Karen Lowing

Karen Lowing is a socio- and applied linguist at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), serving as Associate Dean for Education. Her career spans leadership roles in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) at Hull, Stirling, Newcastle, Durham, and Strathclyde Universities, with a focus on language and social justice.

• Current affiliation: UHI (Research Office & Professional Services)
• PhD supervision status: Accepting PhD students

Her research centers on the role of Scots Language in education, extending to broader themes of minority languages globally. Key methodologies include Critical Discourse Analysis, addressing social exclusion, cultural capital, and language policy in educational contexts.

Karen’s recent publications (2022–2024) examine Scots’ positioning in Scottish education policy, its intersection with social justice, and pedagogical approaches. Collaborations include projects like Whose Scots? and It's Shite Being Scottish, analyzing language attitudes in academia and media.

No specific scientific awards are mentioned in the provided texts. However, her work is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in social justice and inclusion.

Projects such as Ane Instructioun for Bairnis (2010–2014) and ongoing initiatives like S-COTS (2025) highlight her commitment to minority language education. She also engages in public discourse via podcasts and media contributions, advocating against accent bias and for equitable language practices.