Welcome to the Centre for Advanced Studies in Language and Communication
The Centre Advanced Studies in Language and Communication (University of York) is an interdisciplinary research centre for the investigation of both basic and applied aspects of language use in a wide variety of social settings. Members of the Centre, from the Departments of Education, Health Sciences, Language and Linguistic Science, Psychology and Sociology, and from the Hull/York Medical School, collaborate in research into how language (and non-verbal conduct) is used both in ordinary social interaction, and in interactions in the workplace and institutional settings (such as medical and health-related, educational, political, employment, industrial, legal and other settings in which outcomes depend so much on the effectiveness of communication between clients and professionals, and between professional colleagues)
The Centre draws on the expertise of its members in the study of language use, including the study of phonetic, syntactic and pragmatic features of language. We bring together a range of methodological and theoretical approaches from our various disciplines. A distinguishing feature of our work is a commitment to investigating the dynamics of interaction and communication, through examining how language is used in sequences of interaction (sequential analysis). Although we draw on a range of methodological perspectives in our research, we work particularly from the methodological standpoint of Conversation Analysis (CA). CA has come in recent years to make a significant contribution to providing a more fully integrated view of language use, one that best accounts for the dynamics of interaction and communication.
Our research in the general area of language use and communication in specialized interactions using the methodology of Conversation Analysis (applied CA), has been recognised in the award recently of two prestigious RCUK Fellowships (Research Councils UK consists of all the UK’s scientific, economic, social and humanities research councils) – one each in the Departments of Language and Linguistic Science, and Sociology. The Fellowships (RCUK Fellows appointed 2006 and 2007 respectively) significantly enhance the Centre's research capacity. Members of the Centre are currently engaged in a variety of funded basic and applied projects, and collaborate with individuals and groups elsewhere in the country on projects where our expertise can assist realising the practical aims of projects.
The Centre provides a platform for
- Basic research into linguistic patterns and processes associated with language use in social interaction
- Applied research into the effectiveness of communication, and strategies for improving communication, in social and organizational settings (for instance, in medical, legal and educational settings, emergency service calls/help lines)
- Developing innovative interdisciplinary research into language use and communication
- Postgraduate training, both doctoral (in Communications Studies), and Masters' training (to be introduced)
- Collaboration with and between other affiliated centres and units (see links below)
- Interdisciplinary collaboration between Centre members, research students, post-doctoral and other visitors
- Training in the methodology of Conversation Analysis, and its implementation in basic and applied research projects
Location
The Centre is situated in a dedicated laboratory (Data Analysis Laboratory) in Wentworth College. Its resources include a full range of (digital) data recording and analysis technology, and workstations (the equivalent of ‘bench space’). Members of the Centre have available additional resources, such as the phonetics laboratory in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science. For directions to the university and to Wentworth click here.
Recent projects
Further information about the projects in which members of the Centre are currently engaged can be found by following the link below. But an indication of the nature and scope of our research is suggested by some of the recent projects in which Centre members have been engaged, including:
An ESRC-funded investigation into the basic linguistic practices and processes associated with affiliation and dis-affiliation in interaction (report rated ‘excellent’)
A Department of Health-funded study of patient participation in decision making in 5 clinical settings (ENT oncology, diabetes clinics, genetics counselling, family planning and homeopathy).
A study for the London Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) of its emergency and non-emergency telephone call-handling services
An AHRC-funded project on indirectness in both everyday and medical interactions other affiliated centres and units (see links below)
Other Related Centres and Units
There are a number of more specialist Centres and Units in participating departments at the University of York which are related to the Centre for Advanced Studies in Language and Communication. Generally, they cover specific areas of language (eg. Language in education, Communication in medical care). The association of these Centres and Units further enhances the capacity for interdisciplinary research collaboration in the relevant areas. For links to these related Centres and Units, click on the links for Centre for Language Research and for Feminist Conversation Analysis Unit.