Stephen Pihlaja

Dr. Stephen Pihlaja is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of English, Languages and Applied Linguistics, within the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University. He specializes in discourse analysis focusing on language use related to religious identity, particularly in digital and online contexts. His research explores how technology influences the presentation and evolution of beliefs, employing methods like categorization, narrative, and positioning analysis.

Education: Stephen holds a PhD in Linguistics from the Open University (2012), an MRes (2009), MA from the University of Birmingham (2007), and a BA (2003). He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA, 2015).

Research Interests: Stephen’s work examines discourse dynamics around religion, online communication, and identity. Key areas include religious discourse on platforms like YouTube, cognitive linguistics, and the impact of digital media on belief systems. His books include Antagonism on YouTube (2014), Religious Talk Online (2018), and Talk about Faith (2021).

Professional Roles: He serves as Section Editor for Open Linguistics (2024–present), Chair of the Poetics and Linguistics Association (2022–2024), and Chair of the Board of Governors at St Michael's Primary School (2020–present). He has held editorial roles for journals like Journal of Language and Discrimination and served on professional bodies such as the British Association of Applied Linguistics.

Advising & Grants: Stephen supervises PhD students in topics like religious discourse in media, L2 English education, and legal language use. Current advisees include Kulwant Singh (EdD), Celine Quinn, and Thúy Nga Nguyễn. His research has been supported by consultancy projects, including a study on young Muslims in England (2016–2017).

Awards: He is recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).