Jean Conacher


 
researcher

Biography

Jean Conacher is Associate Professor in German within the School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics and an active member of the Centre for Applied Language Studies at the University of Limerick. 

Her research interests include GDR Studies, literature and film in post-unification Germany, and language-in-education policy, pedagogy and practice. She welcomes enquiries from potential postgraduate students in any of these areas. Recent supervisions include Clive Earls's doctoral study of English-medium degree programmes in Germany (PhD awarded 2013) which was published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2016. She is currently co-supervising 8 doctoral students, including 5 students on the International Structured PhD (ISPhD) programme.

Her publications include Perceptions and Perspectives: Exploring Connections between Ireland and the GDR (ed. with Gisela Holfter and Deirdre Byrnes, 2019), German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture (ed. with Deirdre Byrnes and Gisela Holfter, 2018), and Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration (ed. with Barbara Geraghty, Bloomsbury, 2014). A monograph entitled Transformation and Education in the Literature of the GDR was published by Camden House in January 2020.


Research Interests

GDR Studies; literature and film in post-unification Germany; language-in-education policy, pedagogy and practice; new language-learning environments

If you are interested in collaborative projects and/or postgraduate supervision in any of the above areas, please contact me at jean.conacher@ul.ie.                       

Books

  Year Publication
2020 Transformation and Education in the Literature of the GDR.
Conacher, JE (2020) Transformation and Education in the Literature of the GDR. Rochester, NY: Camden House. [DOI] [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
2021 'Conceptualising Plurilingual Identities in Study Abroad Settings'
Beaven, A.; Conacher, JE (2021) 'Conceptualising Plurilingual Identities in Study Abroad Settings' In: Mitchell, R.; Tyne, H (eds). Language, Mobility and Study Abroad in the Contemporary European Context. New York/London: Routledge. [DOI] [Details]
2018 'Capturing the Zeitgeist: On Human Experience and Personal Historiography in Helga Königsdorf’s 1989 oder Ein Moment Schönheit'
Conacher, JE (2018) 'Capturing the Zeitgeist: On Human Experience and Personal Historiography in Helga Königsdorf’s 1989 oder Ein Moment Schönheit' In: German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture. Leiden/Boston: Brill. [ULIR Link] [Details]
2018 'The Enduring Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture: An Introduction'
Conacher, JE;Byrnes, D.;Holfter, G. (2018) 'The Enduring Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture: An Introduction' In: Byrnes, D.;Conacher, JE;Holfter, G (eds). German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture. Leiden/Boston: Brill. [ULIR Link] [Details]
2020 'Adapting Hein’s 'Willenbrock': Andreas Dresen and the legacy of the GDR ‘ensemble’ tradition'
Conacher, JE (2020) 'Adapting Hein’s 'Willenbrock': Andreas Dresen and the legacy of the GDR ‘ensemble’ tradition' In: Cronin, B; MagShamhráin, R; Preuschoff, N (eds). Adaptation as a Collaborative Art – Process and Practice. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Women at work: Reflections on Social Identity and the Private Self in 'Die Polizistin' (2000), 'Willenbrock' (2005) and 'Steigerlied' (2013)'
Conacher, JE (2017) 'Women at work: Reflections on Social Identity and the Private Self in 'Die Polizistin' (2000), 'Willenbrock' (2005) and 'Steigerlied' (2013)' In: Preece, J.;Hodgin, N (eds). Andreas Dresen. Oxford: Peter Lang. [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2016 'Language as gate-keeper of quality? Exploring Austria's English-only policy for national research funding'
Conacher, JE (2016) 'Language as gate-keeper of quality? Exploring Austria's English-only policy for national research funding' In: Multilingualism and English in Twenty-First-Century Europe. Bern: Peter Lang. [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2014 'Migration and Language Contact'
Conacher, JE;Geraghty, B. (2014) 'Migration and Language Contact' In: Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration. London & New York: Bloomsbury. [Details]
2014 'Migration and Contact: Community and Individual Experience'
Conacher, JE;Geraghty, B (2014) 'Migration and Contact: Community and Individual Experience' In: Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration. London & New York: Bloomsbury. [Details]
2014 'Conclusion'
Geraghty, B;Conacher, JE (2014) 'Conclusion' In: Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration. London & New York: Bloomsbury. [Details]
2014 'Introduction: Approaching Migration, Intercultural Contact and Language Learning'
