Sociolinguistics, Diversity and Action (SODIAC)

The increasing diversification of populations across Europe has made improving social cohesion and diminishing educational inequality a pertinent concern. Language plays a central part in debates about inclusion and education, where two conflicting contentions are central: (1) minority students are disadvantaged by the school curriculum’s standard language and would do better if the curriculum allowed linguistic flexibility; (2) such students need more rather than less standard language competence as a precondition to their social mobility and integration.

Research focus and aims

The SODIAC network brings together academics from socio- and appAlied linguistics, education and musical anthropology with practitioners from creative youth projects and public policy to explore how we can transcend this dilemma. Working across national, disciplinary and professional borders SODIAC aims to advance sociolinguistic theory and research on language and diversity and strenghten its connection to practice and action.

The participating scholars from different European contexts contribute different types of expertise:

  • KCL with emphasis on creative linguistic projects and schooling;
  • ULB on language policy and media uptake;
  • UCPH on leisure activities and hip hop culture; and VIA UC on literacy and teacher training.

Affiliates

  • Mahtab Beigi (MA in social science), Project manager and educational consultant for CPH city council’s youth administration
  • Ali Sufi (MA in public policy), Hip hop artist, producer and youth mentor. 

In addition the network includes 6 affiliated PhD students (2 in Denmark, 2 in Belgium, 2 in United Kingdom)

Researchers

External researchers

Researchers from UCPH

Name Title Phone E-mail
Ag, Astrid Associate Professor +4535328486 E-mail
Madsen, Lian Malai Professor +4535328319 E-mail