We offer research programmes in a range of topics linked to staff expertise in the fields of sociolinguistics and discourse analysis, with a strong focus on research in the areas of multilingualism, linguistic minorities, and the construction of linguistic, ethnic and cultural identities. A second strand of interest are pedagogical issues related to second-language acquisition, learning and teaching, especially of the English language.

We are contributors to our Faculty's research groups, including the Research Unit for Intercultural and Transcultural Studies (RUITS) and the Justice and Communities Research Unit (JaCRU).

Supervision and support

We host a well-attended postgraduate research seminar, which meets regularly to give students an opportunity to present papers in a supportive setting. This group provides an informal context for postgraduate training and support, but there is also a more formal training programme which offers subject-specific support and training for all postgraduates in addition to the generic training offered by Anglia Ruskin. Our Department allocates a substantial sum each year towards the support of postgraduates in the form of bursaries and travel or conference expenses.

You will be allocated two supervisors, with additional members added if necessary.

Academic supervision is available in most areas connected to sociolinguistic and discourse analytic topics, as well as those focusing on pedagogical aspects, but proposals related to the construction of linguistic and cultural identities and minority groups are particularly welcome.

Facilities

You will have access to our outstanding library resources, as well as to the Cambridge University Library. Our Faculty also hosts a number of research groups, which cater for a wider range of interests and are particularly attractive for those with an interdisciplinary approach to academic work.

Funding

Funding via the usual Research Council avenues are options for students to pursue (Arts & Humanities Research Council studentships, for example). From time to time, departmental bursaries are awarded to candidates who show exceptional potential. In addition to these, our programme has a Postgraduate Fund to which you can apply for help with travelling expenses, conference fees and other research needs. We offer advice on external and internal funding if you are considering our PhD degree.

Career development and training

Our English Language and Linguistics research programmes will not only give you support and scope for developing a thesis on a topic of your choice, but we are also committed to offering you training both within our Department and at University level. Within our Department we offer sessions on a range of subjects, including: writing up a paper for publication; placing an academic article; giving a conference paper; style in the doctorate; updates on research methods and literature searches; internet training; editing skills for doctoral research; subsequent monograph publication; and dealing with festivals, agents, and publishers.

Dr Sebastian Rasinger, BA, PG Cert, PhD: sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, multilingualism, linguistic and cultural identities.

Melanie Bell, MPhil (Cantab), MA (Cantab), DipTEFL: quantitative and corpus linguistics, discourse in the professions, design of language courses.

Dr Alicia Peña Calvo, PhD: second language acquisition and second/ foreign language teaching and learning.

Dr Bettina Beinhoff, MPhil (Cantab), PhD (Cantab): sociolinguistics, acquisition of speech and discourse patterns in second/foreign languages, social psychology in language (esp. attitudes, stereotypes and identity construction).

Dr Andrzej Cirocki: second language acquisition, foreign language learning and teaching, classroom research and teacher training.

• MPhil: Candidates must hold a BA or equivalent in a related subject area.
• PhD: Candidates should normally hold an MA or equivalent in a related area subject area.
• For candidates whose first language is not English, a minimum IELTS score of 7 or equivalent is required with a minimum score of 6.5 achieved in each of the four language skills. We welcome applications from EU and international students.