Tomasz Dyrmo

Dr. Tomasz Dyrmo serves as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of English, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, specializing in multimodal communication and cognitive approaches to linguistic identity. His research bridges theoretical linguistics with real-world applications in LGBT+ discourse and gesture studies, while his teaching spans Academic Writing, TEFL, and Cognitive Media Analysis for diverse student cohorts.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Linguistics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (2024)
• M.A. in English (Applied Cognitive Linguistics), Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (2019)
• B.A. in English (Translation Studies), Olsztyn (2017)

Dyrmo's research interrogates how conceptual metaphors manifest in gesture during identity narratives, particularly coming out experiences. He pioneers queer cognitive linguistics by examining LGBT+ linguistic practices through Conceptual Metaphor Theory and psycholinguistic frameworks. His work reveals how valence influences orientational metaphors in bilingual contexts and documents how gestures objectify abstract concepts like secrets in self-disclosure. This research intersects cognitive discourse analysis with embodied cognition, challenging heteronormative assumptions in linguistic theory.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) shows consistent focus on gesture-speech alignment in identity narratives, with increasing sophistication in multimodal metaphor analysis. His work demonstrates methodological innovation through EEG integration and Kinect motion capture, while establishing clear connections between metaphor comprehension, valence processing, and sociolinguistic identity.

Key recognitions include:

• WA Dean's award for best M.A. thesis in linguistics (2018/2019)
• Tutor of the Year award (2024/2025, 1BA cohort)

Though no formal PhD students are documented, Dyrmo actively mentors through WA GradTalks and received institutional recognition for teaching excellence. His research portfolio includes the completed PhD project 'Coming out as a multimodal metaphor' (2019-2024), the ongoing 'Comprehension of Valenced Orientational Metaphors in Polish-English Bilingual Speakers' study, and contributions to the National Science Center Beethoven Grant on linguistic landscape ideology. He serves on doctoral committees and conference organizing bodies including YLMP 2025.

Dyrmo collaborates extensively with the Neuroscience of Language Laboratory and 'Researching and Applying Metaphor' group, evidenced by his EEG workshops for primary schools and corpus linguistics training. His partnerships with Dr. Anna Jelec and Prof. Małgorzata Fabiszak drive interdisciplinary work connecting gesture studies with sociopolitical discourse analysis.