Christian Ilbury

@christianilbury

Senior Lecturer in Sociolinguistics & Director of EDI for PPLS at University of Edinburgh. he/him LVC, digital (queer+youth+popular) cultures, 'MLE', & accent bias/linguistic discrimination - Edinburgh/London.

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Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· 13d

After an extremely protracted review process (1.5 years!), I'm super happy to announce that our article 'Tackling linguistic discrimination in Higher Education: A student-staff collaborative approach' is now forthcoming in Journal of Applied Linguistics! Abstract below:

Abstract:
The field has long been committed to critically exploring the role of language in systemic inequality and social injustice. More recently, a growing body of research has explored these issues not just as ‘real-world’ problems, but also as issues in Higher Education (HE). This paper adds to this work by introducing a staff-student collaborative approach which is designed to tackle linguistic discrimination in HE. The approach, which we have implemented at the University of Edinburgh, engages student societies that campaign for the rights of working-class and state-educated students as language activists. We provide an overview of our strategy focussing on three main activities: i) student-led campaigns that combine lived-experiences with academic research, ii) two large-scale events that bring together researchers, students, and stakeholders, and iii) CPD courses that provide explicit training in identifying and tackling linguistic discrimination in the classroom. Through this discussion we demonstrate that a collaborative enterprise between staff and students committed to addressing structural and social inequality can be a transformational force in addressing linguistic discrimination in HE.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Jul 15

At graduation yesterday, Professor Sinfree Bullock Makoni was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his work on decolonising applied/socio-linguistics. Prof. Makoni obtained his PhD in Applied Linguistics at UoE in 1989. 🎓

Photograph of Prof. Makoni (centre), Prof. John Joseph (right), and Prof. Kim Graham (left) sitting at a table, with Prof. Makoni signing a register.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Feb 12

One of my former Sociolinguistics students (now a PG student at St Andrews) is co-organizing a student conference on 'Voice'. Submission details below! N.B. Student travel from Edinburgh to St Andrews will be reimbursed by the organisers!

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Feb 4

Why anyone who is committed to Widening Participation should be extremely worried about this development at Essex and at the domino effect elsewhere: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Jan 13

I'm in Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit) teaching a course on the sociolinguistics of digital communication at the LOT Winter School this week. So glad to have escaped the grey winter weather in Edinburgh. Oh, wait:

A picture from the 15th floor of the VU building. The picture is of skyscrapers in Amsterdam Zuid which disappear into the cloudy (dreich) weather.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Jan 5

The CfPs for LavLang32 at Edinburgh is now OPEN! A reminder of our stellar lineup: • Dr. Nikki Lane (Duke) • Dr. Kevin Guyan (UoE) • Prof. Erez Levon (Bern) • Dr. Stamatina Katsiveli (American College of Greece) • Dr. Eddie Ungless (UoE) Submit a paper here: lavlang32.ppls.ed.ac.uk?page_id=231

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Dec 13

I've never been good at bragging, but I've been told to do it more often. And since I argued a while ago Sociolinguistics is how we survive

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Nov 10

Since January 2022, we (me, 93% Club & SS) have been working a project that tackles accent bias in Higher Education, focusing on the 'elite' institution where we're based. Today, we're launching the project website which brings together all our work: accentbias.ed.ac.uk

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Oct 16

Happy to be in Amiens today/tomorrow to speak about social media & sociolinguistic change 👋🏻 It seems you can join the event by zoom, also: discourseanalysis.net/en/digital-d...

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Sep 22

In case you want to compare notes:

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Sep 1

Giving a plenary lecture on "social media and sociolinguistic change" at #UKLVC15 tomorrow. If you're there, say hey 👋🏻

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· May 8

Super privileged to have been able to host John Rickford at @schoolofppls.bsky.social today. Amazing to hear him read from his memoir, Speaking My Soul.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· May 3

In the face of everything, I'm super proud we launched QUEER.ED, in the law school (Usha Kasera) - a building that was built with the most colonial money.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· May 2

It's EDI in the UK, Hun.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 24

The proudest moment of my academic career to date. I was honoured to receive this Teaching award last night for my course, Sociolinguistics. @schoolofppls.bsky.social

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 18

That's it.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 17

Is this really the world we want?

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 17

Sorry, is this actually working?!

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 11

Just some of the responses to the STV video of our training... Saving these for the "why I do this job" file.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 7

Tell me you don't understand accent bias, without telling me you don't understand. Assuming someone is an 'entitled, snobby plonker' because of their RP ('plummy') accent *is* accent bias...! The training we're leading addresses *all* types of accent bias.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 6

We've also got a personalised image for the story!

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 6

Full article here: www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 6

Our event/training on accent bias has been featured on the front page (!!) of the Sunday Times.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 4

This event also gives us a chance to reflect on what we've achieved over the last 3 years:

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 4

Our event, 'Speaking Out: Tackling Accent Bias at an Elite University' is today! 🙌 We have talks from: - Alex Baratta 'A discussion of "standard" accents' - Karen Lowing 'Speaking out for Scots' - Gise Tomé Lourido 'Accent bias in Higher Education: from Research to Practice'

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Apr 1

Looking forward to the week ahead! Speaking Out on Friday (organised by 93% Club, SSMS & me) and a Conference on Queer Identities in China (organised by my PhD students, Ashley & Han). Links here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/speaking-o... and qicc5.wordpress.com

Four posters in a lift. Two are for the 'Speaking Out' event mentioned in the tweet, and the other two are for the 'Queer Identities in China' conference.

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Feb 18

My book "Researching Language and Digital Communication" is hereeee. It may just be the most camp discussion of DMC so far. Including analyses of: - Dolly Parton memes - TikTok videos of Jungle and Billie Eilish - anonymous Grindr profiles

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Feb 14

Super pleased to announce that our event, 'Speaking Out: Tackling Accent Bias at an Elite University' is back this year! 4th April, 1pm-5pm in the EFI - speakers: - Dr. Karen Lowing (UHI) - Dr. Alex Baratta (UoM) - Dr. Gisela Tomé Lourido (Leeds) - The Robertson Trust

Christian Ilbury@christianilbury· Jan 10

My textbook, 'Researching Language and Digital Communication', is due to be released on 28th Feb (the day after my bday 🎊😅). www.routledge.com/Researching-...