Biography
Jean Conacher is Senior Lecturer 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.
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).
Professional Activities
Education
- 2018 Institute of Linguists - Diploma in Translation
- 1991 University of Aberdeen - Ph.D.
- 1986 University of Aberdeen - Master of Arts
Association
- 2009 Member, Committee for Modern Language, Literary and Cultural Studies, Royal Irish Academy
- 2008 Co-Chair, Association of Third-Level Teachers of German in Ireland (ATLTGI)
- 2007 Committee Member (co-opted), Association of Third-Level Teachers of German in Ireland (ATLTGI)
- 1997 ordinary member, German Studies Association of Ireland (formerly ATLTGI)
- 1990 Member, Association for German Studies in Great Britain and Ireland
Employment
- 2000 Scottish CILT, University of Stirling - Research & Development Fellow
- 1996 University of Limerick - Senior Lecturer in German
- 1991 University of Limerick - Lecturer in German
- 1990 University of Limerick - Assistant Lecturer in German
- 1988 University of Aberdeen - Demonstrator, Department of German
- 1986 Wilhelm-Pieck-Universität, Rostock, GDR - Gastlektorin für Englisch
Award
- 1986 - Douglas Yates Prize for German Translation
- 1983 - DAAD Scholarship (German Academic Exchange Service)
Language
- German
- French
- Italian
- Portuguese
Publications
Books
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: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781787445390
Book Chapters
Conceptualising Plurilingual Identities in Study Abroad Settings
Beaven, A.; Conacher, JE
(2021)
Conceptualising Plurilingual Identities in Study Abroad Settings
In Language, Mobility and Study Abroad in the Contemporary European Context;
Mitchell, R.; Tyne, H.(Ed.)
New York/London :
Routledge
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003087953
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 Adaptation as a Collaborative Art Process and Practice;
Cronin, B; MagShamhráin, R; Preuschoff, N.(Ed.)
Cham, Switzerland :
Palgrave Macmillan
DOI: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-25161-1_10
[ULIR]
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]
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 German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture;
Byrnes, D.;Conacher, JE;Holfter, G.(Ed.)
Leiden/Boston :
Brill
[ULIR]
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 Andreas Dresen;
Preece, J.;Hodgin, N.(Ed.)
Oxford :
Peter Lang
DOI: 10.3726/b10540 (E-book)
[ULIR]
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: 10.3726/b10460
[ULIR]
Migration and Language Contact
Conacher, JE;Geraghty, B.
(2014)
Migration and Language Contact
In Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration;
London & New York :
Bloomsbury
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
Conclusion
Geraghty, B;Conacher, JE
(2014)
Conclusion
In Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration.;
London & New York :
Bloomsbury
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
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
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
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
'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
Amsterdam
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
New learning environments: holistic approach or challenge?
Conacher, JE
(2005)
New learning environments: holistic approach or challenge?
In Holistic Approaches to Language Learning;
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;
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
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;
Helga Königsdorf
Conacher, JE
(2000)
Helga Königsdorf
In Encyclopedia of German Literature;
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;
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;
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
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.;
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.;
Edited Books
Perceptions and Perspectives: Exploring Connections between Ireland and the GDR
(2019)
Perceptions and Perspectives: Exploring Connections between Ireland and the GDR
Holfter, G;Byrnes, D;Conacher, JE(Ed.)
Trier, Germany :
Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier
German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture
(2018)
German Reunification and the Legacy of GDR Literature and Culture
Byrnes, D;Conacher, JE;Holfter, G(Ed.)
Leiden/Brill :
Brill
Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration
(2014)
Intercultural Contact, Language Learning and Migration
Geraghty, B.; Conacher, JE(Ed.)
London & New York :
Bloomsbury
New Learning Environments for Language Learning: Moving Beyond the Classroom?
(2007)
New Learning Environments for Language Learning: Moving Beyond the Classroom?
Conacher, JE; Kelly-Holmes, H(Ed.)
