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Kasey ZapatkaView profile

Lecturer

• Urban sociology
• Housing affordability
• Gentrification
• +6 more

Dr. Kasey Zapatka is a Postdoctoral Scholar and Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, and affiliated with the Institute of Governmental Studies. His research focuses on urban inequality, housing affordability, gentrification, and neighborhood change, employing quantitative methods such as spatial econometrics and machine learning. He holds a PhD in Sociology from The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, with a dissertation on housing affordability's spatial and longitudinal dimensions. Education: PhD in Sociology, CUNY Graduate Center (2023) MA in Sociology, Fordham University (2014) BA in Spanish Literature and Language, Point Loma Nazarene University (2010) Research Interests: Zapatka's work examines how housing policies and neighborhood dynamics shape socioeconomic disparities. Key topics include rent regulation's impact on affordability, gentrification's spillover effects, and immigrant integration in suburban areas. He has contributed to public-facing projects like the Housing Literacy website and collaborates on longitudinal eviction databases to study displacement. Teaching: He co-teaches a year-long graduate course on Computational Social Science, covering machine learning, causal inference, and data visualization in R/Python. Previously taught Sociological Statistics at CUNY and Hunter College. Awards: Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy Fellow (2021-2022) Altman Dissertation Fellowship (2021-2022) Digital Publics Fellow (2017-2019) Grants and Projects: Developed a longitudinal eviction database with Tim Thomas to assess pandemic-era housing interventions. Collaborated on the Superdiversity project visualizing New York's demographic changes and co-authored influential studies on rent stabilization and gentrification sequences.

Tongshan ChangView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Undergraduate Admissions
• Student Success
• Higher Education Policy
• +4 more

Tongshan Chang is a Senior Researcher at the SERU Consortium within the Center for Studies in Higher Education at UC Berkeley and an Adjunct Professor at Tongji University and Xi’an Foreign Language Studies University in China. He holds dual roles as Director of Institutional Research and Academic Planning at the University of California Office of the President and Consultant to UC Systemwide Academic Senate Committees. His work focuses on undergraduate admissions, student experience, and higher education data systems. Education: Bachelor’s in English Language and Literature (Shaanxi Normal University) Three Master’s Degrees: Educational Psychology (Shaanxi Normal University), Higher Education Administration (West Virginia University), and Computer Science (West Virginia University) PhD in Educational Leadership with a minor in Statistics (West Virginia University) Research Interests: Student learning outcomes assessment Diversity and equity in admissions Graduate student well-being Data-driven institutional planning Key Contributions: His 2017 study on pre-college extracurricular activities’ impact on college success revealed correlations between early engagement and academic persistence, influencing admissions policy and outreach strategies. He advises Peking University’s College Entrance Examination Research Board and China’s Ministry of Education on quality review frameworks. Professional Activities: Former Chair of the Overseas Chinese Association for Institutional Research and Treasurer of the California Association for Institutional Research. He previously managed World Bank-funded educational projects in Shaanxi Province and taught in high schools.

• Translation Studies
• Language Teaching
• Foreign Language Education
• +3 more

Mari Maya Medina is a Lecturer in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures and a Research Student in the School of Education at Durham University. She holds a background in Translation and Interpreting Studies (Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona) and specialized in Legal Translation (Autonomous University of Barcelona). Her MA by Research focused on Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, completed jointly at the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University. Her professional experience includes teaching Spanish in secondary schools (North East of England), the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and the University of Sunderland. She has also worked as a professional legal translator. At Durham, she teaches undergraduate Spanish language courses, supervises translation projects in the MA in Translation Studies, and contributes to semi-specialised translation modules. Medina serves as the DELE Examinations Officer at Durham, an External Examiner, and an approved UNILANG examiner. Her research interests span language education, translation pedagogy, and certification processes in language learning.

