Evolutionary Linguistics Association logo

About

The Evolutionary Linguistics Association (ELA) aims to support research in the field of evolutionary linguistics. Its activities include the organisation of summerschools, workshops and conferences, support in publishing books and articles about evolutionary linguistics, and building a community of researchers in the domain.

Join the ELA community mailing list to receive occasional updates or post your questions.

ELA supports the Computational Models of Language Evolution book series, published by Language Science Press.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

The ELA Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to researchers that have shown great excellence in their contributions to the field of evolutionary linguistics.

Name Institution Year
Andrea Baronchelli City St George's, University of London 2026
Eörs Szathmáry Eötvös University, Budapest / Parmenides Foundation, Pullach, Germany 2024
Pierre-Yves Oudeyer Inria, Bordeaux 2016
Graeme Trousdale University of Edinburgh 2015
James Hurford University of Edinburgh 2014
Chris Knight University College London 2014
Bill Croft University of New Mexico 2013
Bernd Heine University of Cologne 2009

Past event

Making Meaning Through Embodied Language Games

ELA 30th Anniversary Gathering
Paris, France | 12-13 October 2026

The Evolutionary Linguistics Association marked the 30th anniversary of the language game paradigm with a gathering of researchers who have shaped its development.

Get in touch

  • Address

    IELCO vzw
    P.A. AI-lab VUB
    Pleinlaan 2
    1050, Brussels
    Belgium
  • Email

    paul at ai dot vub dot ac dot be
  • Phone

    +32 2 629 37 01