Research

Languages and International Studies

Recognised nationally and internationally for its distinctive focus on the contemporary world, Language and International Studies (LIS) has a longstanding commitment to providing inspiring learning opportunities that are relevant to tomorrow's workplace.

LIS combines teaching, research and consultancies in modern languages (Chinese [Mandarin], French, German, Italian and Spanish) with International Relations, Global Studies and European Studies.

LIS has a proud record of excellence in research including highly regarded publications and guest editorships with leading journals, as well as textbooks, readers and media articles. Our research groups are each closely linked to areas of teaching, and researchers are regularly invited to participate in key international conferences.

Research Assessment Exercise

The results of the RAE 2008 found that:

• 75% of our research in French is deemed to be recognised internationally, and 30% of that research was judged to be internationally excellent
• 15% of our research in French was considered to be world leading in terms of peer-esteem and international recognition
• the overall results place us second in terms of new universities for research in French.

The panel commented: 'The outputs were found to have significant evidence of international excellence and recognition, with positive evidence of national recognition'.

Research areas

• French Film
• Environmental Politics
• European Social Movements
• Women, Society and Politics in France
• Contemporary French Thought
• Modern and Contemporary French Literary Studies
• Existentialism (especially Sartre)
• Graphic Novels ('la bande dessinée')
• Guibert and AIDS Writing
• Gender and Sexuality in France
• International Political Economy
• International Institutions
• Theory of International Relations
• International Relations of Asia and the Pacific, North Africa and the Middle East
• Global Geographies of Development
• Regional Identities (eg. Europe, Regions of the Global South)
• Religion and Secularism in France
• Blended Language Learning

Research centres

• ReFrance: Contemporary French Studies
• Energy and Environment Security
• Teaching and Learning Languages

Academic staff

Dr Gill Allwood, Professor Jean Pierre Boule, Dr Mercedes Carbayo-Abengozar, Ms Lisa Clughen, Dr Sagarika Dutt, Mr Imad El-Anis, Mrs Maria Fanjul-Fanjul, Dr Chris Farrands, Dr Gloria Gutierrez, Dr Neil Hughes, Dr Enda McCaffrey, Dr Clare Newstead, Dr Martin O'Shaughnessy, Professor Lloyd Pettiford, Professor Murray Pratt, Dr Chris Reynolds, Dr Hsiu-Chih Sheu, Dr Amanda Smith, Dr Roy Smith