Cedric Joseph OlivaView profile

Associate Professor

• Second Language Acquisition
• Romance Linguistics
• Language Pedagogy
• +3 more

Dr. Cedric Joseph Oliva is an Associate Professor of Communication and Language Studies at Bryant University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. He previously held roles as Visiting Assistant Professor at St. Lawrence University and Director of the Less Commonly Taught Languages Program. At California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), he served as Language Program and Teaching Associate Program Coordinator, overseeing six languages and training over 120 teaching associates. Dr. Oliva holds a Ph.D. from the University of Corsica (co-directed at CSULB), alongside multiple MA and BA degrees from institutions including the University of Corsica and Stendhal University. His research focuses on multilingual pedagogy, intercomprehension strategies for Romance languages, and leveraging bilingualism (Spanish/English) to enhance L3 learning. He has authored/co-authored textbooks such as Juntos: Italian/French for Speakers of English and Spanish and presented widely at conferences like ACTFL and the University of Puerto Rico. His teaching spans French, Italian, and linguistics, with expertise in advanced topics like Francophone studies and language for professionals. He emphasizes culturally responsive pedagogy and has developed curricula for diverse student populations, particularly Hispanic-serving institutions. Professional affiliations include the American Council for Teachers of Foreign Languages and the Modern Language Association.

William M. Jones Jr.View profile

Professor

• High Performance Computing (HPC)
• Fault Tolerance
• Resilience Engineering
• +5 more

Dr. William M. Jones Jr. is a Professor in the Department of Computing Sciences at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) since 2017. He concurrently serves as a Guest Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and is the founder of the LANL-CCU Collaboration initiative, established in 2007. His roles include HPC Visiting Scholar/Sabbatical at LANL (2025–present) and Guest Scientist at LANL (2023–present). Former positions include Department Chair of Computing Sciences at CCU (2012–2018) and Assistant Professor at the U.S. Naval Academy (2006–2008). Education: Ph.D. & M.S. in Computer Engineering (2005, 2000, Clemson University); B.S. in Computer Engineering (1999, Clemson University); B.A. in Spanish (2017, Coastal Carolina University). Research focuses on resilience and fault tolerance in HPC systems, including soft error mitigation, parallel computing optimization, and applied machine learning. He leads collaborative projects with LANL, emphasizing high-performance computing and student research engagement. Key contributions include the LANL-CCU partnership, yielding numerous publications and external funding since 2007. Articles highlight advancements in HPC resilience, machine learning applications, and fault tolerance, with recent trends emphasizing spatio-temporal modeling and statistical frameworks for system reliability. His work also extends to language pedagogy, with contributions to Spanish as a foreign language teaching methodologies. Advising and grants: Directs student researchers through the LANL-CCU initiative and has secured external funding for collaborative projects. Grants and partnerships focus on advancing HPC resilience and educational outreach in STEM. Labs/Teams: Co-leads the LANL-CCU Collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary research between academia and national labs. Active in the Ultrascale Systems Research Center (since 2014) and previously in the National Security Education Center at LANL (2019–2023).

• Educational Linguistics
• Language Learning and Processing
• Cognitive Linguistics
• +3 more

Dr. Maria Vender is an Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at the University of Verona, affiliated with the School of Cultures and Civilizations. Her academic roles include membership in the Faculty Board of the Linguistics PhD Program, the Teaching Committee for Foreign Languages and Literatures, and the Department's Communication and Web Commission. She actively contributes to research centers such as the Laboratorio di Linguistica Applicata (La.LiA) and leads projects like the PRIN PNRR 2022 REAding CompreHension for inclusion (REACH). Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in Language Learning, Semiotics, and Bilingualism across programs like the Master's in Linguistics and the Professional Master’s in Bibliotherapy. Her research focuses on language acquisition, developmental disorders, and applied linguistics, with recent work addressing literacy interventions for vulnerable populations, bilingualism in neurodiverse children, and cognitive aspects of language processing. She has published extensively in journals and conferences, emphasizing methodologies like eye-tracking and experimental linguistics. Maria Vender is also involved in third mission initiatives, including public engagement programs and professional training courses on literacy and educational inclusion.