Geraghty, B;Conacher, JE (2014) 'Introduction: Approaching Migration, Intercultural Contact and Language Learning' In: Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration. London & New York: Bloomsbury. [Details]
2014 'Language Learning: Communicating in the Contact Zone'
Geraghty, B;Conacher, JE (2014) 'Language Learning: Communicating in the Contact Zone' In: Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration. London & New York: Bloomsbury. [Details]
2012 'Internet and Language Learning'
Conacher, JE; Royall, F. (2012) 'Internet and Language Learning' In: Routledge Encyclopedia of Language Teaching and Learning. London and New York: Routledge. [Details]
2009 'Contact, community and continuity: The case of German speakers in mid-west Ireland'
Kelly-Holmes, H;Conacher, JE (2009) 'Contact, community and continuity: The case of German speakers in mid-west Ireland' In: Sprachbegegnung und Sprachkontakt in europäischer Dimension. Frankfurt: Peter Lang. [Details]
2007 ''Die Sehnsucht nach Zugehörigkeit': An exploration of Heimat in the essays and short stories of Helga Königsdorf'
Conacher, JE (2007) ''Die Sehnsucht nach Zugehörigkeit': An exploration of Heimat in the essays and short stories of Helga Königsdorf' In: Local/Global Narratives. Amsterdam: rodopi. [Details]
2007 'Thinking beyond the technology: Towards a broader understanding of new language-learning environments'
Conacher, JE; Kelly-Holmes, H (2007) 'Thinking beyond the technology: Towards a broader understanding of new language-learning environments' In: New Learning Environments for Language Learning. Moving beyond the classroom?. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang. [Details]
2005 'New learning environments: holistic approach or challenge?'
Conacher, JE (2005) 'New learning environments: holistic approach or challenge?' In: Holistic Approaches to Language Learning. [Details]
2004 'Laying good foundations: the language resource centre as meeting-place of policy, pedagogical theory and practice'
Conacher, JE; Murphy, S (2004) 'Laying good foundations: the language resource centre as meeting-place of policy, pedagogical theory and practice' In: ICT and Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice. [Details]
2004 'New language learning and teaching environments: How does ICT fit in?'
Conacher, JE; Taalas, P; Vogel, T (2004) 'New language learning and teaching environments: How does ICT fit in?' In: ICT and Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice. Birmingham: University of Birmingham Press. [Details]
2003 'Meeting half way: An exploration of intercultural exchanges'
Penman, C; Conacher, JE (2003) 'Meeting half way: An exploration of intercultural exchanges' In: Interkulturelles und transkulturelles Lernen im Fremdsprachenunterricht. [Details]
2000 'Helga Königsdorf'
Conacher, JE (2000) 'Helga Königsdorf' In: Encyclopedia of German Literature. [Details]
1996 'The learner's diary: (Self)reflections on the language learning process'
Conacher, JE (1996) 'The learner's diary: (Self)reflections on the language learning process' In: Ab initio Language Learning. A Guide to Good Practice in Universities and Colleges. [Details]
1996 'Native Speaker to Native Speaker: Crossing the Translation Gap'
Conacher, JE (1996) 'Native Speaker to Native Speaker: Crossing the Translation Gap' In: Teaching Translation in Universities. Present and Future Perspectives. [Details]
1996 'LSP research as a basis for classroom applications'
Conacher, J.E.;Royall, F. (1996) 'LSP research as a basis for classroom applications' In: Issues in Languages for Specific Purposes: Theoretical Approaches and Practical Applications. Limerick: University of Limerick. [Details]
1994 'Pressing for change: the case of Helga Königsdorf'
Conacher, JE (1994) 'Pressing for change: the case of Helga Königsdorf' In: Women and the Wende: Social Effects and Cultural Reflections of the German Unification Process. [Details]
1994 'Preparing engineering and science students for study abroad: The need for a specific approach'
Conacher, JE (1994) 'Preparing engineering and science students for study abroad: The need for a specific approach' In: Language Needs in Business. [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
2019 Perceptions and Perspectives: Exploring Connections between Ireland and the GDR
Holfter, G;Byrnes, D;Conacher, JE (Ed.). (2019) Perceptions and Perspectives: Exploring Connections between Ireland and the GDR Trier, Germany: Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier. [Details]
2018 German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture
Byrnes, D;Conacher, JE;Holfter, G (Ed.). (2018) German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture Leiden/Brill: Brill. [Details]
2014 Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration
Geraghty, B.; Conacher, JE (Ed.). (2014) Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration London & New York: Bloomsbury. [Details]
