Dr Inma Alvarez

Professional biography

My general research interest is in the area of human communication. I have been researching on intercultural competence in language teaching and learning, translation skills, strategies for intercultural communication, multimodal reading and writing across cultures.

I am also interested in communication in the performing arts, specifically in how these arts are documented and how expression occurs in the multiple interpretations during performances.

I have experience as a Masters, PhD and EdD supervisor and examiner in both languages and the arts.

I am also a reviewer for Journal of Movement Arts Literacy and Danzaratte.

At present I am doing a scholarly project on academic language and literacy practices in Higher Education.

I am currently a member of various dance associations: 

• the Language of Dance, Board of Trustees.
• the ICKL (International Council of Kinetography Laban).
• Danza+Investigación.

I have taught general language courses at all levels as well as courses for specific purposes (e.g. business Spanish, Latin American literature, Contemporary Spain, translation and interpreting) at the University of Michigan (USA), University of St. Andrews and University of Dundee (Scotland), University of Wolverhampton and University of Northampton (England). At the Open University, I have contributed to the development of all modules in the Spanish programme from beginners to advanced, including contributions to print, audiovisual and online resources and residential schools materials. I have also been involved in the development and piloting of an electronic European Language Portfolio (ELP) for adults and in the development of Beginners' Chinese and Italian modules.

I have also teaching experience in the area of Dance Studies. I have taught dance anthropology at the London Contemporary Dance School and dance analysis and notation at the Conservatorio Superior de Danza “María de Ávila” in Madrid. I have also been an external examiner for the BA (Hons) Theatre Dance, Goldsmith/The Laban Centre as well as an e-tutor in the dance programme at the University of Surrey. 

At present I am involved in a Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project with colleagues at King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Westminster:

• OWRI (Open World Research Initiative), Language Acts and Worldmaking. My work is based on the strand ‘Diasporic identities and the politics of language teaching’ which aims to investigate the role of modern language teachers in a changing linguistic, social, and cultural landscape.

In the past few years I have participated in the following national and international research and scholarly projects.

• The LEAP (Learning English Audio Pilot) project with the British Council in Sub-Sahara Africa. I am currently working on the Monitoring and Evaluation of audio technology and materials in primary schools in Nigeria and South Africa and secondary schools in Ethiopia.
• Three-year collaborative life-long learning European project (2011-2014), MAGICC  (Modularising Multilingual and Multicultural Academic Communication Competence for BA and MA level) with several European universities. Funded by the Education and Culture DG (Lifelong Learning Programme).
• One-year project (2012) with the University of Surrey, Contexts, Culture and Creativity: Enriching E-Learning in Dance.
• Three-year collaborative life-long learning European project (2011-2013), Performing Languages, on drama, language and intercultural learning. Funded by the Education and Culture DG (Mobility projects).
• Three-year collaborative project (2009-2011), CEFcult (Online CEF-based assessment of oral proficiency for intercultural professionals). Funded by the Education and Culture DG (KA2 Multilateral projects) with several European universities.
• Three-year collaborative project (2009-2011), Emotion and moral value in art, with several Spanish universities.Funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain.
• Two-year collaborative project (2007-2008), Collaborative Models Project., with several Brisitsh HEIs. Funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
• Three-year collaborative project (2006-2008), The expression of subjectivity in the arts, with several Spanish universities. Funded by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Spain.