Dr Dawn Knight
Lecturer in Applied Linguistics & TESOL

  • Email: dawn.knight@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 222 5436
  • Address: Room 2.04A
    School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
    King George VI Building
    Newcastle University
    Queen Victoria Road
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 7RU
Background:

Dawn is a lecturer in Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

Qualifications:

BA in English Studies, The University of Nottingham (2003)
MA in Applied Linguistics, The University of Nottingham (2004)
PhD in Applied Linguistics, The University of Nottingham (2009)

Previous positions: 

For the last 6 years Dawn has worked on the ESRC funded DReSS (Digital Records for eSocial Science) interdisciplinary project involving a team of academic researchers from the Schools of Psychology, Computer Science, English Studies and the Mixed Reality Lab at The University of Nottingham (see 'research' for more information).

Positions of responsibility: 
  • Research Assistant for CRAL (The Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics) at Nottingham University (2005 - current)
  • Research Assistant for IVACS (Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies), a research group involving members from Mary Immaculate College, the University of Limerick and the University of Nottingham (2005 - current) 
  • BAAL (British Association for Applied Linguistics) Postgraduate Development & Liaison Officer (2007-2009)
  • BAAL (British Association for Applied Linguistics) Meetings Secretary (2010 - current)

Dawn was the assistant organiser for the IVACS (Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies) 2006 conference which was held at the University of Nottingham, and assistant organiser of the CLARET corpus workshop (Corpus Linguistics Advanced Research Education and Training) held at the University of Nottingham in 2008. She also organised and convened the 'Applied Methodologies in Applied Linguistics' PG workshop at BAAL 2008 and the 'What next?.....' life after an MA and/or PhD' workshop held at BAAL 2009.

Research interests: 

Dawn has research interests in areas of corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, lexico-grammar, learning and technology and the socio-linguistic contexts of communication.

Aside from these areas of research, she is also interested in the following:

  • The use of mobile technologies in learning, the use of language and gesture in the classroom (and in contexts where digital platforms are used to enable/enhance teaching).
  • The utility of information and communication and emergent technologies in the application and development of pedagogic approaches for language teaching/learning.
  • The description of language use in context (from the classroom to the ‘wild’).

She hopes to explore these areas of research in more detail, in collaboration with colleagues at Newcastle University.  

Research Experience:

From 2005-2006 Dawn was employed to work as part of the CRAL team (Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics at Nottingham University) working on the ESRC funded HeadTalk project. HeadTalk was a one year project involving staff from CRAL and the School of Computer Science and IT. It dealt with the development of an integrated framework for recording, representing and analysing visual and verbal elements of conversation, allowing for the exploration of the roles and nature of gesture-in-talk. There was a specific focus upon codifying and analysing backchannels (marking active listenership) in conversation, exploring, in particular, a subset of these: head nods.

In conjunction with this, she was also involved in work on the 3-year DReSS Project: Understanding New Forms of Digital Record project (2005 - 2008). This project existed as part of the ESRC funded National Centre for eSocial Science (NCeSS) Node programme, and involved staff in the Mixed reality Lab (MRL) in the School of Computer Science and IT, the School of Psychology at Nottingham and CRAL. The aim of this project was to develop a multi-modal corpus resource and, in the process, to gain a better understanding of how technical processes and assumptions implied in the organisation of such a resource might affect our analysis, and our understanding of human interaction. It explored the technical processes of assembling, structuring, refining and analysing digital records with the specific aim of co-designing and developing a multi-modal corpus of naturally occurring discourse.

From 2008-11 Dawn worked as a research fellow on the ESRC-funded DReSS II project which sought to allow for the collection and collation of a wider range of heterogeneous datasets for linguistic research, with the aim of facilitating for the investigation of the interface between multiple modes of communication in everyday life. Records of everyday (inter)actions, including SMS messages, MMS messages, interaction in virtual environments (instant messaging, entries on personal notice boards etc.), GPS data, face-to-face situated discourse, phone calls and video calls provided the ‘data’ for this research. DReSS II sought to explore how such data can be utilised to enable a more detailed investigation of the interface between these different communicative modes. 

Dawn has also worked as a Research Assistant on various other EPSRC and AHRC funded projects including Soultracker (with drama scholars) and Thrill (with geospatial science) at The University of Nottingham. Further to this, she was heavily involved with the construction of the 1 million word CANELC corpus (Cambridge and Nottingham eLanguage Corpus), in collaboration with Cambridge University Press (CUP).

Dawn has presented research from her PhD studies (which was funded by an ESRC +3 award) and the research projects listed above at an expansive range of national and international academic conferences (see details below). She have also published single authored and collaborative papers in a variety of prestigious peer-reviewed international journals, edited volumes and conference proceedings. Her first single authored monograph, with Continuum books, was published in 2011.

