AI in Writing Pedagogy
Shaping Instruction in a Changing Landscape.
Over the past few years, the emergence of generative AI has transformed how we read, write, teach, and learn. What began as a technological breakthrough has rapidly become a cultural shift, reshaping the ways ideas are created, refined, and communicated across languages, genres and disciplines. This shift is raising urgent questions for educators and students: what kinds of writing matter now, and what new literacies and pedagogies are needed to work with these tools critically and creatively?
This international conference marks the culmination of AI Write, a four-year Erasmus+ project exploring innovative, ethical, and inclusive ways of integrating AI into academic writing and the pedagogy of writing. Bringing together educators, researchers, and practitioners from across disciplines, the event aims to provide a forum to critically examine how AI is changing what it means to write, to teach writing, and to learn as writers.
Further details about the conference, including the call for papers, submission guidelines, and practical information, can be found on the following pages.
Conference registration
Registration deadline: 17 May 2026
Please ensure you select the appropriate category.
Plenary Speakers
Thomas Mandl
Thomas Mandl is a professor of information science at the University of Hildesheim in Germany, where his research explores the intersection of technology and human behaviour. His work spans several key areas, including information literacy, information retrieval, and human-computer interaction (HCI). He is currently leading projects on timely topics such as Hate Speech Detection, Image Analysis in the Digital Humanities, and the use of AI in education. He has widely published his findings and presents his work at national and international conferences.
Marije Michel
Marije Michel is a professor of second language acquisition (SLA) and language learning at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Her research explores the cognitive processes and social interactions that underpin language learning, with a particular focus on task-based language teaching (TBLT) and the use of eye-tracking technology to study language processing. She is currently investigating the role of digitally mediated learning and the well-being of newcomers in the Netherlands. Her publications and academic presentations offer critical perspectives on the future of language education.
Steven L. Thorne
Steven L. Thorne is a professor of second language acquisition at Portland State University in USA. His research explores the intersection of language, culture, and technology, focusing on cultural-historical and usage-based approaches to language development and language use. His current projects examine technology-mediated language learning in both formal and informal settings as well as indigenous language maintenance and revitalization. A prolific author, Steven has presented at numerous national and international conferences, offering cutting-edge insights into technology-mediated language learning.
Travel and accommodation
How to travel and find your way to campus
Visiting address
Mälardalens universitet, Universitetsplan 1, Västerås.
From Arlanda to Västerås
The easiest way to travel from Arlanda Airport to Västerås is by direct bus or by train.
Travel by direct bus with Vy Bus4you & Vy Express External link.
Travel by train with SJ External link.
Public transport
Train: The university is located approximately 25 minutes' walk from Västerås Central Station.
Book trains with SJ External link.
Bus: If you are travelling by bus in Västerås, the nearest stop is Universitetet. Bus line 2, 6, 21 stops outside campus.
Travel by bus with VL External link.
Car
There are limited parking facilities at Västerås campus. Free parking is available approximately 15 minutes north of the campus at ABB Arena Syd.
Map
Hotels in Västerås
Best Western Plus Hotel Plaza
Single room 1 495 SEK/person/night.
Use the booking code when contacting the hotel: MDUAI26
16 minutes' walk from campus
Kopparbergsvägen 10, Västerås
Contact: info@plazavasteras.se | +46 (0)21-10 10 10
Best Western Plus Hotel Plaza External link.
Best Western Hotel Esplanade (recommended for students)
13 minutes' walk from campus
Domkyrkoesplanaden 2, Västerås
Contact: info@esplanadevasteras.se | +46 (0)21-495 58 00
Hotel Esplanade External link.
Comfort Hotel Västerås
22 minutes' walk from campus, next to the train station
Sigurdsgatan 23, Västerås
Contact: co.vasteras@strawberry.se | +46 (0)21-580 10 10
Comfort Hotel Västerås External link.
Fun facts about MDU and Västerås
MDU is Sweden’s newest university, located in the dynamic growth region of Mälardalen. We have around 1,200 employees and approximately 20,000 students enrolled in courses and programmes in areas such as design and communication, economics, health, engineering, education, as well as classical music and opera.
Our research spans all educational fields and is internationally recognised, particularly in areas such as future energy and embedded systems. The majority of our research is conducted in collaboration with industry and the public sector.
The city by Lake Mälaren, the energy capital, the city of engineers, the cucumber city, the small big city – a beloved city goes by many names. Västerås has more than 160,000 inhabitants, over 13,000 businesses, and every day around 32,000 children and young people attend preschool, primary school or upper secondary school.
Västerås boasts a strong industrial heritage with a large number of engineers and invests heavily in research and development. Companies such as ABB, Alstom, Westinghouse, Voith Hydro and Hitachi Energy make Västerås a world-leading centre for energy expertise. Robotics and automation are also areas of competence that have long been established here.
Find out more about Västerås
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