Frankfurt :
Peter Lang
ICT & Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice
(2004)
ICT & Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice
A. Chambers, J. E. Conacher and J. M. Littlemore(Ed.)
Birmingham :
University of Birmingham Press
Issues in Languages for Specific Purposes: Theoretical Approaches and Practical Applications
(1996)
Issues in Languages for Specific Purposes: Theoretical Approaches and Practical Applications
Royall, F.;Conacher, J.E.(Ed.)
Limerick :
University of Limerick
The Vital Link: Modern Languages in Science and Technology Degrees
(1991)
The Vital Link: Modern Languages in Science and Technology Degrees
Chambers, A; Conacher, JE(Ed.)
Limerick, Ireland :
University of Limerick
Peer Reviewed Journals
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)
In Transit;
The Study Abroad Experience: Plurilingualism in Blended Spaces?
Conacher, JE
(2021)
The Study Abroad Experience: Plurilingualism in Blended Spaces?
In Germanistik in Ireland:Yearbook of the German Studies Association of Ireland;
Konstanz/Constance :
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
In International Research in Children's Literature;
Edinburgh :
DOI: 10.3366/ircl.2016.0183
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
In German As A Foreign Language;
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
In Language Learning Journal;
Other Journals
Zur Optimierung des ERASMUS-Studienaufenthalts im englischsprachigen Raum
Conacher,JE
(2011)
Zur Optimierung des ERASMUS-Studienaufenthalts im englischsprachigen Raum
In Zeitschrift für Beratung und Studium;
Kaluza, M;Knigge-Illner, H.(Ed.)
Bielefeld :
Universitätsverlag Webler
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
In Translation Ireland;
Conference Publications
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)
Aligning Language Assessment in Higher Education with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A Quality Assurance Approach
Maynooth University
Conference Contributions
Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day 2021
Conacher, JE
(2021)
Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day 2021
University of Limerick
Women in German Studies 31st Annual Conference
Conacher, JE
(2019)
Women in German Studies 31st Annual Conference
University College Dublin, Dublin
German Studies Association 2019
Conacher, JE
(2019)
German Studies Association 2019
Portland, Oregon
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)
Aligning Language Assessments in Higher Education with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): a Quality Assurance Approach
NUI Maynooth
Women's Writing and Science
Conacher, JE
(2018)
Women's Writing and Science
Institute of Modern Language Research, University of London
New Perspectives on Language and Teaching Cross-Sector Annual Conference
Conacher, JE
(2018)
New Perspectives on Language and Teaching Cross-Sector Annual Conference
St Andrews
Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day
Conacher, JE
(2016)
Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual Research Day
University of Limerick
Annual Conference of the German Studies Association of Ireland (GSAI)
Conacher, JE
(2015)
Annual Conference of the German Studies Association of Ireland (GSAI)
National University of Ireland Galway
Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics Research Seminar Series
Conacher, JE
(2015)
Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics Research Seminar Series
University of Limerick
Process and Practice: Adaptation Considered as a Collaborative Art (UCC)
Conacher, J.E.
(2014)
Process and Practice: Adaptation Considered as a Collaborative Art (UCC)
University College Cork
25 Jahre Mauerfall Reflections on GDR literature, its legacy and connections between the GDR and Ireland (UL)
Conacher, J.E.
(2014)
25 Jahre Mauerfall Reflections on GDR literature, its legacy and connections between the GDR and Ireland (UL)
University of Limerick
University College Lecture Series (University of Melbourne)
Conacher, J.E.
(2011)
University College Lecture Series (University of Melbourne)
University of Melbourne
Technology Enhanced Language Teaching and Learning (SOAS, Univ. of London)
Conacher, J.E.
(2009)
Technology Enhanced Language Teaching and Learning (SOAS, Univ. of London)
School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
Autonomy and Language Learning: Maintaining Control (HKUST)
Conacher, J.E
(2004)
Autonomy and Language Learning: Maintaining Control (HKUST)
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Literature to Film Film to Literature (NUIG)
Conacher, J.E.,
(2004)
Literature to Film Film to Literature (NUIG)
NUI Galway
Published Reports
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
Edinburgh :
Scottish Executive Education Department
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.
Stirling :
Scottish CILT
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
Stirling :
Scottish CILT
