I draw on theories and methods from applied linguistics, media & communication studies and sociology. I research health & science communication (particularly the topics of obesity, mental health, climate change, sustainability, nitrogen pollution) and developments in news journalism. I am especially interested in the communication of health & science topics in various media (especially through culturally-embedded frames and metaphors) and in how people discuss health & science topics using various media (and how their communicative practices may vary across cultures). I am increasingly interested in the growing influence of positive psychology in linguistics (e.g. Positive Discourse Analysis vs Critical Discourse Analysis), health & science communication (e.g. through the emphasis on wellness and recovery in mental health) and news journalism (e.g. in terms of constructive reporting).
I am happy to supervise new PhD research projects and I am interested in the following areas: media representations of health and science issues; mediated communication about health and science; metaphor in discourses of health and science; new media genres, particularly examples of constructive journalism; country-comparative studies of the above topics.
Prior to Lancaster, I worked as a Media Consultant at a media analysis and technology company leading pharma and technology projects; I also 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 on undergraduate and postgraduate modules as an Associate Lecturer at University of Leicester (School of Media, Communication & Sociology).
Convene:
- LING232 Understanding Media (UG)
- LING217 Language in the Workplace (UG)
- LING443 Intercultural Communication (PG)
- LING445 Intercultural Encounters (PG)
Contribute:
- LING102 English Language (UG)
- LING301a Dissertation Preparation (UG)
- I have previously contributed to LING204 Discourse Analysis (UG), LING214 Corporate Communication (UG) and LING531 Trends & Issues in Language Teaching Methodology (PG).
Programme administration:
- Director of Studies for the MA in Discourse Studies, the MA in English Language and Literary Studies, the MA in Intercultural Communication, and the MA in Language and Linguistics
- Acting Director of Studies for the PhD by Thesis and Coursework programme (Term 1, 2017/18)
