Kate Elwood

Kate Elwood is a Professor at Waseda University's School of Commerce, specializing in English language and literature, applied linguistics, and cross-cultural communication. Her research explores pragmatic aspects of gratitude, humor, and speech acts in media, literature, and intercultural discourse.

• Education: M.A. in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, B.A.
• Sub-affiliations: Graduate School of Accountancy, Global Education Center, Research Institute of Business Administration (Concurrent Researcher, 2019–).

Her research projects focus on Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction and English teacher competency development under Japan Society for the Promotion of Science grants. She has conducted fieldwork at Trinity College (2008–2009) analyzing Irish English pragmatics.

Key publication trends include cross-cultural analyses of gratitude expressions, humor in sitcoms/magazines, and speech act theory applied to media and literature. Her work spans 1998–2013, with recent emphasis on media linguistics and CLIL pedagogy.

Professional memberships include the Japan Association of Systemic Functional Linguistics, Japan Society of Stylistics, and Japan Association of College English Teachers. She teaches advanced media English and academic English courses at the School of Commerce.