Li Wei

Professor Li Wei is the Director and Dean of the UCL Institute of Education and holds a Chair in Applied Linguistics. He leads the Centre for Applied Linguistics and the applied linguistics/TESOL subject group, overseeing MA programs and PhD supervision. His career includes prior leadership roles at Birkbeck College and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

His research focuses on bilingualism and multilingualism, examining childhood language acquisition, cognitive impacts of multilingualism, family/community language policies, and translanguaging pedagogy. Recent projects include a Leverhulme-funded study on childhood bilingualism's effects on brain structure and an AHRC-funded investigation of translanguaging in UK superdiverse wards.

Professor Wei is an editorial leader, contributing to journals like the International Journal of Bilingualism and Applied Linguistics Review. His scientific accolades include fellowships from the British Academy, Academia Europaea, and the Academy of Social Sciences, alongside multiple BAAL book prizes.

The 15 most recent publications highlight translanguaging, cognitive effects of bilingualism, CLIL pedagogy, and multilingual identity. They reflect interdisciplinary approaches, bridging linguistics, neuroscience, and educational theory to address issues in multilingual education and cognitive development.

Scientific Awards:

• Elected Fellow of the British Academy (2021)
• Elected Fellow of Academia Europaea (2021)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (2008)
• BAAL Annual Book Prize (twice)

Teaching and Supervision: He supervises PhD students in bilingualism and multilingualism, with graduates holding academic posts at City University Hong Kong, Cardiff University, and others. His teaching includes MA courses in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, and PGCE Modern Foreign Languages training.