Transmodal Validity, Affect, and Meaning - Making in Language, Literacy, and Assessment

About the Project

Rational and background

I am seeking applications from candidates interested in theory-driven research on language, literacy, and assessment, with a particular focus on validity, affect, and trans/multimodal meaning-making.

Emerging work in transmodality, affect theory, and interactional approaches instead highlights meaning making as embodied, relational, and distributed across modes, materials, and social interaction. This creates space for new understandings of language learning, literacy, assessment, and validity

This recruitment is not a single pre-defined study. Instead, the PhD candidate will develop an independent, conceptually grounded research project aligned with the supervisor’s expertise in transmodal approaches to assessment and educational interaction. Candidates are encouraged to propose original research questions that contribute to theoretical development, methodological innovation, or critical re-examination of dominant frameworks.

Possible areas of focus include (but are not limited to):

• Transmodal and multimodal theories of meaning-making
• Validity, evidence, and inference in language assessment
• Affect, emotion, and interaction in educational contexts
• Embodiment, agency, and relationality in learning and assessment
• Critical perspectives on assessment, accountability, and equity
• Methodological innovation in trans/multimodal or interactional research

Projects may draw on qualitative, interpretive, or mixed methodologies, including multimodal interaction analysis, discourse analysis, ethnography, and video-based research.

PhD students will be based at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore, and will have opportunities to engage with international research collaborations and scholarly networks in multimodality, language assessment, and applied linguistics.

Important Notes:

1. The topics listed above are not exhaustive. Prospective PhD candidates are welcome to propose their own research ideas.
2. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors at least 3 months before the application deadline, as the process of identifying a suitable supervisor and preparing a research proposal may require time.

When you email Assistant Professor Gordon Blaine West, please:

1. Introduce yourself and send your curriculum vitae
2. Share about your academic background
3. Provide information on your research interests and how it is aligned with this project
4. And how you hope to achieve your PhD aspirations

Minimum Entry Requirement

• A Bachelor's degree with honours at least at Second Class Upper level, Master's degree in the relevant areas and the ability to pursue research in the candidate's proposed field of advanced study.
• Shortlisted applicants will undergo an interview session as part of the selection process.
• A valid GRE score is required for applicants who are not graduates of the Autonomous Universities in Singapore. See detailed requirements for English language on competency and GRE requirements here.