Diana Pili-MossView profile

Lecturer

• Second Language Acquisition
• Cognitive Linguistics
• Memory and Learning
• +3 more

Diana Pili-Moss is a Lecturer in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at the Institute of English Studies, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany. She holds a PhD in Second Language Acquisition from Lancaster University (UK) and has held academic roles including Senior Research Associate at Leuphana, Post-doctoral ESRC Fellowship at Lancaster, and various teaching positions in the UK and Italy. Her research focuses on cognitive factors influencing second language acquisition (SLA), particularly memory's role in learning, age effects, and pedagogical applications such as corrective feedback and digital instruction. She has contributed to projects like Interact4School, which develops classroom materials and cognitive-educational tools. Educationally, she holds a Dr. phil. in General Linguistics from Universität Potsdam (Germany), a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages (Manchester Metropolitan University), and an MA in Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures from IULM (Italy). Her work integrates empirical research with practical teaching methodologies, emphasizing the intersection of cognitive science and language pedagogy. Key research areas include instructed SLA in digital contexts, memory's role in EFL development, and the design of effective feedback systems. She has led initiatives such as the FeedBook project and collaborates with labs like LinA-Lab (Corpus Linguistics) and the TEFL Lab. Awards include her ESRC Fellowship, highlighting her contributions to SLA research. Her teaching spans secondary education, university-level language instruction, and specialized courses on SLA. She actively engages in academic activities, including lecture series on North American studies and workshops on corpus linguistics methods.

Sibel CrumView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Second Language Education
• Applied Linguistics
• TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• +4 more

Sibel Crum is a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, affiliated with the Central Eurasian Studies Department. She holds a PhD in Second Language Education from Indiana University and an MA in Foreign Language Education from Hacettepe University, Turkey. Her academic roles include teaching Turkish language and culture courses at IU, as well as faculty appointments in Turkey and international visiting positions in Germany and Poland through Erasmus programs. Her research focuses on foreign language pedagogy, language learning strategies, and cross-cultural education. Notable publications address gender dynamics in language learning, technology integration in classrooms, and teacher identity formation. She has received the Leo and Jay Fay Fellowship for Academic Excellence and a British Council scholarship for educators. Education: PhD (Indiana U), MA (Hacettepe U) Affiliations: IU Bloomington | Hacettepe U (Turkey) | Erasmus Exchange Programs (Germany/Poland) Teaching: Turkish language/culture courses, Business is Global program, and teacher certification programs Her work emphasizes practical applications of language learning theories and innovative teaching methods, with over 15 years of experience in higher education across multiple countries.

Billie J. FollensbeeView profile

Professor

• Art history and archaeology of the ancient Americas
• Mesoamerican art history and archaeology
• Fiber technology and textiles in archaeology
• +3 more

Billie J. Follensbee is a Professor and Museum Studies Program Coordinator at the Art and Design Department of Missouri State University. Her roles include teaching and coordinating programs in art history, museum studies, and archaeology. She holds advanced degrees from institutions such as the University of Maryland and Université d’Aix-en-Provence. Education: PhD, Art History and Archaeology, University of Maryland, 2000 MA, Art History and Archaeology, University of Maryland, 1994 Certificat de Hautes-Etudes, Université d’Aix-en-Provence, 1986 BA, Modern Foreign Languages, Castleton State College, 1987 BS, English Communications, Castleton State College, 1986 AS, Communications, Castleton State College, 1985 Research Interests: Focused on Mesoamerican and ancient American art/archaeology, fiber technology, gender studies, and material culture. Her work explores topics like Olmec imagery, textile fabrication tools, and the intersection of dress and power in pre-Columbian societies. Key Contributions: Her research bridges experimental archaeology and cultural analysis, particularly in testing artifact functions (e.g., shells as textile tools). Her 2017 edited volume Dressing the Part redefines understandings of gender and power through material culture. Awards: CASL Faculty Award for Excellence in Service-Learning (2018) Multiple Sabbaticals and Research Grants (2015–2022) Foundation Award for Teaching (2008) Service & Mentorship: Leads service-learning initiatives and museum apprenticeships. Advises internships in art history and museum studies. Active in curriculum innovation and community engagement.

