Speakers at the plenary session of the 2026 conference
Dr Angela M. Dadak has worked with English language learners, teachers, and professionals across four continents. She earned her BA with honors from Dartmouth College, her MA in English Language Studies with distinction from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and her PhD in English Studies (writing/rhetoric and sociolinguistics) from Old Dominion University.
Currently, Dr. Dadak serves as a U.S. English Language Fellow, teaching academic, legal, and professional English at the European Humanities University, and organizing a variety of workshops, lectures, and events in the region.
Her current research and teaching interests include second-language writing, artificial intelligence in language learning, linguistic landscapes, and faculty development. She is particularly passionate about critical language awareness and intercultural understanding and exchange.
Alius Avčininkas – an expert teacher of Lithuanian language and literature, co-author of textbooks, and Chair of the Lithuanian Language and Literature Teachers’ Association, as well as an alumnus of the “Renkuosi mokyti!” programme. He actively participates in professional discussions on education policy and the directions of the education system. Through his daily work at school, he views education not only as a field of policy or reform, but also as a living space where individuals are shaped. His primary interests include the significance of a humanities education and the role of the humanities in the contemporary world.
Dr Tomas Butvilas is an assoc. professor and researcher at the Alytus Faculty of Kauno kolegija / Higher Education Institution, Lithuania. His academic work focuses on psychology, social work, education, and research methodology. He actively contributes to higher education through teaching, supervising student research, and conducting scientific studies in areas such as psychosocial support, crisis intervention, and motivation.
Dr. Butvilas also delivers seminars and academic presentations for educators and doctoral students, promoting evidence-based practice and the development of research competencies in social sciences. He is an author and co-author of more than 90 academic international papers and several monographs as well.