By Charlotte Morriss (University of Leicester) and
Veronika Derecskey (University of Nottingham)
Opening remarks by Veronika Derecskey and Charlotte Morriss to in-person and online attendees
On the 10th of June 2024, workshop leaders Veronika Derecskey (University of Nottingham) and Charlotte Morriss (University of Leicester) hosted an all-day BAAL Researcher Development Workshop: ‘Entering the Dragons' Den: Pitching Qualitative Methods in Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching (PLLT) Research’ at the University of Nottingham, UK. This workshop topic was initially conceptualised by the LLP Community and early-career researchers interested in showcasing qualitative methods in PLLT and developed with workshop Co- Applicants Deborah Kelland (Queen Margaret University), Denny Vlaeva (University of Nottingham), Dr Bochra Kouraichi (University of Sfax) and Dr Christine Muir (University of Nottingham). Further support was kindly provided by the workshop volunteers Siying Shen (University of Leeds) and Sundus Alzouebi (University of Warwick)
Our home for the day at the incredible University of Nottingham, Trent Building
Our Motivation
Over the past 20 years, there has been a growing shift in the number of qualitative studies in teaching and learning settings (Gass et al., 2020). Dewaele (2023, p.4) outlined potential directions for the applied linguistics field in the ‘cross-fertilization between the various branches of applied linguistics and the various branches of psychology, more specifically educational psychology, positive psychology, cultural psychology, social psychology and personality psychology.’ Therefore, this workshop aimed to meet the research-development needs of BAAL’s PGR and ECR members holistically - not only by showcasing current qualitative methods in PLLT, but also through building capacity for grant bidding (guided by the expertise of senior researchers) to support and sustain future qualitative PLLT research. The University of Nottingham was chosen as the workshop location due to its central location in the UK to promote in-person attendance and networking throughout the day. Further, hybrid sessions were included where possible to foster inclusion, accessibility, and encourage wider participation during this event.
Workshop Sessions
Dr Sal Consoli (University of Edinburgh) started the first session of the day with a motivating plenary entitled ‘Methodological Innovations in Qualitative Research for the Psychology of Language Education’ and a tribute to the esteemed late Professor Zoltán Dörnyei from the University of Nottingham and his ongoing legacy in PLLT. The plenary highlighted how an innovative qualitative researcher is “well-informed, open-minded, critical, progressive, adaptable, reflective, and ethical” and how these qualities can be used to tackle the difficult questions we face as researchers. Moreover, the plenary outlined how reflexivity demonstrates humanity in PLLT research and pushes the edge in qualitative methodologies.
Session 1 Opening Plenary by Dr Consoli
Session 2 featured Quick-Fire and poster presentations, which provided opportunities for discussion surrounding the attendees’ in-progress qualitative projects. These presentations gave insights into the emotional and motivational aspects of language teaching and learning, highlighting the importance of complexity in student engagement as well as the emotional demands and coping strategies of language teaching practitioners.
Quick-Fire Presenters: Siying Shen (University of Leeds), Alaa Aladnani (University of Leicester and King Abdulaziz University), Charlotte Morriss (University of Leicester). Poster Presenters: Steph Carter (University of York) and Siying Shen (University of Leeds)
Lunch break with three of our organisers: Charlotte Morriss, Veronika Derecskey and Siying Shen
An extended networking break provided the perfect opportunity to make connections with fellow PLLT researchers.
The focus of session 3 was ‘Funding Challenges and Opportunities’ for the in-person attendees. This collaborative session was led by Dr Muir and aimed to build awareness of key small grant funding concepts. In small groups, the attendees collaborated to prepare a short ‘Dragons’ Den-style’ funding pitch aimed at fictional funders. Sadly there was no real money involved! The session ended with a lively roundtable discussion with the attendees and Dr Muir and Dr Consoli. All the attendees greatly benefitted from the discussions and expert insights relating to early-career funding challenges and opportunities.
Session 3 Introductory talk to the ‘Funding Challenges and Opportunities’ session by Dr Christine Muir
Outcomes & Hopes for the Future
In total there were 17 in-person attendees and an additional 25 attendees who had registered online, including doctoral students, early-career researchers, and more senior academics. The attendees were affiliated with universities in the UK and internationally from over 20 different higher education institutions. It is clear from the engagement during the workshop - including live-tweeting - and feedback afterwards, that the workshop was particularly impactful for the attendees. In-person feedback commended how the workshop provided highly relevant interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. On the feedback form, one attendee greatly appreciated how the workshop allowed attendees to “get familiar with cutting-edge research using qualitative methods.” Another attendee, who was unable to attend in person due to disability, appreciated the morning hybrid format and explained how their PhD would “directly benefit from the ideas presented in the plenary and Quick-Fire sessions.”
The point-of-view from those joining us online
Given the success of this workshop in terms of reach and development outcomes, we hope there will be further showcasing opportunities for PLLT qualitative researchers in the future. Additionally, we endorse expanding methodological training for PGRs and ECRs in PLLT, as well as building awareness of the value that qualitative methods have in interdisciplinary research. Thank you again to BAAL for their support and guidance in the workshop. Lastly, we hope other PhDs and ECRs in the LLP Community enjoyed the workshop, and will be inspired to lead their own workshops in the future! We learned a lot about collaboration, project management and putting yourself out there into the wider research community. The time commitment was challenging at times alongside our PhD and ECR responsibilities, but ultimately it was a well-treasured experience and a highlight of our research journeys.
References
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Dewaele, J. M. (2023). System's 50th anniversary special issue in conversation with Professor Jean-Marc Dewaele. System, 118, 103140.
Gass, S., Loewen, S., & Plonsky, L. (2021). Coming of age: The past, present, and future of quantitative SLA research. Language Teaching, 54(2), 245-258.
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