Areas of interest
My academic interests lie in educational leadership, multiculturalism, curriculum design, materials development, and professional learning in education. I am particularly focused on bridging theory and practice through reflective and critical thinking methodologies.
In 2018 and 2023, I undertook project visits to China, delivering presentations to school leaders, teacher educators, and classroom practitioners on topics including attribution theory, mindset, the cultivation of critical thinking, and the role of reflection in education and professional growth.
My doctoral research is a narrative inquiry into the perceptions and experiences of leaders in heritage language schools, examining their professional trajectories, identity and values.
Additionally, I work in the field of Intercultural Communicative Competence, investigating leadership development and the integration of 21st-century skills through intercultural dialogue and organisational culture. I am a member of the British Council EMADA research team, contributing to a study on the development of critical thinking skills through English language teaching in Hubei, China.
Background
Before joining the University, I gained over 16 years of experience in English as a Foreign Language (EFL), spanning teaching, management, and teacher training across diverse international contexts. My early career included co-leading a private English language school in Greece, preparing students for the Greek school-leaving certificate and the Cambridge English exams. This was followed by roles in TESOL teacher education and course direction (TESOL, PTLLS, DTLLS), and EFL coordination within the Further Education sector.
I hold a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from King’s College London (2001). My initial involvement with the University began in 2003 as part of the summer TEEP teaching team, leading to a full-time appointment at the National Centre for Language and Literacy in 2004. In 2025, I was awarded a Doctorate in Education (EdD) from the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ.
As Academic Lead for short courses, I am particularly interested in the creative aspects of materials design and pedagogical delivery. Since rejoining the University’s pre-sessional programmes in 2020, I have taught across both year-round and summer courses, served as Module Convenor for PSE post-graduates, and contributed to the development of Pre-sessional and Academic English Programme (AEP) materials.
My research interests span educational leadership, multiculturalism, curriculum development, and professional learning in education. I focus on bridging theory and practice through reflective and critical thinking approaches. I also explore the significance of multilingualism in contemporary Britain, with a particular emphasis on leadership practices and community engagement within heritage language education.
Academic qualifications
Ed D (ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ).
MA Applied Linguistics and ELT (King's College, The University of London).
B.Ed. (Queen's University Belfast).
Dip TESOL (The University of London).
Apolytirio (Greek school-leaving certificate)
Professional bodies/affiliations
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK, 2018
The Global Forum for EAP Professionals (BALEAP)
Selected publications
Zhang, X., McIlroy, S., & Li, D. (2020). Co-constructing intercultural development on a professional development programme for teachers from China. In M. Foster & D. Killick (Eds.), Learner Relationships in Global Higher Education: A Critical Pedagogy for a Multicultural World: Routledge.
‘What are heritage language schools and why are they important?’ Community Festival, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University, May 2025.
‘Exploring leadership in heritage language schools: The conceptual framework’. The Institute of Education Graduate Conference. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University, June 25th 2024.
'Reflections on the use of Materials in co-constructing Academic Identity: Alternative pathways’ (Jointly delivered with D. Devane), IATEFL Brighton, April 2024.
‘Exploring leadership in heritage language schools with a new qualitative tool ’, PhD Language Studies Conference, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University, March 2024
‘The Journey and Beyond: The EMADA BC project’ Language teaching and Research Forum, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University, March 2024 (jointly delivered with C. Zhang).
‘The Thinking Abilities Framework’ A report by the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, in collaboration with the Hubei Institute of Education Science and supported by British Council China (Contributing Author) December 2023
‘Research on the development of thinking abilities within the English subject in primary and secondary schools in Hubei province’ (video published on the BC Website 2023) https://www.britishcouncil.cn/en/teach/thinking-abilities-framework
‘Teachers Beliefs and Practice in Developing Thinking Ability through EFL teaching in China's basic education: Creation of the Thinking Abilities Framework’ (EmaDA-sponsored BC project, 2022 – 23). The British Council China Teaching English Online Conference, Oct 2023.
‘The EMADA BC project: Chongqing and Hubei Teacher CPD Research and Materials Development Projects’, Language Teaching and Research Forum, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University, December 2022 (jointly delivered with C. Zhang).
'Reflections on the use of Materials in co-constructing Academic Identity’. [Paper presentation]. 2023 UNNC EAP ESP Conference, University of Nottingham Ningbo China (jointly delivered with Devane, D.) May 2023.
'Co-constructed Identity: Reflections on how EAP Learning Materials can enhance the transition and development of the EAP Student and the EAP Practitioner’ (jointly delivered with Devane, D.) BALEAP Professional Issues Meeting, University of Sheffield, Nov 2022.
‘Collaborative Projects in Intercultural Communicative Competence’ (jointly delivered with Daguo Li and Carrie Zhang) at Learning Teaching and Research Forum (LTRF), ISLI, Nov 2022
‘Intercultural Communicative Competence (both home and mixed nationalities)’ IntRef: Intercultural Reflection on Teaching Conference, online led by Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, June 2022.
‘Developing Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC) in an international professional development context through action research’ (jointly delivered with Daguo Li and Carrie Zhang) at Learning Teaching and Research Forum (LTRF), ISLI, 2017 ‘Motivation and Mindset’ T&L Showcases (reading.ac.uk) 2017.
