Karen Nicholls MA, BA, SFHEA
Principal Lecturer
Summary
I am a principal lecturer in English for Academic Purposes and I lead the provision of academic language development for the University. This includes pre-sessional courses, the International Foundation Programme, in-sessional provision and a range of short courses for external partners. I also lead the Academic Language and Literacies project for the University. My specialisms are in designing bespoke and collaborative provision for language development in higher education. My external work includes being a BALEAP Accreditation Scheme assessor and I am currently studying for a PhD in Education.
About
I've worked in a diverse range of UK higher education institutions as a lecturer in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and before that as an English language teacher in Japan, Namibia and the UK. I have taught and led pre-sessional and in-sessional EAP courses in different institutions and I now lead the provision across Sheffield Hallam University. My interests in language, learning and inclusive and equitable pedagogies have led me to start my PhD studies in language development in higher education.
Teaching
English for Academic Purposes including a range of pre-entry, undergraduate and postgraduate courses
Post-graduate TESOL teacher education modules
Academic Language and Literacies project
Research
I am currently studying for my PhD in Education with a focus on language development in higher education. My previous research has focussed on issues including motivation, listening in EAP, and course design.
Publications
Journal articles
Nicholls, K. (2021). Illuminating expertise in academic language development: English for Academic Purposes practitioners in the UK. International Journal of English for Academic Purposes: Research and Practice, 2021 (Autumn), 167-190. http://doi.org/10.3828/ijeap.2021.11
Nicholls, K. (2019). ‘You have to work from where they are’: academic leaders’ talk about language development. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 1-18. http://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2019.1658922
McGrath, L., Negretti, R., & Nicholls, K. (2019). Hidden expectations: Scaffolding subject specialists' genre knowledge of the assignments they set. Higher Education. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-019-00373-9
Book chapters
Nicholls, K. (2010). The 'Essay Literacy' Gap, an Online Resource and a Usability Test. In Developing Academic Literacy. (pp. 171-180). Oxford, England: Peter Lang Publishing Inc
Presentations
Nicholls, K. (2023). Challenges in developing a systematic approach to interdisciplinary collaboration to embed academic language and literacies into the curriculum: a case study. Presented at: Society for Research into Higher Education International Conference 2023, Aston University, U.K
Nicholls, K., Axelby, J., & Moore, N. (2021). Authenticity as a principle of EAP course design. Presented at: European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference 2021, Sheffield Hallam University
Nicholls, K., Axelby, J., & Moore, N. (2021). Authenticity as a principle of EAP course design. Presented at: European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference 2021, Sheffield Hallam University
Moore, N., Axelby, J., & Nicholls, K. (2021). Reducing the attainment gap in UK tertiary education: Pedagogic Interventions using linguistic solutions. Presented at: 30th European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference - Social Semiotics and Social Justice, Sheffield Hallam University
Nicholls, K., & Procter, S. (2021). Embedding academic language as inclusive practice: a transformative collaborative process. Presented at: Transforming Learning Conference, Sheffield Hallam University
Nicholls, K., & Procter, S. (2021). Embedding academic language as inclusive practice: a transformative collaborative process. Presented at: Transforming Learning Conference, Sheffield Hallam University
Nicholls, K., & Procter, S. (2021). Changing conceptualisations of academic language and literacies - a longitudinal study based on collaborative action research. Presented at: Language, Literacies and Learning in the Disciplines: A Higher Education Perspectrive, University of Surrey
Nicholls, K., & Procter, S. (2021). Changing conceptualisations of academic language and literacies - a longitudinal study based on collaborative action research. Presented at: Language, Literacies and Learning in the Disciplines: A Higher Education Perspectrive, University of Surrey
Nicholls, K. (2019). Academic Language and Literacies. Presented at: Invited talk, University of Durham
McGrath, L., & Negretti, R. (2018). Hidden expectations: Scaffolding subject lecturers' genre knowledge of the assignments they set. Presented at: The Future of Genres, Oslo Metropolitan University
Other publications
McGrath, L., & Nicholls, K. (2017). Of writing, wardrobes and windows. Sheffield Institute of Education: https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/sioe/2017/06/15/of-writing-wardrobes-and-windows/?doing_wp_cron=1555361045.3380069732666015625000
Other activities
I contribute to a number of operational and strategic groups that work across the university and I work as an external examiner, and a BALEAP Accreditation Scheme assessor.