Dear colleagues, fellow researchers, and members of the ISCA community,

We are thrilled to announce our official bid to host INTERSPEECH 2029 in one of the most magical cities on Earth: Granada, Spain. This is not just a bid; it is a celebration. The year 2029 marks the 30th anniversary of INTERSPEECH, and what better way to celebrate this milestone than by bringing the conference to Spain for the very first time? Together, we aim to write a new chapter in the history of our global speech community.

Location and Venue

Granada is a historic, safe, and vibrant city where history, beauty, and technology converge. Attendees will enjoy excellent connectivity via high-speed trains and international airports, including Málaga-Costa del Sol. The Palacio de Congresos de Granada, centrally located, will host the conference, offering state-of-the-art facilities for plenaries, parallel sessions, exhibitions, and poster areas. Hotels, restaurants, and cultural landmarks are all within walking distance, ensuring convenience for participants.

Conference Theme

The proposed theme, “A 30-Year Journey: From the Past’s Echoes to the Future’s Voices”, celebrates three decades of speech science while emphasizing collaboration, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue. Granada’s multicultural heritage mirrors this vision, making it the perfect backdrop to honor past achievements, explore contemporary innovations, and envision future breakthroughs. Keynotes, plenaries, panels, and interactive sessions will highlight historical evolution, diversity, and the ethical and societal dimensions of speech technologies.

Scientific Programme

The programme will combine Interspeech’s traditional strengths with forward-looking formats: peer-reviewed oral and poster sessions, tutorials, workshops, industrial tracks, satellite events, and a Doctoral Consortium. Emerging areas such as ethical AI, low-resource languages, accessibility, and multimodal systems will be actively encouraged, ensuring a globally inclusive and scientifically rigorous conference.

Organizing Excellence

The conference will be led by General Chairs Iván López-Espejo and Zoraida Callejas (University of Granada) and Helena Moniz (INESC-ID / University of Lisbon), with Technical Programme Co-Chairs Alfonso Ortega and Eduardo Lleida (University of Zaragoza), and Abeer Alwan (UCLA), and a Local Organizing Committee of leading Iberian researchers. Our Advisory Group, led by John H. L. Hansen, guarantees international credibility and guidance.

About the University of Granada

Founded in 1531, the University of Granada (UGR) is one of Spain’s largest and most prestigious universities, with more than 60,000 students and over 6,000 faculty members. The UGR has been awarded the “Human Resources Excellence in Research (HRS4R)” distinction, reflecting its firm commitment to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment. Internationally recognized for its research excellence and innovation, the UGR consistently ranks among the top Spanish universities in national and international indicators. The 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) positions the UGR within the 301–400 range worldwide and among the top 3–8 universities in Spain. It also excels globally in areas such as Computer Science & Engineering, Mathematics, and Statistics, and counts three researchers among the world’s Highly Cited Researchers (HCR). With over 110 projects funded under Horizon Europe and a total of €33 million in research funding, the UGR stands as a dynamic and internationally engaged institution. Its strong tradition in science, technology, and intercultural collaboration makes it the perfect academic anchor for hosting INTERSPEECH 2029.

Cultural and Societal Enrichment

Granada offers an unforgettable cultural experience: from the majestic Alhambra and historic Albaicín quarter to flamenco performances and the city’s renowned tapas. Nature lovers can enjoy the Sierra Nevada and Costa Tropical within an hour’s drive. Initial funding from local and regional institutions, along with support from industry and research hubs, ensures broad participation, including early-career researchers.

Conclusion

From September 2nd to 6th, 2029, we invite the global speech community to experience the magic of Granada. Our team is ready to deliver a professional, inclusive, and world-class INTERSPEECH that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future of speech science. Together, let’s make INTERSPEECH 2029 a milestone to remember.