Dr Dimitrinka Atanasova
Senior Lecturer in Intercultural CommunicationResearch Overview
I research the role of culture in communication - particularly in the context of health & science topics and educaiton contexts. Specific topics of interest include: 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 higher education settings. I have researched issues like obesity, mental health, climate change, sustainability, nitrogen pollution, student diversity and inclusivity using methods and theories from applied linguistics and media & communication studies. I coordinate the Culture and Communication Research Network (CULCOM) - a cross-faculty network at Lancaster University.
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
- Member of the International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) 'Academics & Educators' Special Interest Group.
- Founding Member of the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL) 'Health & Science Communication' Special Interest Group.
- Regular reviewer of journal articles, book proposals, conference abstracts and funding applications to the UK Research Councils (AHRC, ESRC, MRC and NERC).
Current Teaching
Convene:
- Intercultural Communication (PG, on campus)
- Intercultural Encounters (PG, on campus)
- Corpus-based Discourse Analysis (PG, distance)
- Language and Media (UG, on campus)
Contribute:
- Professional Communication (UG, on campus)
- Linguistics (UG, on campus)
- English Language (UG, on campus)
Additional Information
Programme administration:
- Director of Studies for Year 2 and 3 Undergraduate Students (October 2024 - present)
- 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.
Farming and sustainability in Ireland and Northern Ireland
01/05/2024 → 30/04/2025
Research
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 → 31/01/2024
Research
Culture and Communication: Global Perspectives on Business, Education and Health
01/01/1900 → …
Other
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