Research dissemination:

KEYNOTE PAPERS:

  • Knight, D. and Adolphs, S. (Forthcoming, 2011). Multimodal Corpora for Sign Language Research. Invited keynote presentation at the 2nd Symposium in Applied Sign Linguistics. “Documenting Sign Languages for Learning and Teaching Purposes”. Bristol, June 2011.
  • Knight, D. (2011). Mobile and Location-based Data: Capture, Representation and Analysis. Paper presented at the CAQDAS digital social research showcase event, 23rd March 2011, Oxford, UK.

CONFERENCE PAPERS, WORKSHOPS, POSTERS AND DEMO PRESENTATIONS:

  • Walsh, S. and Knight, D. (2012). Investigating small group teaching in a higher education context. Paper presented at the CUP English Profile Seminar, February 2012, Cambridge University.
  • Knight, D. and Adolphs, S. (2012). CANELC: Cambridge and Nottingham eLanguage Corpus. Paper presented at the Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies (IVACS) symposium, January 2012, Cambridge University.
  • Knight, D. and Walsh, S. (2012). Investigating small group teaching in a higher education context. Paper presented at the Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies (IVACS) symposium, January 2012, Cambridge University.
  • Knight, D., Mullany, L., Adolphs, S., Harvey, K., Hunt, D., Smith, C. and Atkins, S. (2011). New Developments in multi-modal Corpus Analysis. Paper presented at World Congress of Applied Linguistics (AILA), August 2011, Beijing, China.
  • Knight, D. And Adolphs, S. (2011). Experiencing space and place: A multi-modal corpus approach. Paper presented at the BAAL annual conference, September 2011, Bristol UWE.
  • Knight, D. and Adolphs, S. (2010). Space, place and SMS: capturing context and network in multimodal corpus development. Paper presented at the BAAL annual conference, September 2010, Edinburgh. 
  • Adolphs, S., Carter, R. and Knight, D. (2010). Second phase multi-modal corpora: Heterogeneous datasets for linguistic analysis. Paper delivered at the 5th Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies (IVACS) conference, June 2010, University of Edinburgh.
  • Knight, D., Tennent, P., Adolphs, S. and Carter, R. (2010). Developing heterogeneous corpora using the Digital Replay System (DRS). Paper delivered at the LREC 2010 (Language Resources Evaluation Conference) Workshop on Multimodal Corpora: Advances in Capturing, Coding and Analyzing Multimodality, May 2010, Giessen, Germany.
  • Knight, D., Carter, R. and Adolphs, S. (2010). Corpora and context: A discussion of ‘Thrill’. Paper presented at the 31st ICAME conference, May 2010, Giessen University, Germany.
  • Knight, D. (2010). Language, Corpora and Context: A 'Thrilling' Case Study. Paper presented at the IVACS Annual Research Symposium, January 2010, University of Leeds.
  • Adolphs, S. and Knight, D. (2009). Language, Corpus and Context: Record, represent and replay. Presentation delivered as part of the Second and Foreign Language Pedagogy Seminar Series, October 2009, School of Education, Nottingham University.
  • Carter, R., Adolphs, S. and Knight, D. (2009). Language, Corpus and Context: ubiquitous computing and corpus development. Paper delivered at the BAAL annual conference, September 2009, Newcastle. 
  • Knight, D., Adolphs, S., Carter, R. and Tennent, P. (2009). A multi-modal approach to the construction and analysis of spoken corpora. A two-hour workshop co-ordinated at the Corpus Linguistics 2009 conference, July 2009, Liverpool University.
  • Knight, D. (2009). Collecting and collating heterogeneous datasets for multi-modal corpora. Paper be presented at the Corpus Linguistics 2009 conference, July 2009, Liverpool University.
  • Adolphs, S., Carter, R. Knight, D., Brundell, P. and Tennent, P. (2009). Constructing and interrogating linguistic corpora using heterogeneous datasets. A two-hour workshop co-ordinated at the 5th International Conference on e-Social Science (ICeSS), Cologne, June 2009.
  • Adolphs, S., Knight, D. and Carter, R. (2009). Redefining context in communication: a multi-modal perspective. Paper presented at the 30th ICAME conference, May 2009, Lancaster University.
  • Knight, D., Adolphs, S. and Carter, R. (2009). Multi-modal corpus construction and analysis. Poster presented at the 30th ICAME conference, May 2009, Lancaster University.
  • Knight, D. and Adolphs, S. (2009). Corpus Perspectives: from production to reception. Paper presented at the Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies (IVACS) Annual Research Symposium, January 2009, University of Edinburgh.
  • Adolphs, S. and Knight, D. (2008). Analysing Discourse Markers: A Multi-Modal Approach. Paper presented at the BAAL 2008 annual conference, September 2008, University of Swansea.
  • Brundell, P., Tennent, P., Greenhalgh, C., Knight, D., Crabtree, A., O’Malley, C., Ainsworth, S., Clarke, D., Carter, R. & Adolphs, S. (2008). Digital Replay system (DRS): A Tool for Interaction Analysis. Paper delivered at the International Conference for the Learning Sciences 2008 (ICLS), Utrecht, The Netherlands. June-July 2008.
