Priority Area Leadership Fellowship in Modern Languages
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of Arts, English and Languages
Abstract
The leadership dimension of the Fellowship will develop and champion the research agenda in Modern Languages in the UK. I will work with the AHRC and the Modern Languages community to maximise opportunities for Modern Languages research; and I will champion the value of this research beyond the Academy, notably in government. In particular, I will work with the four multi-million pound Open World projects in order to facilitate collaboration in areas of synergy across the projects and to maximise their influence more broadly. I will liaise regularly with the Modern Languages Subject Associations, the heads of Schools of Modern Languages, the Institute of Modern Languages Research, the British Academy and UCML in the promotion of the UK's research strengths in this area and in harnessing emerging strengths. By the end of the Fellowship, I would wish to see Modern Languages research in the UK as vibrant, visible, sustainable, well-supported in terms of funding opportunities and with a clear sense of direction for the future.
The research project associated with the Fellowship will be in the area of language policy in the three devolved administrations. With the research assistant(s) on the project, I will explore language policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on foreign language learning, indigenous languages and heritage languages, seeking to map the current situation, promote dialogue across the three countries, discuss problematic issues and crucially, establish successful strategies for growth in language learning. We will build in discussion of comparators in the area of minoritised languages, notably the Republic of Ireland and France. On the basis of the research findings, we will contribute to UK-wide discussion of language policy, joining up our thinking on the devolved administrations with research led by Prof Wendy Ayres-Bennett (Cambridge: OWRI MEITS project) on policy in England. We will double-badge three language policy workshops with the OWRI MEITS project, hosting one policy workshop in a devolved region of the UK and taking the lead role in organising a major workshop in Westminster at the end of the Fellowship which will push for a UK-wide Languages Strategy at government level.
The research project associated with the Fellowship will be in the area of language policy in the three devolved administrations. With the research assistant(s) on the project, I will explore language policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on foreign language learning, indigenous languages and heritage languages, seeking to map the current situation, promote dialogue across the three countries, discuss problematic issues and crucially, establish successful strategies for growth in language learning. We will build in discussion of comparators in the area of minoritised languages, notably the Republic of Ireland and France. On the basis of the research findings, we will contribute to UK-wide discussion of language policy, joining up our thinking on the devolved administrations with research led by Prof Wendy Ayres-Bennett (Cambridge: OWRI MEITS project) on policy in England. We will double-badge three language policy workshops with the OWRI MEITS project, hosting one policy workshop in a devolved region of the UK and taking the lead role in organising a major workshop in Westminster at the end of the Fellowship which will push for a UK-wide Languages Strategy at government level.
Planned Impact
The main impact of the 'research' side of the post will be in the area of strategic support for language learning and linguistic diversity in the three devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and it will incorporate a comparative element with the Republic of Ireland and France. The project will undertake a critical analysis of current practice in the three devolved administrations and will promote an evidence-based vision of best practice in terms of strategy to achieve the strongest possible outcomes for language learning and support. The findings of the research project will play an important part in discussion of a languages strategy for the UK as a whole, collaborating with the OWRI MEITS project in organising three double-badged policy workshops: one will be held in Cambridge, one in a devolved region and the final workshop in Westminster. I will lead on the 'devolved' element of the strategy workshops. The impact of a coherent languages strategy for the UK as a whole would be immense: it would potentially affect school pupils' choices (improving the uptake of foreign language learning), and support community initiatives that underpin language learning and respect for linguistic diversity, whether in terms of indigenous languages or heritage languages.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Janice Carruthers (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Carruthers J
(2018)
Languages after Brexit
Carruthers J
(2020)
Supporting speakers of community languages: a case study of policy and practice in primary schools
in Current Issues in Language Planning
Henderson L
(2021)
Socio-economic factors, school type and the uptake of languages: Northern Ireland in the wider UK context
in The Language Learning Journal
| Description | The two academic papers published so far show two main findings: Carruthers and Nandi (2020) shows the challenges of promoting and supporting community languages in primary schools in NI. The paper examines a number of relevant factors, including socio-economic factors, the influence of policy (e.g. the fact that there is no statutory languages programme at primary level in NI), the legacy of the NI conflict etc. The lack of support for community languages at primary level shows both factors that are similar to those in the rest of the UK and those that are specific to the NI context. Henderson and Carruthers (2021) shows the influence of school-type and socio-economic status on the uptake of languages at secondary level in NI using a new dataset released by the NI government to the project. The impact of both school-type and socio-economic factors are extremely significant, with serious challenges in the non-selective sector and in schools where the levels of free school meals entitlement is high. The results in this paper are much more stark than in other papers because the dataset is complete and not reliant on voluntary completion. The implications for the viability of languages in certain sectors are serious, as are the implications for the lack of opportunity in this space for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. |
