Joanne Mcdowell

Dr Joanne Mcdowell is an Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching and Principal Lecturer in English Language & Communication at the University of Hertfordshire. She leads research projects focused on gender in education, classroom linguistics, and professional identity construction. Her work bridges sociolinguistics with educational policy, emphasizing gender equity in traditionally gendered professions.

Education: PhD in Sociolinguistics (Ulster University, 2009), MA in Applied Linguistics (Queen's University Belfast, 2002), BA in Linguistics and Social Anthropology (Queen's University Belfast, 2001).

Research Interests: Language and gender dynamics, discourse analysis in educational settings, classroom management strategies, and de-gendering occupational roles. Her projects include collaborations with institutions like the University of Hildesheim (Germany) and the Equality Challenge Unit, aiming to inform teacher training and policy.

Key Projects:

• "Does Gender Matter?" (Santander-funded): Examines male primary teachers' linguistic strategies and pupil aspirations.
• CLASA (SSAHRI grant): Links classroom linguistics to career aspiration research.
• SSAM Programme (HEI-focused): Enhances student engagement via community-of-practice approaches.

Awards: No specific awards listed, though her work has received grants from Santander, SSAHRI, and internal HEI funding.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the School of Education (UH) and external partners like Pearson UK (Consultant, 2013–2014).