The future starts with us

BSL Conference2025

17-18 July 2025

Celebrating 135 years of cultural heritage

Programme

Celebrating 135 years of cultural heritage

Programme

The BSL Conference 2025 is set to be our biggest yet, running from Thursday 17th to Friday 18th July in the heart of Leeds.

Across three packed days, join leading experts, inspiring speakers, and the BSL community for keynote talks, engaging workshops, and thought-provoking discussions exploring the past, present, and future of BSL.

Explore the Full Programme

The celebrations continue on Friday evening with our spectacular 135th Anniversary Gala, bringing everyone together for a night of entertainment.

Wednesday 16th July 2025

Evening Social Event
Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People (LSDBP)

St Mary’s St, Leeds LS9 7DP
5pm-12pm
Please note: Tickets for this event are for Conference ticket-holders only

Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People

Evening Social Event

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Thursday 17th July 2025

View Programme

 

09:00 – 10:00 AM
Registration & Refreshments
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Opening Speech: Welcome to the Conference
Welcome and BDA’s 135th Anniversary
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Plenary Session: Keynote Speaker
“Now and Always Deaf: Safeguarding BSL & Deaf Culture”
Presented by Dr Joseph Murray
11:15 – 11:45 AM
Tea, Coffee, and Refreshments

11:45 AM – 12:25 PM
4 Concurrent Workshops

Building our heritage into tomorrow
Peter Brown
Signing in our Homes: Presentation of the Family Sign at Home project results
Mhairi Simpson &
Gem Fountain
What works in the Economy? – The Evidence
Dr Marco Hafner
Computer Science: AI and Deaf Languaging
Dr Maartje De Meulder
12:30 – 13:30 PM
Lunch Break & Networking
13:30 – 14:30 PM
Plenary Session: Keynote Speaker
“Strength in diversity: Securing the future of distinctive identities in the UK signing community”
Presented by Lydia Gratis

14:30 – 15:10 PM
4 Concurrent Workshops

Building our cultures into society
Helene Jarmer
Why schools should sign: Academic, emotional and linguistic benefits of sign bilingualism
Dr Hannah Anglin-Jaffe
What works in Early Years? – The Evidence
Dr Katie Rogers
Genetic Science: Genetics and Deaf Identities
Professor Anna Middleton
15:10 – 15:30 PM
Break

15:30 – 16:10 PM
4 Concurrent Workshops

Building our identities through the arts/media
Camilla Arnold
Signing in our Communities: Lessons from SEMDC spaces
Tasnim Ahmed
We know who we are: How do we (re)present ourselves to the world?
Dr Jo Atkinson
Political Science: Representation and Campaigning for Deaf Ideologies
Dr Dai O’Brien
16:15 – 17:00 PM
Final Session in the Main Room
“BSL Always and Forever – our past, present and future”
Presented by Dr Robert Adam & Frankie Peron
19:00 – 22:00 PM
Evening Reception
Hosted by the Platinum Sponsor – Queens Hotel Ballroom

Friday 18th July 2025

09:00 – 10:00 AM
Registration & Refreshments
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Opening Speech: Welcome to the Conference
Welcome – Day 2
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Plenary Session: Keynote Speaker
“Here We Are Deaf: Creating and Sustaining Signing Spaces”
Presented by Jeff McWhinney
11:30 – 11:45 AM
Tea, Coffee, and Refreshments

11:45 AM – 12:25 PM
4 Concurrent Workshops

Building our heritage into tomorrow
Peter Brown
Signing in our Homes: Presentation of the Family Sign at Home project results
Mhairi Simpson &
Gem Fountain
What works in the Economy? – The Evidence
Dr Marco Hafner
Computer Science: AI and Deaf Languaging
Dr Maartje De Meulder
12:30 – 13:30 PM
Lunch Break & Networking
13:30 – 14:30 PM
Plenary Session: Keynote Speaker
“Hopes and Fears: What Next Generation Deaf People Want”

14:30 – 15:10 PM
4 Concurrent Workshops

Building our cultures into society
Helene Jarmer
Why schools should sign: Academic, emotional and linguistic benefits of sign bilingualism
Dr Hannah Anglin-Jaffe
What works in Early Years? – The Evidence
Dr Katie Rogers
Genetic Science: Genetics and Deaf Identities
Professor Anna Middleton
15:10 – 15:30 PM
Break

15:30 – 16:10 PM
4 Concurrent Workshops

Building our identities through the arts/media
Camilla Arnold
Signing in our communities: Lessons for the BDA from SEMDC spaces
Tasnim Ahmed
We know who we are: How do we (re)present ourselves to the world?
Dr Jo Atkinson
Political Science: Representation and Campaigning for Deaf Ideologies
Dr Dai O’Brien
16:15 – 17:00 PM
Final Session in the Main Room
Close of Conference and Celebrating our ICH
Presented by Dr Robert Adam

Saturday 19th July 2025

Us

Culture & Arts – What we value

Expressing our amazing signed heritage creatively and with pride.

Here

Place and Community – Where we are.

Signing confidently in our homes, schools and communities.

Now

Society and Identity – What we know.

Reviewing evidence of what works in Early Years, Schools and the Economy.

Always

Science and Power – What we hope.

Assessing benefits and risks of technology and innovation for Deaf-led futures.

These Are

Our Speakers

Brian Watkins

Web Designer - Acme

Judith Flores

Full Stack Developer - Initech

Rose Hawkins

Art Director - Globex

Zachary Scott

Interaction Designer - Soylent

William Hanse

Content Strategist - Hooli

Jane Roberts

Front End Developer - Vehement

Jacob Freeman

UI Designer - Massive Dynamic

Frank Ferguson

Visual Designer - Globex

Jacqueline Knight

Content Strategist - Umbrella IT

Betty Hopkins

UX Designer - Initech

Trusted Hands Behind Us

Our Great Sponsors

BSL Conference 2025

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Be part of the most important conversations shaping the future of BSL and the Deaf Signing community. This isn’t just a conference. It’s a movement. Spaces are limited and demand is high – get your tickets today!

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