2007 New Learning Environments for Language Learning: Moving Beyond the Classroom?
Conacher, JE; Kelly-Holmes, H (Ed.). (2007) New Learning Environments for Language Learning: Moving Beyond the Classroom? Frankfurt: Peter Lang. [Details]
2004 ICT & Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice
A. Chambers, J. E. Conacher and J. M. Littlemore (Ed.). (2004) ICT & Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice Birmingham: University of Birmingham Press. [Details]
1996 Issues in Languages for Specific Purposes: Theoretical Approaches and Practical Applications
Royall, F.;Conacher, J.E (Ed.). (1996) Issues in Languages for Specific Purposes: Theoretical Approaches and Practical Applications Limerick: University of Limerick. [Details]
1991 The Vital Link: Modern Languages in Science and Technology Degrees
Chambers, A; Conacher, JE (Ed.). (1991) The Vital Link: Modern Languages in Science and Technology Degrees Limerick, Ireland: University of Limerick. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
2023 'Contested memory and narrative within GDR-Polish intercultural landscapes: Ursula Höntsch’s Wir Flüchtlingskinder (1985) and Wir sind keine Kinder mehr (1989)'
Conacher, JE (2023) 'Contested memory and narrative within GDR-Polish intercultural landscapes: Ursula Höntsch’s Wir Flüchtlingskinder (1985) and Wir sind keine Kinder mehr (1989)'. Transit, [Details]
2021 'The Study Abroad Experience: Plurilingualism in Blended Spaces?'
Conacher, JE (2021) 'The Study Abroad Experience: Plurilingualism in Blended Spaces?'. Germanistik in Ireland:Yearbook of the German Studies Association of Ireland, 16 :131-144 [Details]
2016 'Transformation and Education in GDR Youth Literature: A Script Theory Approach'
Conacher, JE (2016) 'Transformation and Education in GDR Youth Literature: A Script Theory Approach'. International Research in Children's Literature, 9 (1):65-82 [DOI] [Details]
2008 'Home Thoughts on Abroad`: Zur Identität und Integration irischer ERASMUS-StudentInnen in Deutschland'
Conacher, JE (2008) 'Home Thoughts on Abroad`: Zur Identität und Integration irischer ERASMUS-StudentInnen in Deutschland'. GERMAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, 2008/2 :1-20 [Details]
1998 'An evaluation of the use of new technology for purposes of language learning: the Internet for students of languages'
Conacher, JE; Royall, F (1998) 'An evaluation of the use of new technology for purposes of language learning: the Internet for students of languages'. LANGUAGE LEARNING JOURNAL, 18 (*):37-41 [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
2011 'Zur Optimierung des ERASMUS-Studienaufenthalts im englischsprachigen Raum'
Conacher,JE (2011) 'Zur Optimierung des ERASMUS-Studienaufenthalts im englischsprachigen Raum' Zeitschrift für Beratung und Studium, 3 :69-74. [Details]
1995 'Has anyone seen the translator? Literary translation in theory and practice'
Conacher, JE; Ellickson, T (1995) 'Has anyone seen the translator? Literary translation in theory and practice' Translation Ireland, 9 (1) . [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
2018 Aligning Language Assessment in Higher Education with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A Quality Assurance Approach
Batardière, Marie-Thérèse; Conacher, Jean E.; Kelly, Michael G. (2018) 'Challenges, Opportunities and Benefits Identified in a CEFR Implementation Process Across Languages and Degree Programmes' Aligning Language Assessment in Higher Education with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A Quality Assurance Approach Maynooth University, , 08-JUN-18 - 08-JUN-18 [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
2021 Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day 2021,
Conacher, JE (2021) Plurilngualism and the study abroad experience. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day 2021, University of Limerick , 26-MAY-21 - 26-MAY-21 [Details]
2019 German Studies Association 2019,
Conacher, JE (2019) On contested memory and narrative within GDR-Polish intercultural relations: Ursula Höntsch’s Wir Flüchtlingskinder (1985) and Wir sind keine Kinder mehr (1990). [Oral Presentation], German Studies Association 2019, Portland, Oregon , 03-OCT-19 - 06-OCT-19 [Details]
2019 Women in German Studies 31st Annual Conference,
Conacher, JE (2019) ‘Navigating familiar and unfamiliar landscapes: Jenny Erpenbeck’s Gehen, ging, gegangen (2017)’. [Oral Presentation], Women in German Studies 31st Annual Conference, University College Dublin, Dublin , 08-NOV-19 - 09-NOV-19 [Details]
2018 Women's Writing and Science,
Conacher, JE (2018) Processes of Recovery in Helga Königsdorf’s Respektloser Umgang [Fission]. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Women's Writing and Science, Institute of Modern Language Research, University of London , 18-MAY-18 - 18-MAY-18 [Details]
2018 Aligning Language Assessments in Higher Education with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): a Quality Assurance Approach,
