Emma Guion Akdağ

Emma's research aims to examine the ways in which relations of power operate through discourses on internationalisation within Higher Education, especially with respect to universities in the Scottish context. The focus underscores an attempt to uncover the relationships between power and knowledge as well as the power invested in internationalisation discourses. A Foucauldian discursive analytical approach is mobilised alongside postcolonial/decolonial thinking to consider how power functions to create discursive operations within internationalisation and its practices.

As a part-time dissertation supervisor for the MSc TESOL programme with the University of Edinburgh and a member of HERG, Emma is interested in research into second language learning, discourse, identity and language teaching and the internationalisation of Higher Education.

Emma taught English as a Foreign Language and was a teacher-trainer and ESP (English for Specific Purposes) trainer for various organisations including the British Council, working in France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Syria and Turkey. For Heriot-Watt University, she has trained teachers in Turkmenistan and also lecturers from Sichuan University, China.

Course coordination and teaching: 

In-sessional (Academic Skills) provision

Other roles and responsibilities:

Director, Academic Writing Centre

Vice-Chair, Academic Integrity Group

Chair of the Board of Examiners (UG LINCS, SoSS)

Member the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team.