Research for the Real World: S09E03
Ruanni Tupas, UCL Centre for Applied Linguistics.
Coming from a part of the world where speaking multiple languages is part of life, multilingualism has always been an area of study that’s close to home for Dr Ruanni Tupas. Ruanni joins Dr Keri Wong to discuss how getting to know the lived realities of students and teachers shapes his research and help reconcile academic theorisation with the messiness of the classroom.
We hear about how, in multilingual communities, value is ascribed to some languages over others and how one’s ability to utilise ‘higher valued’ languages – and even accents - reinforces inequalities. For instance, could the push to learn and use English throughout south east Asia ever benefit everyone? And how does Pilipino pop (or P-Pop) music provide a vehicle to transform language from a barrier to an incentive to understand each other better?
Listen to the podcast
Starting academia later in life
Reflections on becoming an early career researcher after teaching, parenting and mentoring, and reassurance for those whose academic path is not straightforward.
01 Jun 2026
UCL Professor to advise Government Skills in new College of Experts
Professor Qing Gu OBE has been appointed to the Government Skills College of Experts to provide evidence-backed advice that will strengthen UK government and public service systems.
28 May 2026
How do you sustain an academic career?
In this episode of Academia et al, Zeinab El Khateeb speaks with Professor Martin Oliver about what it really takes to build a career in academia today.
22 May 2026