Dr Dimitrinka Atanasova
Senior Lecturer in Intercultural CommunicationResearch Overview
I am interested in health & science communication and the role of culture in communication. I have researched topics like obesity, mental health, climate change, sustainability, nitrogen pollution. I draw on theories and methods from applied linguistics, media & communication studies, and sociology. Particular areas of interest are the communication of health & science topics in various media through culturally embedded frames and metaphors; how people discuss health & science topics using various media and how their communicative practices may vary across cultures; the role of culture in education settings. I coordinate the Culture and Communication Research Network (CULCOM).
Career Details
I have worked as a Media Consultant at a media analysis and technology company leading pharma and technology projects. I held research positions at Queen Mary, University of London (School of Languages, Linguistics & Film), University of Sheffield (Information School) and University of Leicester (School of Media, Communication & Sociology) and taught as an Associate Lecturer at University of Leicester (School of Media, Communication & Sociology). I do occasional media consultancy work for private, public and third sector clients.
External Roles
- I am a Founding Member and was also Secretary (March 2015 - February 2019) of the British Association for Applied Linguistics Special Interest Group on Health & Science Communication.
- I regularly review journal articles, book proposals, conference abstracts and funding applications to the Research Councils.
Current Teaching
Convene:
- Intercultural Communication (PG, on campus)
- Intercultural Encounters (PG, on campus)
- Corpus-based Discourse Analysis (PG, distance)
Contribute:
- Understanding Media (UG, on campus)
- Professional Communication (UG, on campus)
- Linguistics (UG, on campus)
Additional Information
Programme administration:
- Director of Studies for the MA in Discourse Studies, the MA in Intercultural Communication, and the MA in Language and Linguistics (October 2018 - September 2023)
PhD Supervision Interests
I am happy to supervise new PhD research projects in the areas of my interest.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Strategic Internationalisation Fund 2022/2023
01/04/2023 → 31/07/2023
Other
Culture and Communication: Making Connections, Transcending Disciplines (CULCOM)
01/03/2023 → 31/07/2023
Research
Constructive news articles as an emerging genre
01/06/2020 → 30/06/2020
Research
The language of nitrogen: Why is understanding of the environmental challenges caused by nitrogen from agriculture so low?
01/02/2019 → 31/08/2019
Research
Together an Active Future
07/01/2019 → 06/07/2019
Research
CASS ESRC Transition Funding
01/04/2018 → 31/03/2023
Research
Organiser: Culture and Communication Network inaugural event
Other
Diabetes UK Expert Reviewer
Other
Metaphors and frames in cross-cultural communication about obesity, climate change and Covid-19
Invited talk
UK Research & Innovation Strategic Priorities Fund Clean Air Consortia Assessment Panel Meeting
Other
UK Research & Innovation Strategic Priorities Fund Clean Air Consortia (Wave 2) Assessment Panel Meeting (Event)
Other Membership
Living with climate change: Motivation & action for lifestyle change (CLIMLIFE), University of Bergen (External organisation)
Membership of committee
UK Research & Innovation Strategic Priorities Fund Clean Air Networks Call (Event)
Other Membership
Public Health England (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel
‘What can linguistic analysis tell us about health and science topics?’
Invited talk
Climate change and metaphors in newspaper editorials and op-eds: Cross-country evidence
Invited talk
- Culture and Communication Research Network (CULCOM)
- DisTex - Discourse and Text Research Group
- FASS Health Hub