| Exploitation Route | There is room for much more quantitative research on the connection between socio-economic background and the uptake of languages and on the implications for the patterns attested for policy in this space. |
| Sectors | Education |
| Description | The impacts of this award include a major contribution to policy in the area of languages. Specifically, this has involved co-organisation of three policy workshops with academics and senior civil servants and co-authoring of three associated policy briefings (one on Community Languages and Social Cohesion; one on Modern Languages Educational Policy in the UK; one on Languages, Business, Trade and Innovation); collaboration with 5 bodies in building proposals for a national languages strategy ('Towards a National Languages Strategy for the UK. Education and Skills') for the UK which was launched in summer 2020 and is now being taken forward through a steering group of which I am a member. I have also co-organised a Policy Workshop with the Policy Leads in the Northern Ireland Civil Service which focused on how to get Languages into policy-making. Finally, I have also collaborated with other colleagues in supporting the preparation of policy documents, e.g. the Routes Cymru evaluation report, the report from the China Business workshop in the House of Lords. The findings from a Confidential Report on the Barriers to Uptake of Languages were used to inform the NI government's decision to instigate a formal review of grading in languages at GCSE and A level which is currently under way. Finally, one of the outcomes of 'Towards a National Languages Strategy for the UK' has been the creation of a new portal - the Languages Gateway - which offers information on multiple dimensions of language learning: https://www.thelanguagesgateway.uk/ I was part of the core team that created the portal, including chairing the stakeholder group 2020-2022. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | British Academy Language Advisory Group member (the group is advising the BA in the area of Language Policy with a view to the publication of policy documents) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Chair of AHRC panel on Languages in Higher Education |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Description | China Rountable Discussion (House of Lords) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Citation in Five National Academies document on 'Languages in the UK. A Call for Action' |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Languages-UK-2019-academies-statement.pdf |
| Description | Co-leadership of Policy Workshop and co-writing of Policy Briefing on Languages, Business, Trade and Innovation. Workshop held in House of Commons, with participation from senior civil servants, business people from a range of sectors and academics. Policy Briefing published afterwards in collaboration with the participants. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.modernlanguagesleadershipfellow.com/app/uploads/2020/07/POLICY-BRIEFING.-LANGUAGES-BUSIN... |
| Description | Invitation to speak to CCEA Modern Languages Programme Board |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Language Policy Workshop on Community and Indigenous Languages, held in Cambridge in December 2017. A workshop for acadmics and policy makers from England, Scotland, Wales and NI to discuss major issues of language policy. We will publish a policy briefing - not yet available. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Launch of 'Towards a National Languages Strategy for the UK. Education and Skills': 5 way collaboration between AHRC, ASCL, BA, British Council, UUK |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The researcher was a member of the core authorship team and participated in the online launch event in July 2020. This was followed up by co-presenting the recommendations at the APPG for Modern Languages. A steering group is now taking some of the recommendations forwards. This work is ongoing. |
| URL | https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications/towards-national-languages-strategy-education-and-s... |
| Description | Member of 5-way collaboration panel on Language Policy in the UK |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Description | Member of British Academy Languages Advisory Group |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Member of Department of Communities expert panel on the Irish Language |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The NI Department of Communities commissioned an expert advisory group to take forward strategy in the area of the Irish language. The goal was to make Irish language learning more accessible in the Belfast community and to enhance the role of the language in building social cohesion in deprived areas. I was invited as Leadership Fellow to be on the advisory group. The group put together a document containing recommendations but due to the political instability in NI, the recommendations have not yet been actioned. |
| Description | Member of OFqual sub-group on Languages, looking at the question of severe grading in Languages at A level. Ongoing work. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Member of UUK panel on Languages in Higher Education |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Description | Member of steering group for Language Trends NI, 2021 |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Member of steering group of British Academy Arabic Language Mapping Project |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Language_Mapping_Pilot_Project-Arabic_Langua... |
