Dr Emma Bruce, Researcher, Research and Validation of IELTS

Emma's specific focus within English Language Research is on research and validation of IELTS, including test centre and online modes of delivery. Emma is part of the cross-partner IELTS Research Group leading short- and long-term research, development and validation projects with colleagues from Cambridge University Press and Assessment and IDP. In addition to this, Emma works on a range of international language test development and validation projects for British Council assessment systems.  Emma joined the British Council in 2021 having previously worked in higher education in the UK and Hong Kong, initially as a lecturer, and later as Head of EAP Testing and Assessment. 

Areas of expertise

  • Test development and validation
  • Academic Writing Assessment; Assessment of Integrated Skills
  • English for Academic Purposes
  • Online Language Testing

Publications

Bruce, E. (in progress). Time allowances in source-based writing: implications for EAP pedagogy and assessment design. In C. McDiarmid (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2021 BALEAP conference: Exploring pedagogical approaches in English for academic purposes.    

Bruce, E., & Stakounis, H. (in progress). The impact of Covid-19 on the UK EAP sector during the initial six months of the pandemic. In C. McDiarmid (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2021 BALEAP conference: Exploring pedagogical approaches in English for academic purposes.

Bruce, E., & Stakounis, H. (2023).  Narratives from the frontline: Evaluating the validity and longevity of technology-driven solutions to EAP assessment in the time of Covid-19. In K. Sadeghi (Ed.), Technology-assisted language assessment in diverse contexts: Lessons from the transition to online testing during Covid-19 (pp. 34-53). Routledge.                                                 

Clark, T., Bruce, E., & Dunlea J. (2022). IELTS One Skill Retake: A bias for best model. IELTS Research Group. https://www.ielts.org/-/media/research-reports/ielts-one-skill-retake---...

Bruce, E. & Hamp-Lyons, L. (2015). Opposing tensions of local and international standards for EAP writing programmes: Who are we assessing for? Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 18, 64-77.                               

Bruce, E. & Hamp-Lyons, L. (2015).  Looking for the academic voice: Assessing undergraduate writing. In. M. Kavanagh. & L. Robinson (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2013 BALEAP Conference: The Janus moment in EAP: Revisiting the past and building the future (pp. 63-76). Garnet.

Education

  • PhD, University of Bedfordshire, 2020
  • MA Applied Linguistics & TESOL, University of Leicester, 1995
  • RSA Diploma, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, GLOSCAT, U.K., 1997