Personal

A few facts about me:
  • I am an outdoor person, enjoying every season in its own way...
  • I love my family to bits...
  • I love everything about water, in the lake, the ocean or from above...
  • I am an animal lover...
  • I enjoy working with my hands...
  • I like to get to the bottom of things...
  • I am very curious...
  • I can be persistent...
  • I ride bicycles and motorbikes and drive everything with wheels...
  • I understand different languages but speak only a few...
  • I am still trying to find the right life-work balance...

important professional milestones...

I am a university researcher and lecturer with more than 20 years involvement in academia. Born in Switzerland, I completed my Leaving Certificate and Federal Maturity in Zug, Berne and Zurich. I later studied English Linguistics and Literature at the University of Zurich. Following three years as teaching assistant in Zurich, I was appointed lecturer in German and Cultural Studies at University College Cork (2002) and University of Limerick (2003). I was awarded a Dr phil (PhD) in English Linguistics by the University of Zurich in 2005.

In 2007, I was appointed permanent lecturer in applied linguistics at ZHAW and became professor in 2012. Since my appointment at ZHAW, I have occupied various other roles in different higher education institutions, including University of Bern, University of Neuchâtel, BFH, and HEP-BEJUNE.

I have published and edited various articles in journals and books and have a wide teaching background in applied linguistics, cultural studies, translation studies, sociolinguistics, stylistics and discourse analysis.
Current position:
  • Professor of Applied Linguistics at Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW (since 2012)
Academic degrees:
  • Dr. phil. (University of Zurich, 2005)
  • Lic. phil./ M.A. (University of Zurich, 1999)
Previous university positions:
  • 2007-2011: College Lecturer in Applied Linguistics (permanent position), School of Applied Linguistics, ZHAW (Switzerland)
  • 2003-2007: Fulltime College Lecturer / Embassy of Switzerland Lecturer, University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College (Ireland)
  • 2002-2003: Fulltime College Lecturer, Department of German, University College Cork (Ireland)
  • 1999-2002: Teaching and Research Assistant, English Department, University of Zurich (Switzerland)
PostDoc / Research fellowships:
  • 2014-2016: Visiting Researcher HEP BEJUNE (University of Teacher Education, Cantons of Bern, Jura, Neuchâtel, in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland)
  • 2007-2010: Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Leader 'Discourses on Multilingualism at the supranational European level', Department of Linguistics, University of Bern, LINEE (Languages in a Network of European Excellence)
Visiting scholarships:
Visiting lectureships:
  • 2010-2016: Visiting Lecturer, Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH-TI)
  • 2010-2011: Visiting Lecturer, Department of English, University of Neuchâtel
Administrative duties:
  • Member of the Board of ILC Institute of Language Competence, School of Applied Linguistics, ZHAW (2019-)
  • Member of the Board of LCC Language Competence Centre, School of Applied Linguistics, ZHAW (2012-2018)

other mandates i have...

Board Membership:


Review activities:

  • External reviewer / examiner of PhD theses
  • Reviewer of Scientific Project Proposals
  • Member of Scientific Committees for International Conferences
  • Member of Project Advisory Boards
  • Ad-hoc Peer-Reviewer of Articles / Book Manuscripts for (in alphabetic order):
    • Bloomsbury Academic / Continuum Publishing
    • Swiss Journal of Applied Linguistics VALS-ASLA / Bulletin VALS-ASLA
    • Collegium Antropologicum
    • Forum: Qualitative Social Research / Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung
    • Handbooks of Linguistics and Communication Science
    • International Journal of Applied Linguistics
    • Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education JICB
    • Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development JMMD
    • Journal of Studies in International Education JSIE
    • Teaching and Teacher Education TATE
  • Appointed member of nomination / professional promotion panels

Professional Membership:

  • ICLHE (Integrating Content and Language in Higher Education)
  • SSG/SSL (Schweizerische Sprachwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft)
  • VALS-ASLA (Vereinigung für Angewandte Linguistik der Schweiz)