• Translation Studies
• Linguistics
• Media Accessibility
• +3 more

Francesca Raffi is an Associate Professor of English Language and Translation at the University of Macerata (Italy) and Honorary Fellow at the University of Liverpool (UK). She holds a PhD in English for Special Purposes from the University of Naples 'Federico II' and has conducted research at institutions including the University of Roehampton (UK). Her academic career includes roles as Senior Assistant Professor (2020-2023) and Post-Doctoral Researcher (2018-2019). Research: Focuses on re(translation), linguistic/sensorial accessibility (including intersemiotic translation), and reception studies of translated media. Key projects include leadership of the UNITE project (AI-powered language learning) and participation in UPSKILLS (curriculum development for linguistics students). She has contributed to FACS (museum accessibility model) and InclusivOpera (cultural impact studies). Teaching: Teaches at undergraduate/graduate levels in Italy and abroad, including courses on audiovisual translation, media interpreting, and translation technologies. Supervised 187 theses across BA/Master's levels. Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on topics like AI in education, subtitling pedagogy, and accessibility practices. Editor for BRIDGE: Trends and Traditions in Translation and Interpreting Studies and ECHO journal. Affiliations: Member of AIA, EST, IATIS, and SUBTLE. Involved in interdisciplinary initiatives bridging translation studies, technology, and cultural heritage preservation.

• Second language learning strategies
• Online language learning
• Language Acquisition
• +2 more

Nicole Cherry is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at Newman University’s Faculty of Education. She leads the Primary PGCE MFL programme and oversees the European Teacher Trainee Exchange Programme. Her role expanded with the introduction of the KS2/3 MFL Programme and the development of undergraduate courses such as 'The Power of Communication' and 'Language Learning and the Wider Community.' She has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students and currently focuses on School Direct partnerships within the Lightwoods Teaching School Alliance (TSA). Education: MEd: Key Stage 2/3 MFL Transition (Newman University, 2012) PG Diploma: Programme and Module Design (Birmingham City University, 2010) PG Cert: Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (Birmingham City University, 2009) PGCE: Secondary Modern Foreign Languages (Leeds Trinity, 1986) BA (Hons): Modern Languages (Spanish/French) (University of Bradford, 1983) Research & Teaching Interests: Nicole specializes in language acquisition, second language learning strategies, and online language learning. She has developed mandatory online courses like 'French in the Primary School' and 'Spanish in the Primary School,' which are integral to undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Her work emphasizes bridging classroom learning with community engagement. Professional Engagement: Member of the Association of Language Learning (ALL). Active in curriculum design and international teacher exchange programs. Current Projects: Expanding her School Direct partnership role and further developing online language learning resources. Collaborates with the Lightwoods TSA to enhance teacher training initiatives.

• Language and linguistics
• Bilingualism
• Minority languages
• +3 more

Rebecca Rowntree is a Lecturer and Course Leader of the Anglia Language Programme at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences in Cambridge. Her expertise spans applied linguistics, with a focus on Modern Foreign Languages, language and identity, and bilingualism. She holds an MA in Applied Linguistics from ARU, a BA in French Language & Literature from the University of Hull, and advanced teaching qualifications (DELTA and CELTA). Her research explores international students' experiences in the UK higher education system, minority languages, and the future of Modern Foreign Languages education. Teaching includes the Ruskin Module 'Does Language Affect the Way You Think?'. She previously worked at the Cambridge University Language Centre as a translator and taught English in France and Mexico, gaining fluency in Spanish. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she advocates for language learning and inclusive education.