Conacher, J.E., Batardière, M-T., and Kelly, M.G. (2018) Challenges, opportunities and benefits of a CEFR implementation process across languages and degree programmes. [Invited Oral Presentation], Aligning Language Assessments in Higher Education with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): a Quality Assurance Approach, NUI Maynooth [Details]
2018 New Perspectives on Language and Teaching Cross-Sector Annual Conference,
Conacher, JE (2018) Flow Theory and language-learner motivation: The benefits of cross-stage student research. [International Refereed Conference], New Perspectives on Language and Teaching Cross-Sector Annual Conference, St Andrews , 09-JUN-18 - 09-JUN-18 [Details]
2016 Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day,
Conacher, JE (2016) “Englisch als Antragssprache“: Gatekeeper or Trojan horse of Austrian national research funding?. [Oral Presentation], Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day, University of Limerick , 25-MAY-16 - 25-MAY-16 [Details]
2015 Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics Research Seminar Series,
Conacher, JE (2015) Challenging the script? Transformation and education in GDR youth literature. [Oral Presentation], Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics Research Seminar Series, University of Limerick , 16-SEP-15 - 16-SEP-15 [Details]
2015 Annual Conference of the German Studies Association of Ireland (GSAI),
Conacher, JE (2015) Life lessons from the classroom: Representations of subject teachers in GDR literature. [National Refereed Conference Paper], Annual Conference of the German Studies Association of Ireland (GSAI), National University of Ireland Galway , 13-NOV-15 - 14-NOV-15 [Details]
2014 Process and Practice: Adaptation Considered as a Collaborative Art (UCC),
Conacher, J.E. (2014) A collaborative cinematic project? Adapting Hein’s Willenbrock. [National Refereed Conference Paper], Process and Practice: Adaptation Considered as a Collaborative Art (UCC), University College Cork , 03-OCT-14 - 04-OCT-14 [Details]
2014 25 Jahre Mauerfall – Reflections on GDR literature, its legacy and connections between the GDR and Ireland (UL),
Conacher, J.E. (2014) “Our Berlin Wall” in the Irish Times: From global event to domestic metonym. [National Refereed Conference Paper], 25 Jahre Mauerfall – Reflections on GDR literature, its legacy and connections between the GDR and Ireland (UL), University of Limerick , 07-NOV-14 - 08-NOV-14 [Details]
2011 University College Lecture Series (University of Melbourne),
Conacher, J.E. (2011) Exploring linguistic culture as a stepping-stone to understanding language policy and practice: Ireland in the spotlight. [Invited Lecture], University College Lecture Series (University of Melbourne), University of Melbourne , 27-MAR-11 - 27-MAR-11 [Details]
2009 Technology Enhanced Language Teaching and Learning (SOAS, Univ. of London),
Conacher, J.E. (2009) Using technologies in language learning, teaching and research: challenges and opportunities for the language profession. [Invited Lecture], Technology Enhanced Language Teaching and Learning (SOAS, Univ. of London), School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London , 12-NOV-09 - 12-NOV-09 [Details]
2004 Literature to Film – Film to Literature (NUIG),
Conacher, J.E., (2004) Aesthetics and cultural politics under the microscope: The case of Das Kaninchen bin ich. [National Refereed Conference Paper], Literature to Film – Film to Literature (NUIG), NUI Galway , 02-APR-04 - 04-APR-04 [Details]
2004 Autonomy and Language Learning: Maintaining Control (HKUST),
Conacher, J.E (2004) Autonomy, community and membership: Gaining and maintaining control. [International Refereed Conference], Autonomy and Language Learning: Maintaining Control (HKUST), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , 14-JUN-04 - 18-JUN-04 [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
2003 Assessment of Achievement Programme First Survey of Modern Languages (French and German) 2001.
McPake, J., Conacher, J.E., Johnstone, R., Thorpe, G. and S. Kirk, (2003) Assessment of Achievement Programme First Survey of Modern Languages (French and German) 2001. Scottish Executive Education Department, Edinburgh. [Details]
2002 The Stirling-Besançon Telephone Partnership, 2000-2002: A SCOTLANG Project.
Duncan, A., Conacher, J.E., Low, L. and C. Penman (2002) The Stirling-Besançon Telephone Partnership, 2000-2002: A SCOTLANG Project. Scottish CILT, Stirling. [Details]
2002 Evaluation of the Clackmannanshire MLPS Visiting Specialist Programme.
Low, L. Johnstone, R., and J.E. Conacher, (2002) Evaluation of the Clackmannanshire MLPS Visiting Specialist Programme. Scottish CILT, Stirling. [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
1986 Douglas Yates Prize for German Translation University of Aberdeen
1983 DAAD Scholarship (German Academic Exchange Service) DAAD

