Dr Sathena Chan
Associate Professor in Language Assessment
Publications on Google Scholar
I am the Director of Institute of Humanities, Education and Arts Research (IHEAR). With a background in Applied Linguistics and language education, I specialise in English language assessment. I work with leading assessment providers in the UK and worldwide to develop and/or validate high-stakes language assessment which are taken by millions of candidates each year. Examples include Integrated Skills of English, PTE Academic, Aptis and IELTS, I am interested in understanding the relationship between task design, L2 language processing and performance using innovative mixed-methods research including eye-tracking, keystroke logging and fMRI. I have led over 35 externally funded projects as PI. The outcomes of my research provide practical solutions for better fit-for-purpose language assessment in the digital age.
In addition, I have conducted policy research for the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Midwifery and Nursing Council (MNC) regarding their language proficiency requirement for registration. See an example on ScienceDirect. I provide consultancies and conduct professional training workshops on various aspects of language assessment and mixed-methods research.
I conduct research on different aspects of large-scale language assessment from construct definition, test design, rating scale to validation. I am interested in the dynamic relations between multimodal input-based tasks, test takers’ cognitive processes and levels of performance. I am also passionate about innovating methodological advancement in L2 research and practice.
I am the President of the UK Association for Language Testing and Assessment (UKALTA) and the Editor-in-Chief of Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics. My previous roles include the SIG Co-ordinator (2020-25) of the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL), overseeing over 20 special interest groups, Chair of the Membership and Nominations Committee (UKALTA) (2023-25) and Convenor (2019-21) of the BAAL Testing, Evaluation and Assessment Special Interest Group (TEA SIG). I regularly review for journals, book publishers and research councils. I am on the editorial board of Innovation of Language Learning and Teaching. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
I welcome proposals for supervision from postgraduate research students in topics on assessing L2 reading, writing and integrated skills, cognitive processes in testing and methodology in language testing practice and research.
Before getting in touch, please be sure to read our guidance on applying to study at CRELLA
Students I currently supervise:
| Ian Newby | Reading-into-writing assessment in an EAP context |
| Steven Jones | An investigation into the pertinent features of high-quality synthesis writing and the impact of teacher feedback on integrated writing skills.
Recipient of 2021 Text Inspector - Research Scholarship Award |
| Sadia Komal | Leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) for English Language Learning, Investigating the Impact of Language Lab VR on Fluency in English Language Learning |
Theses completed under my supervision:
| Dr Tanzeela Anbreen |
L2 writers' revisions in a computer-based academic English writing test task: a keystroke logging study Download the full thesis [PDF] Recipient of 2015 British Council Assessment Research Awards |
| Dr Safia Sheraz |
Investigating types of reading used by native and non-native English readers on academic reading: an eye tracking study |
| Martine Holland | Testing academic literacy in reading and writing for university admissions (MA by Research) |
| Dr Nicola Latimer |
Reading during an academic reading-into-writing task: an eye-tracking study |
My books include 'Defining Integrated Reading-into-Writing Constructs: Evidence at the B2-C1 Interface' (read an excerpt [PDF]) and 'Research and practice in assessing academic English [PDF] (OPEN ACCESS)’ both Cambridge University Press). I have written book chapters on topics such as ‘differences in L2 reading and listening (Routledge) and ‘construct definition at the heart of language assessment (Cambridge University Press). I have also published widely in peer-reviewed journals. According to Scopus (up to 2023), In the REF 2021, five of my publications was part of a submission of which 72% is classed as world leading (the highest possible rating). 57.1%of my articles are in top citation percentiles and 100% in top 25% journals. You can access directly, or find links to my publications through the University Research Portal and on a comprehensive list of CRELLA publications
For a full list of projects, funding, publications, presentations, see Sathena's full CV [PDF]
address
Professor Fumiyo Nakatsuhara
CRELLA
University of Bedfordshire
Putteridge Bury
Hitchin Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK
LU2 8LE
T: +44 (0)01582 743419
E: Fumiyo.Nakatsuhara@beds.ac.uk
telephone
+44 (0)1582 489086