Ilaria CompagnoniView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Language Education Technology
• Virtual Reality in Language Learning
• AI Ethics in Pedagogy
• +3 more

Ilaria Compagnoni is an Adjunct Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice's Department of Linguistics and Comparative Cultural Studies. Her research focuses on integrating Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital storytelling into language education. She holds a PhD in Language Sciences from Ca' Foscari University and the University of Primorska, Slovenia, and has conducted research at institutions including the University of Arizona and Technical University of Munich. Her teaching roles include adjunct lecturer positions at Ca' Foscari and University of Verona, specializing in English language instruction and digital pedagogy. Key research interests include VR's impact on collaborative learning, AI ethics in education, and innovative language teaching methodologies. She has presented at international conferences such as EuroCALL and CALICO, and published in journals like AILA Review and Glottodidattica . Awards include the DAAD Short-Term Grant and Fulbright Scholarship. Her work emphasizes bridging traditional pedagogy with emerging technologies to enhance language acquisition and intercultural competence. Teaching responsibilities include courses in English language instruction (FT0130) across multiple degree programs. She actively collaborates with educational technology initiatives like Immerse Language Learning and the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL). Office hours are held remotely via Zoom or in-person on Wednesdays.

Andrea FacchinView profile

Associate Professor

• Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL)
• Arabic Language Pedagogy
• Language Assessment
• +5 more

Andrea Facchin is an Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. His expertise spans TAFL (Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language), language policy, and cross-cultural communication. He leads the DAR Laboratory for Arabic language teaching innovations and co-developed the CALI certification for Italian learners. He chairs Italy’s team in Qatar Foundation International’s Arabic Language Programs Survey. His research emphasizes historical and contemporary Arabic pedagogy, non-verbal communication, and sociopolitical influences on language education. Education & Leadership: Holds a PhD from Ca' Foscari, where he also teaches. Active in editorial roles for Quaderni di Studi Arabi. Fluent in Arabic (advanced written/spoken) and English (advanced). Research Focus: Explores TAFL’s evolution since the 1960s, CEFR integration, pronunciation pedagogy, and Sudan’s 1950s Arabization efforts. His 2019 monograph Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language earned Ca’ Foscari’s Research Award. Recent work includes a translation of Ibrahim Darghuthi’s novel Le palme muoiono in piedi . Awards & Impact: 2020 Starting Research Award for his groundbreaking TAFL scholarship. Engages students in cultural projects like writing human rights texts in Arabic, bridging language learning with societal values. Collaborations: Works internationally with institutions in Finland, Netherlands, and Tunisia. Part of the American Councils for International Education for CALI development. Editor for Études sémitiques and Lettera a una professoressa editions.

• Cultural Linguistics
• Polish Language Glottodidactics
• History of Teaching Polish as a Foreign Language
• +3 more

Prof. dr hab. Anna Dąbrowska is a full professor at the University of Wrocław's Institute of Polish Philology (Instytut Filologii Polskiej), serving as Deputy Director for General and Financial Affairs, Head of the Department of Applied Linguistics, and Director of the School of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners. Her academic roles include membership in the State Commission for Certification of Polish as a Foreign Language and the Polish Language Council at the Polish Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on cultural linguistics, Polish language teaching methodologies (glottodidactics), and the history of teaching Polish as a foreign language. She has collaborated with institutions in Europe, leading projects like the GeWiss initiative's Polish studies section. Her work spans textbook analysis, error classification, and multilingualism studies. Publications highlight her contributions to Polish language pedagogy, including works on historical Polish language textbooks, linguistic errors, and cultural aspects of language learning. She has edited volumes on taboo, multiculturalism, and time in language, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Grants & Projects: Led the Polish studies component of GeWiss, developed curricula for Polish language learners, and contributed to certification frameworks. Labs/Teams: Oversees the School of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners, fostering intercultural education and linguistic research.