Dr. Bernadette O Rourke

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Biography

Professor Bernadette O'Rourke specializes in sociolinguistics and Hispanic studies, focusing on the political and social meanings of language and its influence on society. Her research interests are broad, aiming to explore minority languages, multilingualism, and language policies, emphasizing the dynamics within multilingual societies. She has conducted fieldwork in diverse contexts, such as Galician, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Faroese, examining the experiences of 'new speakers' of minority languages. In recent years, her focus has expanded to include the sociolinguistic aspects of migration and transnational mobilities. O'Rourke has collaborated on various research projects, including the Leverhulme Research Fellowship on language revitalization and has led initiatives under EU COST Action to enhance understanding of new speakers in multilingual Europe. Currently, she is supervising multiple PhD projects related to language dynamics and minority language preservation. O'Rourke’s teaching includes courses on the sociolinguistics of the Spanish-speaking world and the multilingual context of language policy. An active member of the academic community, she has held numerous advisory roles and editorial positions, contributing her expertise to various scholarly institutions and organizations.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor of Sociolinguistics

2015-09-01 — 2019-08-31

Heriot-Watt University • Edinburgh, Scotland

Led research initiatives and supervised PhD projects in the field of sociolinguistics.

Reader in Spanish (Socio)linguistics

2013-09-01 — 2015-08-31

Heriot-Watt University • Edinburgh, Scotland

Focused on research and education in the socio-linguistic aspects of Spanish.

Lecturer in Spanish

2007-09-01 — 2013-08-31

Heriot-Watt University • Edinburgh, Scotland

Delivered courses on Spanish language and culture.

Visiting Research Fellow

2007-01-01 — 2007-03-01

National University of Ireland, Galway • Galway, Ireland

Conducted research in sociolinguistics.

Lecturer in Spanish

2005-09-01 — 2006-08-31

Dublin City University • Dublin, Ireland

Taught Spanish language and culture courses.

Tutor in Spanish

2000-09-01 — 2005-08-31

Dublin City University • Dublin, Ireland

Provided tutoring support for students learning Spanish.

Lectora

1998-09-01 — 2000-08-31

Universidade da Corunha • A Coruña, Spain

Instructed students in Spanish language and culture.

Courses

The Sociolinguistics of the Spanish-speaking World Multilingualism Language Policy Planning European Minority Languages Culture 1 Spanish City: Spanglish Culture 2