Methods in Dialectology is a triennial conference that traditionally alternated between Canada and Europe. In recent years, locations have been extended to reflect traditions as well as changes in hubs of dialectological activities - thus, Methods has been to Japan (Tachikawa, Methods XVI in 2017) and will move "down under" (Melbourne) in 2024.
Originally a forum for the discussion of methodological issues in dialect research, Methods conferences have progressively extended their topical range and now include the whole spectrum of regional, historical, and social language variation. The Methods series welcomes contributions investigating any of the world’s languages.
Each conference typically has a theme which reflects the location or a particularly relevant topic of the time. Past themes included "(Dia)lects in the 21st century" (Mainz, 2022) or "Dialect Contact, Acquisition and Innovation" (Tachikawa, 2017).