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Staff Profile

Dr Elaine Lopez

Lecturer in Applied Linguistics

  • Address: School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
    King George VI building 1.38
    Newcastle University
    Newcastle
    NE1 7RU
Background

I have established research expertise in the application of generative linguistic theory to the language classroom, particularly in respect to acquisition of the English article system, as well as a developing interest in how language is used to marginalise groups of people and maintain power and privilege. I am also involved in scholarship and citizenship work on peer support for carers and on accessibility, and as a result have developing expertise in issues related to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). I joined Newcastle University as Lecturer in Applied Linguistics in September 2016, having previously worked at the University of Leeds. I became interested in linguistics whilst working as an English language teacher abroad in the 2000s. On returning to the UK, I first entered Higher Education as a mature student and spent a decade studying and working in Yorkshire before moving to the beautiful NE coast.

I lead modules on Language Awareness and Teaching English for Academic Purposes and co-teach Research Methods on the MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL. I am Senior Fellow of the HEA and Chair of Board of Examiners for the Applied Linguistics and Communication subject area. I run a peer support group for staff and PGR students who are parents/carers of autistic children and I hold other EDI roles at Newcastle University, both within my academic unit and as part of the university EDI networks. I spend my spare time attending car shows with my son, practising yoga, and reading.

PhD supervision

I have supervised eight PhD students to successful completion (see list on the next tab). I currently supervise PhD students who are researching Language Teaching with marginalised student populations (e.g. linguistically minoritised groups, or socially and geographically marginalised students) and I have a strong interest in special educational needs (SEN) within English Language Teaching. I welcome enquiries in this area from prospective students. 

Previous Positions

Lecturer in TESOL, University of Leeds (January 2015-September 2016)

Associate Lecturer in TESOL (English for Academic Purposes), Sheffield Hallam University (2009-2013)

Various ELT roles in Indonesia, Mexico, and the UK (2002-2009)

Qualifications

PhD Linguistics, University of York 2015

LCTL DipTESOL 2011

MA Applied Linguistics with TESOL, University of Sheffield (pass with distinction) 2010

BA English Language and Linguistics, University of Sheffield (first class honours) 2009


Google scholar: Click here

Research

I have established research expertise in the application of generative linguistic theory to the language classroom, particularly in respect to acquisition of the English article system. My doctoral research was an intervention study which investigated the role of definiteness and specificity in article instruction in second language (L2) English, funded by an AHRC doctoral studentship. I was Co-I on two externally funded projects in the broad area of theory into praxis within language education. The first project examined Professional Intercultural Communicative Competence (Erasmus+ funded, PI Tony Young), and the second, Teachers’ Perceptions of Machine Translation as a Pedagogical Tool (AHRC funded, PI Nick Riches). I have publications across these areas and have supervised several PhD students on topics related to the application of theory in language education.

I have developing local expertise in issues related to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), which includes scholarship and citizenship work on peer support for parent carers and on accessibility. I bring along this expertise as a co-researcher on the Wellcome Trust funded Reimagining Leadership project, due to my interest in how EDI intersects with research culture. Within Applied Linguistics, I am interested in social justice and the linguistic representation of marginalised groups. A current project examines discourses of single parenthood as constructed in mainstream UK media. The research approach combines Corpus Linguistics and Critical Discourse Analysis and is underpinned by the theory of moral panic. I am also completing a scholarship project on accessible conferences and events at an institutional level (Newcastle University EDI Fund).

For future directions, I intend to further combine both areas of expertise and consider EDI within English Language Teaching, an area where there is currently a lack of research. I supervise PhD students who are researching Language Teaching amongst marginalised student populations (e.g. linguistically minoritised groups, or socially and geographically marginalised students) and have a strong interest in special educational needs (SEN) within English Language Teaching, particularly in the private sector. I am interested in hearing from potential collaborators or PhD applicants on any of these themes.

PhD completions

I have supervised the following PhD students to completion as main supervisor:

Asmaa Alshaik. Using CALL Textual Enhanced Input to Develop the Real-time Comprehension of English Generic Articles by Arabic L1 Speakers

Saad Albaqami. The effects of technology-based and non- technology-based vocabulary learning activities on Saudi EFL learners’ pushed output vocabulary learning

Ahlam Alhayak.  L2 motivational self-system and L2 writing anxiety among female English majors in Saudi Arabia

Musa Alghamdi. Exploring non-academic motivational factors which impact English language learning in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study

Steven Heron (EdD). Investigating perceptions of the impact of efficacy at levels of individual, collective and proxy agency in the UK pathway sector

I was second supervisor for the following PhDs:

Abdul Alsulami. Overgeneralisation in L2 morphosyntax and the role of alphabetic literacy

Dhaif Alzahrani. Pen-and-paper versus in-person computer-supported L2 collaborative writing: A multimodal (inter)action analysis

Nada Bin Ghali. Enabling Translanguaging in the Saudi EFL Classroom: Affordances and Reflections of Collaborative Translanguaging Tasks During Reading Lessons 


Teaching

Module leader

I lead and teach modules on the MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL. I am module leader for the modules ALC8024 Language Awareness and ALC8033 Teaching English for Academic Purposes.

I co-teach on ALC8020 Research Methods, supervise MA dissertations, and have taught on the module ALC8026 Language Learning

Leadership and mentoring

2023 - Chair of Board of Examiners for Applied Linguistics and Communication

2019 - 2021 Senior Tutor 

2017 - 2021 Degree Programme Director for the MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL 

2020 - 2022 Mentor on the Newcastle Educational Practice Scheme (NEPS)

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

EDI roles

Disability Interest Group (DIG) steering group member

Founder and chair of parent/carers of autistic children peer support group

Co-founder and co-chair of the Gingerbread single parents group

Member of the School of Education Communication and Language Sciences EDI committee

Publications