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Association for German Studies in Great Britain and Ireland Member 01-SEP-90 /
Royal Irish Academy Member, Committee for Modern Language, Literary and Cultural Studies 01-SEP-09 / 14-JUN-14
Association of Third-Level Teachers of German in Ireland (ATLTGI) Co-Chair 14-OCT-08 / 06-NOV-10
Association of Third-Level Teachers of German in Ireland (ATLTGI) Committee Member (co-opted) 01-NOV-07 / 11-OCT-08
German Studies Association of Ireland (formerly ATLTGI) ordinary member 12-OCT-97 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
University of Limerick Senior Lecturer in German 15-DEC-96 /
University of Limerick Lecturer in German 01-SEP-91 / 14-DEC-96
University of Limerick Assistant Lecturer in German 15-OCT-90 / 31-AUG-91
Scottish CILT, University of Stirling Research & Development Fellow 01-OCT-00 / 30-JUN-02
Wilhelm-Pieck-Universität, Rostock, GDR Gastlektorin für Englisch 01-OCT-86 / 31-JUL-87
University of Aberdeen Demonstrator, Department of German 01-SEP-88 / 30-JUN-90

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
1986 University of Aberdeen Master of Arts
2018 Institute of Linguists Diploma in Translation German-English
1991 University of Aberdeen Ph.D.

Languages

  Language Reading Writing Speaking
German Fluent Fluent Fluent
French Fluent Functional Functional
Italian Functional Basic Basic
Portuguese Basic Basic Basic

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests are wide-ranging and research-informed.

Within German Studies, I teach language, literature and culture across a range of modules, with a particular interest in GDR Studies, 20th & 21st century literature and applied language studies (grammar in context, translation and interpreting).

At postgraduate level within Teacher Education, I am centrally involved in the teaching of language pedagogy (particularly target-language teaching, learner autonomy and syllabus & planning for the language classroom) for students on the Professional Masters in Education (Languages).                      

Modules Taught

  Term (ID)) Title Link Subject
Autumn Year 1 lecture series on Germany 1871-1945 & Grammar in Context GE4211German for Beginners 1
Autumn Year 1 lecture series on Germany 1871-1945 and introduction to 20th century literature GE4141/GE4241Introduction to German Studies
Autumn German-English translation GE4147/GE4247German Language and Society 5: Germany, Europe and Beyond
Autumn Language Pedagogy 1: The Language Teacher as Professional Practitioner LP6011language pedagogy
Spring Year 1 Lecture Series on GDR and post-Wende plus Grammar in Context GE4212German for Beginners 2
Spring German-English translation and introduction to bilateral interpreting GE4248German Language, Culture and Society 6