| Description | Organisation of a training day for postdoctoral researchers; and co-organisation of a second with the AHRC. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | This was training for a new cohort of postdoctoral researchers in Modern Languages in research approaches and methodologies. The focus was on (i) working with non-HEI partners in a range of sectors, including education, culture, museums, schools, government; (ii) using new technologies and digital tools in Modern Languages research. 20-25 postdoctoral researchers in ML participated and the training was assisted by around 12 experienced researchers and practitioners working in the relevant sectors (e.g. Museums, Creative Arts etc.). |
| Description | Organisation of postdoctoral and doctoral workshop on careers |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Improved skills for job applications and interviews for a cohort of 20-25 postdocs and doctoral students in languages. Part of the training was in applying for academic posts (with a panel of experienced academics in languages and education); part was training in grant applications; part was REF readiness training; part was training in how to articulate their skills when applying for posts outside academia, i.e. in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in Business. |
| Description | Overcoming Barriers to the Uptake of Languages in Northern Ireland Schools |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Part-funded/commissioned evaluation report on language policy in Wales |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | My Fellowship part-funded the evaluation of Routes into Cymru which is a mentoring initiative to improve uptake of languages at GCSE in Wales. The statistics cited in the report broadly endorsed the policies adopted by Routes Cymru. The evaluation was an important step as the interventions in Wales can now constitute a precedent for other initiatives in other parts of the UK. Indeed the DfE in England has adopted broadly the same methodology in a mentoring scheme launched in Yorkshire. |
| URL | https://ucml.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/201/2018/12/Evaluation-report-Routes-into-Languages-Cymr... |
| Description | Policy Briefing and Workshop on Community Languages and Social Cohesion |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.modernlanguagesleadershipfellow.com/app/uploads/2018/08/POLICYBRIEFINGCOMMUNITYLANGUAGES... |
| Description | Policy Briefing and Workshop on Modern Languages Educational Policy in the UK |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.modernlanguagesleadershipfellow.com/app/uploads/2019/01/Policy-Briefing-on-Modern-Langua... |
| Description | Policy Training Workshop for Policy Leads in the Northern Ireland Civil Service |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Policy Workshop on Languages, Business, Trade and Innovation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Policy briefing document for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on the Irish Language, setting language policy in a broader UK/international context. |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Steering Group for Language Trends Northern Ireland |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Submission to CCEA Review of Grading of Modern Languages GCSEs in Northern Ireland |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Submission to Ofqual Review of Grading at GCSE in Modern Languages |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Submission with Prof C. Forsdick to the Ofqual Review of Grading in Modern Languages at GCSE. One of several Higher Education contributions (3-5) to the Review, with several other submissions. We were both members of the HE subgroup in the consultation. HE submissions were viewed alongside statistical evidence and submissions from secondary sector. Announcement made in November 2019 that there was to be a grading adjustment in both French and German at GCSE. This will have a positive effect on the grades for all pupils taking GCSE French and German in England for the foreseeable future (over 170000 pupils per year). |
| Description | Follow-on funding Priority Area Leadership Fellowship |
| Amount | £125,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | A presentation to and discussion with School of Modern Languages staff at the University of Exeter on AHRC funding for ML research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a talk and discussion at the School of Modern Languages in Exeter. I gave a presentation on funded research in Modern Languages at the AHRC, including upcoming opportunities for linguists. There was a discussion on the issue, including how to tackle problematic areas such as doctoral recruitment, The talk was part of a series of similar talks to different Modern Languages constituencies. Taken together, these presentations and discussions contributed to (i) my ongoing discussions with the AHRC Language Advisory Group about the future of ML as a strategic priority area; (ii) my discussions with the Directors of AHRC Doctoral Training Centres which in turn resulted in a paper with recommendations and guidelines designed to increase the number of doctoral students in languages. The School also organised a workshop where they presented research projects that are funded by the AHRC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | A talk with M. O'Mainnin to the NITOBE conference on Language Policy after 'New Decade New Approach' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | With M.O'Mainnin I presented a paper on Language Policy in Northern Ireland after New Decade New Approach (the policy document that returned government to NI in 2020). This sparked a discussion around language policy, including international comparators and contexts of conflict. Belfast City Council contacted me afterwards and we are engaged in further activity in the Language Policy space, particularly around implementation of their Language Strategy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Address to School Principals in Northern Ireland on position of German |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Meeting for School Principals across Northern Ireland on the position of German in the curriculum. Attended by German Embassy and Goethe Institute. Discussion of ways in which German can be facilitated and supported in NI schools. