I research the role of culture in communication - particularly in the context of health & science topics and educaiton contexts. Specific topics of interest include: the communication of health & science topics in various media through culturally embedded frames and metaphors; how people discuss health & science topics using various media and how their communicative practices may vary across cultures; the role of culture in higher education settings. I have researched issues like obesity, mental health, climate change, sustainability, nitrogen pollution, student diversity and inclusivity using methods and theories from applied linguistics and media & communication studies. I coordinate the Culture and Communication Research Network (CULCOM) - a cross-faculty network at Lancaster University.

I am happy to supervise new PhD research projects in the areas of my interest.

I have worked as a Media Consultant at a media analysis and technology company leading pharma and technology projects. I held research positions at Queen Mary, University of London (School of Languages, Linguistics & Film), University of Sheffield (Information School) and University of Leicester (School of Media, Communication & Sociology) and taught as an Associate Lecturer at University of Leicester (School of Media, Communication & Sociology). I do occasional media consultancy work for private, public and third sector clients.

• Member of the International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) 'Academics & Educators' Special Interest Group. 
• Founding Member of the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL) 'Health & Science Communication' Special Interest Group.
• Regular reviewer of journal articles, book proposals, conference abstracts and funding applications to the UK Research Councils (AHRC, ESRC, MRC and NERC).
  
  
  

Convene: 

• Intercultural Communication (PG, on campus)
• Intercultural Encounters (PG, on campus)
• Corpus-based Discourse Analysis (PG, distance)
• Language and Media (UG, on campus)

Contribute: 

• Professional Communication (UG, on campus)
• Linguistics (UG, on campus)
• English Language (UG, on campus)

Programme administration:

• Director of Studies for Year 2 and 3 Undergraduate Students (October 2024 - present)
• Director of Studies for the MA in Discourse Studies, the MA in Intercultural Communication, and the MA in Language and Linguistics (October 2018 - September 2023)