I am the Director for the MSc TESOL at Queen’s University Belfast, and lead on the following modules: Digital Literacy & Communication (EDU7273) and Issues in Language Assessment for TESOL (EDU7253). I also contribute to the MRes Social Research Methods on the module Social Science Research Online, and supervise doctoral projects on issues related to language education, literacy & writing research, digital literacy & educational technology. Aspiring researchers and collaboraters are welcome to contact me about ideas in these areas.

My research and teaching interests lie at the intersections of applied linguistics (including TESOL), literacy studies, and higher education. Much of this recently has been concerned with digital literacy and writing, and these interests emerge through two recent books: My 2017 book 'Assignments as Controversies' and a 2019 co-authored monograph 'Academics Writing: The Dynamics of Knowledge Creation' (both published by Routledge/T&F).

I am also interested in the writing practices and knowledge creating work of academics across contemporary universities. Prior to joining Queen's University, I was a Senior Researcher on a 2 year ESRC project which investigated the changing nature of academic work, writing, and knowledge creation.

I received my PhD from the University of Leeds (ESRC funded) for a thesis which investigated the impact of cyberspace and digital media on the literacy practices of adult learners during the writing of their course assignments. I conducted fieldwork informed by 'screen-in-screen' videographies to capture writing unfolding.

Prior to this, I was employed at the University of Bradford in a project management capacity on a JISC funded learning innovation project.

I have not always worked in Universities. My career began in community learning and Further Education where I taught on and managed Adult ESOL and Literacy courses. It is from this context that my interest in literacy and language learning began to emerge: through observing how people who were otherwise marginalised and displaced could - through their digital literacies - become core participants of communities in digital environments, and thus radically transform their lives.

I am a trustee and Governing Council member for the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE), and also co-convener of the Society's Digital University Network. I also serve on the Editorial Boards of two journals: T&F's Teaching in Higher Education, and Springer's Post Digital Science & Education.

Web Links:
Twitter: @ibrar_bhatt
Website: http://ibrarspace.net