Personal profile
Biography
I am Director of Institute of Humanities, Education and Arts Research (IHEAR) and Associate Professor at CRELLA at University of Bedfordshire (UK)
With a background in Applied Linguistics and Language Education, I specialise in language assessment. I have led over 30 externally funded research projects as PI. My research looks at the design and validation of high-stakes language assessment, L2 language processing and integrated/multimodal skills.
The outcomes of my research provide practical solutions for better fit-for-purpose assessment methods to diagnose learners' profile and more effective L2/EFL teaching and learning pedagogy. I also research the nature of language use in the digital age and use of technology in language testing, informing innovation in the design of assessments that help people learn English more effectively.
In addition, I have conducted research for the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Midwifery and Nursing Council (MNC) regarding practice and policy on language testing requirements.
I provide consultancies and conduct professional training workshops on language assessment literacy, various aspects of language test development, and mixed-methods research.
I have published widely in the areas of language testing, academic reading/writing, and second language learning with over 30 publications. In the REF 2021, five of my publications was part of a submission of which 72% is classed as world leading (the highest possible rating). I am the author of 'Defining Integrated Reading-into-Writing Constructs: Evidence at the B2-C1 Interface' (Cambridge University Press, the English Profile series 08, 2018) and 'Research and practice in assessing academic English: the case of IELTS. Studies in Language Testing' (Cambridge University Press, Studies in Language Testing 51, 2019).
External positions
Editor-in-Chief , Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics (Taylor & Francis)
1 Jan 2025 → 15 Dec 2030
Chair of Membership and Nominations Committee, UK Association of Language Testing and Assessment
1 Jun 2024 → 31 Dec 2025
Member, Committee for Linguistics in Education (CLiE) GCSE English Reform Working Group
11 Jan 2024 → 31 Dec 2024
Editorial Board Member, Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching (Taylor & Francis)
1 Jun 2023 → …
Member of Membership and Nominations Committee, UK Association of Language Testing and Assessment
1 Jan 2022 → 1 Jul 2024
SIG co-ordinator, British Association of Applied Linguistics
1 Sept 2021 → 1 Oct 2025
Convenor, British Association of Applied Linguistics Testing Evaluation Assessment SIG
1 Jan 2018 → 31 Dec 2021
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Assessing English in the U.K.
Latimer, N. & Chan, S., 12 Feb 2026, (Accepted/In press) Assessing Language Proficiency Around the World.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Assessment of writing
Chan, S., 8 Jan 2026, (Accepted/In press) Encyclopaedia of applied linguistics. Chapelle , C. A. (ed.). 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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The road to understanding in lecture listening: cognitive processes engaged in the integration of auditory and textual information
Latimer, N., Inoue, C., Chan, S. & Lam, D. M. K., 26 Mar 2026, IELTS Partners. (IELTS Research Reports Online Series ; no. 2025/1 )Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
Open Access -
Embracing multimodality to overhaul assessment of English for Academic Purposes: task design and validation
Chan, S., Khabbazbashi, N. & Clark, T., 29 Dec 2025, In: Language Assessment Quarterly. 22, 4-5, p. 460-483 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Research synthesis in applied linguistics: more than methodologies
Chan, S. & Chong, S. W., 1 Aug 2025, In: Research Synthesis in Applied Linguistics. 1, 1, p. 1-4Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial
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Applying the lessons from second language test validity frameworks to tests of English as a first language
Latimer, N. (Speaker), Chan, S. (Speaker), Nakatsuhara, F. (Speaker) & Madella, P. (Speaker)
23 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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The interaction of integrated speaking task modality and second language learner proficiency in text integration
Chan, S. (Speaker)
24 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Bridging Methods in Integrated Assessment Research: Reflecting on Designing and Conducting Mixed-Methods Studies
Chan, S. (Speaker)
27 Jun 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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A mixed-methods investigation of test-takers’ performances on integrated speaking tasks: considering task design, modality of input and proficiency levels
Chan, S. (Speaker) & May, L. (Speaker)
6 Jun 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Advancing Language Testing Research Through Research Synthesis’
Chan, S. (Speaker)
9 May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
Thesis
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Establishing the validity of reading-into-writing test tasks for the UK academic context
Chan, H. C. (Author), Weir, C. (Supervisor) & Nakatsuhara, F. (Second supervisor), Nov 2013Student thesis: Doctoral thesis
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