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Article for the Magazine 'The Linguist' on my role as Leadership Fellow for ML. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This is an article about my role as Modern Languages Leadership Fellow with the AHRC which was commissioned by the magazine The Linguist. The Linguist is read by practitioners - translators, interpreters, teachers etc. The article talks about my role and the Open World Research projects, funded by the AHRC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Chair of and speaker at panel on Language Policy (AHRC Translating Cultures event at British Academy) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I chaired a panel and was a speaker with two colleagues who also have national roles in the languages community. The panel was on the impact of the AHRC's Translating Cultures programme on language policy in the UK, especially in shaping the research agenda of the discipline. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Classroom intervention and Immersion Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Part One of Ambassadors programme involving undergraduates and school pupils. Part one involves classroom interventions with GCSE classes; and an immersion afternoon at Queen's University Belfast. Four schools involved, with around 50 students each, so a total of around 200. Team of 8 final year students involved as language ambassadors. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| Description | Co-ordination and roll-out of a school Ambassadors and Mentoring scheme for Languages |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | This was an Ambassadors programme designed to promote Languages uptake at A level. In a range of schools in 4 regions of the UK, involving a team of undergraduate Ambassadors working with GCSE classes. The programme involved two classroom interventions by the Ambassadors; one university visit in each of the regions by GCSE pupils, with sample classes; an intensive mentoring programme with language undergraduates working with GCSE language learners who are NOT committed to taking a language at A level. The rate of uptake at A level improved substantially across the board, with the mentoring showing particularly impressive results: 29% of all those mentored (who were by definition not committed to taking a language) actually took a language at A level. The programme was evaluated by an independent expert in the field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| URL | http://www.meits.org/news/item/owri-student-language-ambassador-programme |
| Description | Co-organisation of and Presentation at Conference on UK Language Policy after Brexit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Circa 60 pupils attended conference which I co-organised and at which I gave a paper with Wendy Ayres-Bennett. The paper sparked questions and discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Conference paper with L. Henderson on Language Learners' Trajectories (ECER, Geneva) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference paper on young people's trajectories in language learning - their pathway and choices from early secondary school through to university |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Focus group with Heads of Languages Departments in Northern Ireland to identify problems and actions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Focus group with Heads of Languages across a selected number of NI schools. Objective was to establish what urgent action is needed to address problems in recruitment into languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | International conference paper on Language Education Policy in NI, jointly with L. Henderson |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | International conference paper at the European Educational Research Association conference in Hamburg |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | International conference paper on Language Education Policy in NI, jointly with L. Henderson |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference on Educational Policy in relation to Languages at conference in Queen's Belfast on UK Language Policy after Brexit. Jointly with L Henderson. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | International conference paper on Language Education Policy in NI, jointly with L. Henderson |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | International conference paper on Language Assessement at the Association for Educational Assessment conference in Lisbon. Henderson and Carruthers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Interview for BBC Radio Ulster |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview with BBC Radio Ulster's Flagship morning news programme on the BBC Languages Report |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0002qm2 |
