Karen Forbes

Karen Forbes is Associate Professor in Second Language Education at the University of Cambridge and Fellow at Homerton College. Her research investigates language learning strategies, multilingual identity development, and school language policies, particularly for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners.

She co-leads the MEITS project examining how multilingual identity influences foreign language learning. Current work includes mapping language policies across multilingual secondary schools and studying language development in immigrant students.

Forbes teaches across postgraduate programmes including the MPhil in Second Language Education and research methods courses. Her publications analyze cross-linguistic strategy transfer, multilingual identity interventions, and policy frameworks for linguistically diverse classrooms.