My research interests are in the area of language testing and assessment and applied linguistics more broadly. I am particularly interested in issues relating to L2 vocabulary learning, teaching, and assessment, L2 reading assessment, language assessment literacy, diagnostic language assessment, language education policy, and the interface between language testing and SLA research.
My PhD research has looked at developing a new diagnostic computer-adaptive measure of lexical knowledge, the Vocabulary Knowledge Profiler. I am still working on a comprehensive validation of this instrument. I currently also work on developing a list of ranked knowledge of vocabulary with Nobert Schmitt (University of Nottingham, UK), Barry O’Sullivan (British Council), Karen Dunn, (British Council) and Laurence Anthony (Waseda University, Japan), as well as on developing a survey tool on Language Assessment Literacy (LAL) with Luke Harding from Lancaster University.
As part of the Language Testing Research Group Innsbruck (LTRGI), I am currently involved in investigating text and task features of university reading materials in relation to Aptis and Lexile scores in a research project funded by the Metametrics and British Council Aptis Research into Reading Grant scheme. With these colleagues at the University of Innsbruck, I am also looking at language learning in people with Multiple Sclerosis in a joint project with Reha Münster and Medical University of Innsbruck.