Dr Lisa McGrath PhD, MA, PGCE, BA (hons), SFHEA
Senior Lecturer
Summary
I am a senior lecturer and researcher in the field of Educational Linguistics, with a specific focus on genre and academic writing. I teach and supervise on courses across the SIoE, and lead the research project module on the MA in Education. I lead and teach on the University English Scheme, and am responsible for designing and delivering bespoke academic English courses across the university. I am also involved in continuing professional development, such as leading writing for publication groups and teaching on the PGcert Higher Education.
Research
To date, my research has focused on textual and contextual facets of writing for international publication and genre pedagogy. In particular, I am interested in connections between the social and epistemological dimensions of disciplines, and the choices academic writers make in terms of textual features, genre and language. My recent research has combined theories of genre and metacognition in both academic writing and continuing professional development contexts. My work has appeared in journals such as Journal of Second Language Writing, English for Specific Purposes, Teaching in Higher Education and Applied Linguistics.
Publications
Journal articles
Negretti, R., & Mcgrath, L. (2022). Setting the stage(s) for English for Research and Publication Purposes: authors, audiences, and learning the craft. Iberica, 43, 7-26. http://doi.org/10.17398/2340-2784.43.13.7
Samatar, A., Madriaga, M., & McGrath, L. (2021). No love found: how female students of colour negotiate and repurpose university spaces. British Journal of Sociology of Education. http://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2021.1914548
Mezek, S., McGrath, L., Negretti, R., & Berggren, J. (2021). Scaffolding L2 Academic Reading and Self-Regulation Through Task and Feedback. TESOL Quarterly. http://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.3018
Negretti, R., & McGrath, L. (2020). English for Specific Playfulness? How doctoral students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics manipulate genre. English for Specific Purposes, 60, 26-39. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2020.04.004
Kaufhold, K., & McGrath, L. (2019). Revisiting the role of 'discipline' in writing for publication in two social sciences. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 40. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2019.06.006
McGrath, L., Negretti, R., & Nicholls, K. (2019). Hidden expectations: Scaffolding subject specialists' genre knowledge of the assignments they set. Higher Education. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-019-00373-9
Negretti, R., & McGrath, L. (2018). Scaffolding genre knowledge and metacognition: Insights from an L2 doctoral research writing course. Journal of Second Language Writing, 40, 12-31. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2017.12.002
McGrath, L., & Kaufhold, K. (2016). English for Specific Purposes and Academic Literacies: Eclecticism in academic writing pedagogy. Teaching in Higher Education, 21 (8), 933-947. http://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2016.1198762
McGrath, L., Berggren, J., & Mežek, Š. (2016). Reading EAP: Investigating high proficiency L2 university students’ strategy use through reading blogs. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 22, 152-164. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2016.03.003
McGrath, L. (2016). Open-access writing: An investigation into the online drafting and revision of a research article in pure mathematics. English for Specific Purposes, 43, 25-36. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2016.02.003
McGrath, L. (2016). Self-mentions in anthropology and history research articles: Variation between and within disciplines. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 21, 86-98. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2015.11.004
McGrath, L. (2015). Dissertation: Writing for publication in four disciplines: Insights into text and context. Fachsprache: International Journal of Specialized Communication, 3-4, 223-227. http://www.fachsprache.net/Issues/current_issue
Kuteeva, M., & Mcgrath, L. (2015). The theoretical research article as a reflection of disciplinary practices: The case of pure mathematics. Applied Linguistics, 36 (2), 215-235. http://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amt042
McGrath, L. (2014). Parallel language use in academic and outreach publication: A case study of policy and practice. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 13, 5-16. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2013.10.008
Kuteeva, M., & McGrath, L. (2014). Taming Tyrannosaurus rex: English use in the research and publication practices of humanities scholars in Sweden. Multilingua, 33 (3-4). http://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2014-0017
McGrath, L., & Kuteeva, M. (2012). Stance and engagement in pure mathematics research articles: Linking discourse features to disciplinary practices. English for Specific Purposes, 31 (3), 161-173. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2011.11.002
Theses / Dissertations
Fleming, K. (2021). Exploring inclusive partnerships: parents, co-production, and the SEND code of practice (2015). (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mcgrath, L. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00419
Presentations
Mežek, Š., McGrath, L., Negretti, R., & Berggren, J. (2022). Scaffolding L2 Academic Reading and Self-Regulation Through Task and Feedback. http://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.3018
Kuteeva, M., & McGrath, L. (2020). Taming Tyrannosaurus Rex: English use in the research and publication practices of humanities scholars in Sweden.