  • Brundell, P., Knight, D., Tennent, P., Naeem, A., Adolphs, S., Ainsworth, S., Carter, R., Clarke, D., Crabtree, A., Greenhalgh, C., O’Malley, C., Pridmore, T. and Rodden, T. (2008). The experience of using Digital Replay System for social science research. Paper presented at the 4th International Conference on e-Social Science (ICeSS), the University of Manchester, June 2008.
  • Knight, D. and Evans, D. (2008). Multi-Modal Corpora, Discourse and Gesture. Paper presented at AAAL 2008, Washington DC, US.
  • Knight, D. (2008). Gesturing power in dyadic conversations: A study of academic supervisory meetings. Paper delivered at the 4th Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies (IVACS) conference, June 2008, University of Limerick.
  • Knight, D. and Tennent, P. (2008). Introducing DRS: A tool for the future of Corpus Linguistic research and analysis. Poster presentation with demo, delivered at the 6th Language Resources and Evaluation Conference (LREC), Palais des Congrés Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakech, Morocco.
  • Knight, D., Adolphs, S., Tennent, P. and Carter, R. (2008). The Nottingham Multi-Modal Corpus: A Demonstration. Paper during the ‘Multimodal Corpora’ workshop held at the 6th Language Resources and Evaluation Conference (LREC), Palais des Congrés Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakech, Morocco.
  • Adolphs, S., Knight, D. and Evans, D. (2007). Multi-modal corpora. Presentation delivered as part of the CRAL seminar series, University of Nottingham, October 2007.
  • Adolphs, S. and Knight, D. (2007). HeadTalk. Presentation delivered as part of the Technologies for Enhancing Visual Methods workshop at the 3rd International eSocial Science Conference (ICeSS), University of Michigan, US. 
  • Tennent, P. and Knight, D. (2007). Multi-modal corpora: Adapting gesture recognition techniques for linguistic analysis. Poster delivered at the 3rd International eSocial Science Conference (ICeSS), October 2007, University of Michigan, US.
  • Adolphs, S., Carter, R., Knight, D. and Evans, D. (2007). e-Social Science and Applied Linguistics: a multimodal corpus case study. Paper delivered at the New Horizons in Linguistics symposium, September 2007, University of Oxford.
  • Knight, D., Evans, D., Carter, R. and Adolphs, S. (2007). Multi-modal corpus design, construction and use. Paper delivered at the BAAL 2007 annual conference, September 2007, University of Edinburgh.
  • Knight, D., Evans, D., Adolphs, S. and Carter, R. (2007). Approaching the problems: Capturing, coding and analysing gesture in multi-modal communication data. Paper delivered at the Corpus Linguistics 2007 Conference, July 2007, University of Birmingham.
  • Knight, D. (2007). HeadTalk: The development and exploration of multi-modal linguistic corpora. Paper delivered at the Annual Nottingham University Postgraduate Symposium, 2007.
  • Knight, D. (2006). Little old ladies and dodgy old men: An exploration of the representation of old age in everyday spoken discourse. Paper delivered at GLoBE conference, September 2006, University of Warsaw.
  • Carter, R., Knight, D. and Adolphs, S. (2006). Head-talk: Towards a Multi-Modal Corpus. Paper delivered at the BAAL 2006 annual conference, September 2006, University College, Cork. 
  • Knight, D., Bayoumi, S., Mills, S., Crabtree, A., Adolphs, S., Pridmore, T. and Carter, R. (2006).  Beyond the Text: Construction and Analysis of Multi-Modal Linguistic Corpora. Paper presented at 2nd International Conference on e-Social Science (ICeSS), Manchester, 28 - 30 June 2006.
  • French, A., Wright, M., Greenhalgh, C., Knight, D., Brundell, P., O'Malley, C., Ainsworth, S., Clarke, D. and Tom Rodden. (2006). ‘Replaytool’ software in practice. Poster presented at the 2nd annual international eSocial Science Conference (ICeSS), June 2006, Manchester University.
  • Knight, D., Adolphs, S. and Carter, R. (2006). The Multi-Modal Corpus: Coding and representing data- the issues. Paper delivered at the 3rd Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies conference, May 2006, University of Nottingham.
  • Knight, D. and Adolphs, S. (2006). Analysing Spoken Corpora: Methodological Issues and Technological Challenges. Delivered at the BAAL SIG Seminar (Special Interest Group: Corpus Linguistics), April 2006, The Open University, Milton Keynes.
  • Knight, D. (2006). Developing a Multi-Modal Corpus: Data Coding Issues. Paper delivered at the Inter-Varietal Applied Corpus Studies (IVACS) Annual Research Symposium, February 2006, University of Limerick.
Current teaching responsibilities: 

Dawn is the MA module leader for 'An Introduction to Corpus Linguistics' and 'Understanding Second Language Classroom Interaction' and is involved in lecturing on the 'Research Methods' module. She currently has 10 personal tutees in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences and is co-supervising 2 PhD students.

Dawn is currently chair of the MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL staff-student committee and co-ordinator of the ECLS seminar series. She is also an executive committee member for CRiLLS (Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences).