Dr David O'Reilly

Profile

Biography

I am a Lecturer in Education in the Department of Education’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Language and Education (CASLE) at the University of York. Having studied at York, I joined as a member of academic staff in 2017. My research, teaching and academic leadership span applied linguistics, second language acquisition and educational research.

My research focuses particularly on second language processing and learning, including metaphoric competence, figurative language and the processing of grammatical structures such as modality, tense-aspect, and conditionals. I also investigate metaphor in discussions of suicide and mental health, and inclusion in English language education. Across these areas, I am interested in developing research that advances understanding of language learning while informing educational practice and wider public engagement.

My research has been published in journals including Applied Linguistics, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Applied Psycholinguistics and Language and Cognition. I have also co-edited volumes on metaphoric competence in second language acquisition and inclusive practice in English language teaching. My work has received recognition from the Researching and Applying Metaphor (RaAM) community, and my teaching has been recognised through University and departmental awards.

Alongside my research and teaching, I contribute to academic leadership, research culture and educational enhancement within the Department of Education and the wider University.

Departmental roles

• Chair of the Board of Examiners (2026–present)
• Deputy Research Centre Leader, Centre for Applied Linguistics and Language Education (CASLE) (2023–present)
• Previously: Chair of the Exceptional Circumstances affecting Assessment Committee, Director of PGT Admissions, Standing Academic Misconduct Panel, Academic E-Learning Coordinator.

University roles

• Internal Peer Review College
• University Education Committee Generative Artificial Intelligence Working Group

Research

Overview

My core research focuses on metaphoric competence in second language learning, particularly how learners understand, process and use metaphor and other forms of figurative language. A distinctive strand investigates metaphor language play: how learners engage creatively with metaphor and manipulate figurative language and meanings. I explore how these abilities develop, how they can be measured, and what they reveal about the relationship between language, cognition and communication.

From this central focus, my research has developed in two related directions: investigating metaphor in how people conceptualise and communicate experiences of suicide and mental health, and examining second language processing more broadly, including grammatical structures such as modality, tense-aspect and conditionals. Linked to my teaching background, I have also researched inclusion in English language education.

I have developed a Metaphoric Competence Test Battery to investigate learners’ metaphorical abilities and led externally funded research on metaphor in suicide discourse. This work, undertaken with people with relevant lived experience and organisations working in suicide prevention, informed the project's main resource: A “Metaphor Menu” for People Living with Suicidal Thoughts.

My contributions to research infrastructure include previous work as Project Administrator for IRIS, an international repository of language research instruments, materials and data, and contributions to OASIS (Open Accessible Summaries in Language Studies), which makes language research more accessible to wider audiences.

For my publications, research projects, activities and prizes, see my University of York Research Database (PURE) profile.

Research group(s)

• Centre for Advanced Studies in Language and Education (CASLE)

Supervision

I contribute to doctoral supervision through PhD supervision, Thesis Advisory Panels and Progression Panels. I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students whose interests align with my research, particularly metaphoric competence, metaphor language play and creativity, and other topics linked to metaphor.

Teaching

Undergraduate

I teach and have taught on the following undergraduate modules (* denotes module leadership):

• *Advancing Your Expertise
• Academic and Professional Development in Education
• Educational Research Methods
• New Directions in Educational Research
• Researching Psychology in Education

Postgraduate

I teach and have taught on the following postgraduate modules (* denotes module leadership):

• *Research Methods for Psychology in Education I
• *Research Methods for Psychology in Education II
• *Pragmatics: Language, Meaning and Communication
• Artificial Intelligence and Technology-Enhanced Learning: Key Issues and Debates
• English Linguistics
• Evaluating TESOL Practice
• Language Curriculum Design and Evaluation
• Language for Education
• Planning and Communicating Research
• Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis
• Research Methods for Language Education II: Answering Questions
• Research Methods in Language Learning and Teaching
• TESOL Methods
• Testing and Assessment in English Language Teaching

Other teaching

As Academic E-Learning Coordinator, I established the Education E-Learning Hub to support colleagues in developing accessible, sustainable and research-informed approaches to online and blended teaching. This work was recognised through the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award 2021: Covid response category and the Department of Education’s Making the Difference award.

I also co-created and continue to lead the Department’s undergraduate Stage 2 skills provision, supporting students’ academic development, employability and preparation for future study and careers.

External activities

Overview

I contribute to the wider applied linguistics and metaphor research communities through disciplinary leadership, editorial work, peer review, and support for early-career researchers. My external activities also include making research accessible to wider audiences and connecting research with educational practice and public engagement.

Memberships

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Member of the Association for Researching and Applying Metaphor (RaAM)
• Member of the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL)

Editorial duties

I am Review Editor for Metaphor and the Social World (2021–present) and have served on the RaAM Executive Committee in several roles, including Secretary and Ordinary Member. I also review journal articles and research grant applications, and contribute to conference organisation and scientific committees.

Community and non-academic engagement

I founded ‘The METAPHOR column’, an interview series for the Association for Researching and Applying Metaphor (RaAM) newsletter, established in 2015 to share research and perspectives from the metaphor research community. I also contribute to OASIS (Open Accessible Summaries in Language Studies), which makes research accessible to teachers and teacher educators, and engage in wider efforts to communicate research to non-academic audiences.

Invited talks and conferences

For information, please see my University of York Research Database profile.