Desislava Duridanova

Desislava Duridanova is a Lecturer in the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures at New Bulgarian University, where she has taught since 1999. She is concurrently pursuing her PhD in Philology. Her academic background includes a Master of Letters in Cultural Studies from the University of Strathclyde, a Master of Education in Foreign Language Teaching from NBU, and a Master of Arts in Russian Philology from Sofia University.

Her research explores intercultural communication, AI applications in education, and language teaching methodologies. Key focus areas include:

• Developing university courses for intercultural competence
• Evaluating textbooks for anti-discrimination standards
• Creating English for Academic Purposes materials
• Online learning pedagogy

Her 15 publications (2000-2005) predominantly analyze intercultural education frameworks, gender representation in textbooks, and cultural dimensions of language teaching. The works demonstrate consistent focus on pedagogical applications within Bulgarian educational contexts.

Awards & Leadership:

• Civic Education Project Fellowship (2002-2004)
• Chair of Consultative Center for Anti-Discrimination Evaluation
• Former Secretary of Bulgarian English Teachers Association

Major Projects: She co-founded the createIT initiative developing web-based EFL materials and participated in multinational educational reform projects with the British Council. Her civic engagement includes establishing Bulgaria's first anti-discrimination textbook evaluation center.