Irene Maria F. Blayer

Dr. Irene Maria F. Blayer is a Professor in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Brock University. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. and M.A. in Linguistics from the University of Toronto, and a B.A. in Romance Languages (First Class Honours) from Brock University. She has held academic ranks at Brock since 1995, progressing from Assistant Professor to Full Professor in 2005.

• Ph.D., University of Toronto (special areas: Romance Linguistics)
• M.A., University of Toronto (Ibero-American Literatures with minor in Romance Linguistics)
• B.A., First Class Honours, Brock University (Romance Languages)

Her research focuses on comparative Romance linguistics, diaspora studies, and intercultural discourse. She explores im/migrant narrative discourse, identity construction, and linguistic ethnography through interdisciplinary lenses. Her recent publications examine diasporic imaginary, cultural hybridity, and discourse patterns in migration contexts.

Notable awards include the COPA Award for Academia/Education Excellence, Golden Key International Honours Society membership, and the Azorean Legislature's Autonomic Commendation of Professional Merit. She has secured grants from SSHRC, CNPq, CAPES, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

• Co-Founder, InterDISCIPLINARY Journal of Portuguese Diaspora Studies (2012–)
• Co-Founder, book series Interdisciplinary Studies in Diasporas (2015–)
• Co-Coordinator, Diaspora Inter-Crossings Speaker Series

She leads community outreach initiatives like the Im/migrant and Community Outreach Internship course, fostering engagement with migrant worker issues through partnerships with the Canadian Council for Refugees and Niagara Migrant Workers Interest Group.