Billian Otundo

Dr. Billian Otundo is a postdoctoral researcher at the Cluster of Excellence Africa Multiple and habilitation candidate at the Department of English Linguistics, University of Bayreuth (Germany). She investigates multilingual African learning spaces through translanguaging frameworks, focusing on the intersection of language, identity, and digital innovations in Kenya. Her research integrates quantitative and qualitative methodologies with tools like SPSS, R, Praat, and MAXQDA.

• Co-convener of Postdoctoral Working Groups at Africa Multiple
• Collaborating with University of Cologne’s Phonetic Laboratory on Kenyan English and Kiswahili intonation

Research Interests: Sociolinguistics, World Englishes, Translanguaging, Code-switching, Sociophonetics, Decolonisation of Linguistics Curriculum, and Educational Linguistics. She examines language attitudes, variation in intonation, and inclusion policies in African education systems.

Scientific Awards:

• DFG Postdoctoral Grant (2022)
• TWAS-DFG Cooperation Grant (2021)
• NWO-WOTRO Funding (2018)
• BIGSAS Doctoral Fellowship (2011-2015)

Dr. Otundo actively contributes to academic service as an editorial board member of the Journal of Linguistics, Literary and Communication Studies and the Africa Multiple publication series. She founded the Philippines-Kenya Education Network and consults on inclusive policy design for Kenya’s Bungoma County Government.