McGrath, L., Berggren, J., & Mezek, S. (2020). Insights into L2 students’ approach to academic reading in an introductory EAP course. Presented at: ASLA Symposium, Södertörn Högskola, Sweden
McGrath, L. (2020). Revisiting discipline in writing for publication in the social sciences. Presented at: AESLA Conference, University of Cadiz, Spain
McGrath, L. (2020). Hidden expectations: scaffolding subject specialists’ genre knowledge of the assignments they set.
McGrath, L., Muir, T., Negretti, R., & Solli, K. (2019). Crossing contexts: doctoral students' writing within and across public sector, industrial and academic institutions. Presented at: Professional, academic and work-based literacies symposium: Work, life, study: literacies in and out of institutions, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
McGrath, L. (2019). Genre, academic literacies and metacognition: Theoretical "wanders" and their implementation in EAP pedagogy. Presented at: International Conference of English for Specific Purposes, University of Crete, Greece
Negretti, R., & McGrath, L. (2019). English for Specific Playfulness? How doctoral students find fun in the development of genre knowledge, authorial voice, and genre innovation. Presented at: EATAW Conference, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
McGrath, L., & Negretti, R. (2019). Scaffolding L2 academic reading and self-regulation through task and feedback. Presented at: BALEAP Conference, University of Leeds, UK
McGrath, L., & Negretti, R. (2018). Hidden expectations: Scaffolding subject lecturers' genre knowledge of the assignments they set. Presented at: NFEAP Conference, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
McGrath, L., & Negretti, R. (2018). Hidden expectations: Scaffolding subject lecturers' genre knowledge of the assignments they set. Presented at: The Future of Genres, Oslo Metropolitan University
Kaufhold, K., & McGrath, L. (2018). Revisiting discipline in writing for publication in the social sciences. Presented at: Department of English Higher Seminar, Stockholm University, Sweden
Negretti, R., & McGrath, L. (2018). Transfer of genre knowledge? On metacognitive scaffolds in the writing for research doctoral class. Presented at: AESLA Conference, University of Cadiz, Spain
McGrath, L. (2017). An ESP genre perspective on teaching writing for publication. Presented at: Department of Higher Education Seminar, University of Surrey, Uk
Negretti, R., & McGrath, L. (2017). From genre knowledge to genre performance: Metacognitive scaffolds in the L2 writing for research classroom. Presented at: EATAW Conference, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
McGrath, L. (2016). Writing for publication in pure mathematics: Insights into text and context. Presented at: Higher Seminar, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Negretti, R., & McGrath, L. (2016). Visualizations of genre as a pedagogical tool in the ‘writing for research’ classroom. Presented at: NFEAP Conference, Norway
McGrath, L., Berggren, J., & Mezek, S. (2015). Reading for an English academic writing course: What novice students do. Presented at: EATAW Conference, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
McGrath, L. (2014). Open access writing: An investigation into the co-authorship of a research article. Presented at: Symposium on Languages for Specific Purposes, Stockholm University, Sweden
Other publications
McGrath, L., & Samatar, A. (2019). Turning the tide of BAME experiences: A call for waves not ripples. https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/sioe/2019/11/05/turning-the-tide-of-bame-experiences-a-call-for-waves-not-ripples/?doing_wp_cron=1576694424.1837360858917236328125
McGrath, L., & Nicholls, K. (2017). Of writing, wardrobes and windows. Sheffield Institute of Education: https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/sioe/2017/06/15/of-writing-wardrobes-and-windows/?doing_wp_cron=1555361045.3380069732666015625000
McGrath, L., & Taylor, L. (2016). A world of EAP. ESP Today: https://www.esptodayjournal.org/pdf/current_issue/3.6.2016/BOOK-REVIEW-LYNDON-TAYLOR-and-LISA-MCGRATH.pdf
Other activities
I peer-review for journals such as Applied Linguistics, English for Specific Purposes, Journal of Second Language Writing and Journal of English for Academic Purposes. I am a member of the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL) and the European Association of Teachers of Academic Writing (EATAW).
I am associate editor of the Journal of English for Academic Purposes.
Postgraduate supervision
I am able to supervise doctoral students in the following areas: academic writing, genre theory and pedagogy, disciplinary discourse, and Language for Specific Purposes (LSP).
Current Students
Katarzyna Maciag (EdD student) Students' experience of academic writing development.
Dave Darwent (EdD student) How learners and assessors use grade descriptors.
Katrina Flemming (PhD student) Parental perspectives on parent/carer-practitioner relationships post SEND Code of Practice 2015.