| Description | Interview for BBC Radio Ulster on CCEA Review of GCSE Languages Grading |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview was to explain the significance of CCEA's announcement of a review of grading at GCSE in French, German, Irish and Spanish. It sparked discussion with the journalists on why it was important for the uptake of languages to remove the perceived barrier of severe grading. It encouraged stakeholders to engage with the review. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Interview with 'Bridging the Gap' project on how Modern Languages Research can engage with non-HEIs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was an interview with Dr Christina Horvath and Liz Baines for the 'Bridging the Gap' project, funded by the AHRC. In the interview I talk about the innovative ways in which Modern Languages researchers can engage with non-HEIs in a variety of sectors. In particular, I talked about the four AHRC-funded Open World projects. Liz Baines then wrote the interview up as a blog which was published online. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.gw4bridgingthegap.com/languages-and-collaborative-research-thoughts-from-professor-janice... |
| Description | Invited Plenary at Conference on Language learning |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited plenary lecture at Conference on Language Learning and Teaching. Sparked questions and debate and will influence publications from the project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited panel participation at British Council event: 'Schools Think Next' on Intercultural education |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Several hundred people attended this online event which was organised by the British Council's London office. The purpose was to consider how we might best embed intercultural education in the school system, with a particular focus on the importance of languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Invited panel participation at launch of Language Trends Northern Ireland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Participation on panel for the launch of the Language Trends Northern Ireland Report. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited presentation at event on Belfast City Council Language Strategy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation at event organised by Belfast City Council to help promote their Language Strategy |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited speaker at CCEA-organised event on Languages in Northern IReland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation at an event about the Future of Languages organised by CCEA, the main examining body for NI. Audience made up of stakeholders, particularly teachers and policy makers. Sparked discussion, particularly on policy and grading. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited speaker at UCMLS conference on language policy and practice in Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Around 100 people attended my plenary talk at the annual conference of the University Council for Modern Languages in Scotland. The talk sparked debate on language policy in both Northern Ireland and Scotland, discussing the benefits and challenges of different policies. The discussion fed into wider debate at national level about language policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited talk/position paper at a debate on Language Activism and Education at King's College London, organised by the Language Acts OWRI project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I was one of three invited speakers at this debate on Language Activism and Education organised by the Language Acts Open World project. I gave one of three position papers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/language-acts-and-worldmaking-debates-language-education-activism-tic... |
| Description | Meeting with the Presidents of the Languages Learned Societies in the UK, i.e. the main representatives of UK researchers in ML. Held at the Senate House, University of London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In 2017 I took part in this meeting/workshop and in 2018 chaired it. It is an annual meeting/workshop to bring together the leaders of the main Languages Learned Societies in the UK to talk about issues of current concern and to develop strategies to address problematic issues facing the discipline, including the shape of the discipline, student recruitment, post-Brexit complexities such as the future of Erasmus and European research funding. One of the upshots was better communication with colleagues in Area Studies and Linguistics, whom we invited to the 2018 meeting. There was also discussion around the need for a national languages strategy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| Description | Member of a panel for a debate organised by the Cross Language Dynamics OWRI project at the Institute of Modern Languages Research, Univ of London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I was part of a panel of 4 academics who took part in a debate on the shape of the discipline of ML, in particular, the relationship between linguistics and Modern Languages. This took place at a workshop entitled 'Language Communities and Moving Borders' and was organised by one of the Open World projects, Cross Language Dynamics, at the IMLR in London. There was much discussion and an agreement to continue the dialogue between researchers in linguistics and modern languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://crosslanguagedynamics.blogs.sas.ac.uk/event/language-communities-and-moving-borders/ |
| Description | Member of an expert panel at the British Academy on Mapping Arabic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I was a member of the British Academy expert panel which was engaged in mapping the provision of Arabic around the UK. We produced a report which will be published in late March/early April 2018. We met four times and worked on the details of the report between meetings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| Description | Organisation and funding of Public Lecture on Language Policy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk by Professor Doug Kibbee of the University of Illinois, given at Queen's University Belfast, sponsored by this grant |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Panel debate with the Heads of Schools of Modern Languages around the UK. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a panel debate about the future of the discipline of Modern Languages. I was invited to speak and then participate in the discussion. Issues ranged from the shape of the discipline, to student recruitment, to post-Brexit complexities such as the future of Erasmus and European research funding. I also spoke about the AHRC's funding of Modern Languages and funding opportunities for Linguists. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Paper with L. Henderson on young people's decision making in relation to uptake of languages (Oslo) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference paper, with L. Henderson, delivered online (Oslo) on young people's decision-making in relation to the uptake of languages: the experiential and attitudinal factors that influence decisions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Participation in a panel debate on the shape and future of Modern Languages at the University Council of Modern Languages plenary session |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I was a member of an invited panel to discuss the shape and future of the discipline of Modern Languages by the University Council for Medern Languages (UCML). The debate sparked considerable discussion about the shape of the discipline, particularly around interdisciplinary work and collaboration with non-HEIs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Plenary talk at Conference on Languages Education, Groningen, Holland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I gave a plenary lecture and around 60 researchers (postgraduate students and other researchers) attended from different parts of Europe. This sparked an interesting discussion on the effects of different education policies around Europe on the uptake of languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation on Community Languages at conference on UK Language Policy after Brexit, Queen's University Belfast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Paper presented by A. Nandi on our joint research on Community Languages. Sparked lively date and informed subsequent publications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation on Community Languages at international Conference in Cork (by A.Nandi on joint research) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference paper at international conference on Linguistic Diversity |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation on Community Languages at international Conference in Galway (by A.Nandi on joint research) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Paper at annual IRAAL conference in Galway |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation to School Principals on Modern Languages in Northern Ireland (at QUB Head Teachers' Forum) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Invitation from Vice Chancellor of QUB to address Head Teachers in Northern Ireland about the position of Modern Languages and to discuss solutions to current issues |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation to and discussion with School of Modern Languages staff in University of Shefflield on Research funding for ML at the AHRC and opportunities for Linguists |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I gave a presentation on funded research in Modern Languages at the AHRC, including upcoming opportunities for linguists. There was a discussion on the issue, including how to tackle problematic areas such as doctoral recruitment, The talk was part of a series of similar talks to different Modern Languages constituencies. Taken together, these presentations and discussions contributed to (i) my ongoing discussions with the AHRC Language Advisory Group about the future of ML as a strategic priority area; (ii) my discussions with the Directors of AHRC Doctoral Training Centres which in turn resulted in a paper with recommendations and guidelines designed to increase the number of doctoral students in languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation to colleagues in Languages at Queen's University Belfast on Research funding for ML at the AHRC and opportunities for Linguists |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a talk at Queen's University Belfast for the School of Modern Languages - staff, postdocs and postgraduate students. I gave a presentation on funded research in Modern Languages at the AHRC, including upcoming opportunities for linguists. There was a discussion on the issue, including how to tackle problematic areas such as doctoral recruitment, The talk was part of a series of similar talks to different Modern Languages constituencies. Taken together, these presentations and discussions contributed to (i) my ongoing discussions with the AHRC Language Advisory Group about the future of ML as a strategic priority area; (ii) my discussions with the Directors of AHRC Doctoral Training Centres which in turn resulted in a paper with recommendations and guidelines designed to increase the number of doctoral students in languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation to colleagues in Languages at the University of Swansea on Research funding for ML at the AHRC and opportunities for Linguists |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a presentation and discussion at the University of Swansea. I gave a presentation on funded research in Modern Languages at the AHRC, including upcoming opportunities for linguists. There was a discussion on the issue, including how to tackle problematic areas such as doctoral recruitment, The talk was part of a series of similar talks to different Modern Languages constituencies. Taken together, these presentations and discussions contributed to (i) my ongoing discussions with the AHRC Language Advisory Group about the future of ML as a strategic priority area; (ii) my discussions with the Directors of AHRC Doctoral Training Centres which in turn resulted in a paper with recommendations and guidelines designed to increase the number of doctoral students in languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation to researchers at Newcastle University on AHRC funding for languages |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A talk to researchers at the University of Newcastle about AHRC funding for languages projects and about new developments in language policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation to the Executive Committee of the Society for French Studies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a presentation followed by discussion on the current state of research in French Studies in the UK. It sparked a lot of discussion, particularly around doctoral research and led to an invitation to speak to the full Society for French Studies conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation to the Heads of German departments in UK universitues on Research funding for ML at the AHRC and opportunities for Linguists (held at Senate House, University of London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a presentation to the Heads of German departments in UK universities. Of all the language area, German is currently experiencing the greatest issues around sustainability. My talk related mainly to funded research in Modern Languages at the AHRC, including upcoming opportunities for linguists. There was a discussion on the issue, including how to tackle problematic areas such as undergraduate and doctoral recruitment, The talk was part of a series of similar talks to different Modern Languages constituencies. Taken together, these presentations and discussions contributed to (i) my ongoing discussions with the AHRC Language Advisory Group about the future of ML as a strategic priority area; (ii) my discussions with the Directors of AHRC Doctoral Training Centres which in turn resulted in a paper with recommendations and guidelines designed to increase the number of doctoral students in languages. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Radio Interview with Talk Radio (Matthew Wright) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview with Talk Radio's Matthew Wright on the BBC Languages Survey |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Short talk on the importance of Languages at opening of Creative Multilingualism OWRI conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a brief talk on the value of languages given as part of the opening event of the Creative Multilingualism project in Jan 2017. Creative Multilingualism is one of the Open World Research Initiative projects funded by the AHRC, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Speaker and co-organiser of Policy event in Westminster with MPs and Peers: Languages and the Future of the UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Around 60 MPs, peers and senior civil servants attended this event on Languages and the Future of the Uk which was sponsored by Stephen Kinnock MP. I co-organised the event and spoke at it. It sparked much discussion amongst MPs and peers and subsequent discussions are under way relating to some of the proposals made at the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2018-11-29a.440.3&s=modern+languages#g477.2 |
| Description | Speaker and panel chair at 'Leathes at 100' event in the British Academy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I spoke at and chaired panels at this event in the British Academy (Leathes at 100). The panel was looking at current issues in Modern Languages both within and beyond the academy and included senior civil servants, schools and representatives of the business community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | TV interview with BBC Look North on the BBC Languages Survey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC TV Interview with Look North on the BBC Languages Survey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | TV interview with BBC Northern Ireland on the BBC Languages Survey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC Ni TV interview with Education Correspondent Robbie Meredith. Interview on the BBC Languages Survey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Talk and participation in a panel on the Future of French at the Society for French Studies Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a panel in collaboration with the British Academy and REF on the future of French in the UK. It sparked a debate about current issues and possible actions in terms of policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Talk on Modern Languages research in the UK at international conference on Modern Languages and World Literature, Leeds 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Session at an international conference on the state of research in Modern Languages in the UK, including research funding. I have a talk, alongside two other colleagues and this was followed by discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Talk on Research in Modern Languages funded by the AHRC and Opportunities for Researchers for the Society for Italian Studies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a presentation to the Society for Italian Studies at the Italian Embassy in London. Around 60 people attended - a mix of academics, postgraduates, postdocs and staff from the Embassy. I gave a presentation on funded research in Modern Languages at the AHRC, including upcoming opportunities for linguists. There was a discussion on the issue, including how to tackle problematic areas such as doctoral recruitment, The talk was part of a series of similar talks to different Modern Languages constituencies. Taken together, these presentations and discussions contributed to (i) my ongoing discussions with the AHRC Language Advisory Group about the future of ML as a strategic priority area; (ii) my discussions with the Directors of AHRC Doctoral Training Centres which in turn resulted in a paper with recommendations and guidelines designed to increase the number of doctoral students in languages. This specific talk also resulted in a further invitation to the University of Leeds (2018) to speak to colleagues across all language areas about AHRC funding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |