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Dr Ernesto Vargas Gil, PhD (Warwick)

Ernesto

Lecturer in Academic and Professional Communication

Email: e.vargasgil@qmul.ac.uk
Room Number: Bancroft Building 1.29

Profile

Ernesto is a Lecturer in Academic and Professional Communication in the School of the Arts at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). His work focuses on academic literacies, the development of student academic and professional communication competences, and language teacher education. He holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Warwick, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and also a Cambridge Delta-qualified teacher.

Ernesto has taught across a wide range of EFL, ESP, EAP, and SLTE contexts, and has worked at several universities in the Higher Education UK sector, including the University of Birmingham, the University of Bristol, Aston University, and Imperial College London, where he continues to contribute as an Academic Visiting Teaching Lecturer. He also serves as the current Coordinator of IATEFL’s Research Special Interest Group (ReSIG), leading a portfolio of international teacher-research initiatives and events.

At QMUL, Ernesto is Director of the Pre-sessional Programmes and Director of Scholarship for the School of the Arts. In 2025, he received the Queen Mary University of London Education Excellence Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences category.

Qualifications

  • PhD
  • MA
  • PGCAP
  • PGCert
  • BA

Cambridge Teaching Qualifications

  • DELTA
  • ICELT
  • CELTA 

Teaching

At Queen Mary University of London, Dr Ernesto Vargas supervises PhD and MA students and teaches undergraduate (BA), Master’s, and In-sessional courses:

Postgraduate courses

  • Applied Linguistics: Critical Reflection (Convener)
  • Dissertation in English Language Teaching (Convener)
  • Approaches and Methods in English Language Teaching

Undergraduate and In-sessional courses 

  • Research Writing Workshop (Lead)
  • Creative Mind: Unpacking Learning for Academic Study and Beyond (Lead)
  • Principles of Academic Writing
  • Economics and Finance in Action

Research

Research Interests:

His main areas of research interest are Language Teacher Education, with a focus on Continuing Professional Development practices in the Global South, particularly from an epistemological decolonisation perspective; Language Teacher Research, and Research Methodology, particularly concerning in-depth qualitative inquiry approaches in educational settings.

Current research & scholarship projects

Research Project: ‘Education Research in Conflict and Protracted Crisis (ERICC)’ – An Education in Emergencies (EiE) research programme funded by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) (2023-2024) - As GEI Fellow – Education Researcher.

Research Project: ‘Teacher-Research Postdoctoral Auto-Ethnography (Academics from 10 universities in Mexico)’ – Research project supported by IATEFL Research Special Interest Group, UK. (2023-2024) – As Co-Lead.

Scholarship Project: ‘Get Spotted! A podcast series and a masterclass on communicative practices’ – A scholarship project funded by President and Principal’s Fund for Educational Excellence Queen Mary University of London (2023-2024) – As Collaborator (2023-2024).

IATEFL ReSIG

In my role as the Coordinator of the IATEFL Research Special Group (ReSIG), I chair or co-chair the following annual events:

In addition to other initiatives organised by the Research SIG. See here

Publications

Articles

  • Focus on the SIGs: Research SIG. IATEFL Voices, Issue 285 March/April 2022. Faversham: IATEFL.
  • Presentation of the new issue of IATEFL ELT Research: ‘From the Coordinator’. IATEFL ELT Research, Issue 36 (February 2022), vi-x.
  • A report on the IATEFL joint ReSIG LASIG pre-conference event, Brighton 2018: ‘Learner autonomy and practitioner research’. IATEFL ELT Research, Issue 34 (February 2019), 39-41.

Book Chapters

  • With Ramírez-Romero J.L. (2019) Mexico’s Politics, Policies and Practices for Bilingual Education and English as a Foreign Language in Primary Public Schools. In: Johannessen B. (eds) Bilingualism and Bilingual Education: Politics, Policies and Practices in a Globalized Society. Cham, Switzerland: Springer 

Translations

Books

  • Musto, M. (2012) Tras los Pasos de un Fantasma. Mexico: Siglo XXI Editores
  • Anton, A. & Schmitt, R. (2011). Hacia un Nuevo Socialismo. Madrid: Montesinos Editor

Articles

  • Kramer K. R. (2013). ‘Jeans’: Karen Ruoff Kramer. Historich-Kritisches wörterbuch des marxismus. Berlin: INKRIT
  • Petras, J. (1999) ‘Capitalism and Democracy’. Dialéctica N. 32. Mexico: Universidad Autónoma de Puebla.
  • Haug, F. W. (1998). ‘After the Fall of Fordist Marxism’. Dialéctica N. 31 (Mexico: Universidad Autónoma de Puebla.
  • Haug, F. (1997). ‘Marxism and Feminism’. Dialéctica N. 30. Mexico: Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
  • Singer, D. (1996). ‘Beyond Capital’. Memoria N.88. Mexico: CEMOS. 

Editorial Work

Reviewer for international journals

  • Language and Education (Q1 Education)
  • Education Policy Analysis Archives (Q2 Education) 

Public Engagement

Invited Talks, Colloquia, Workshops and Conference Papers

2026

ACADEMIC TALKS

  • ‘Designing a teacher research project to make one-to-one tutorials visible and consistent: a relational literacy lens’ at QMUL Academic and Professional Communication Conference 2026: Academic Literacies in Changing Contexts: Assessment, Equity and Communicative Futures - Queen Mary University of London 9 March 2026.

 

OPENING, WELCOME AND CLOSING REMARKS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

  • Opening remarks at the Teachers Research! 2026 - Online event organised by IATEFL ReSIG and MenTRnet - 14 & 15 March 2026.
  • Opening remarks at the 3rd National Conference on English Language Educational Research – Mexico 2025 organised by IATEFL ReSIG and ReSIG Mexico - Online event - 23 January 2026.

 

CONFERENCE CHAIR/CO-CHAIR

  • Conference Co-Chair: Teachers Research! 2026 - Online event organised by IATEFL ReSIG and MenTRnet – 14 & 15 March 2026.
  • Organising Committee Member: QMUL Academic and Professional Communication Conference 2026 - Academic Literacies in Changing Contexts: Assessment, Equity and Communicative Futures - Queen Mary University of London 9 March 2026.

 

2025

ACADEMIC TALKS

  • Invited talk: 'Autonomy, evaluation, and the necessary philosophical shift of Artificial Intelligence in language teaching'. Permanent Seminar on Teacher Education, Metropolitan Autonomous University – Iztapalapa (UAM-I) (Mexico). Hybrid event, 5 December 2025.
  • Invited talk: 'AI in ELT Classrooms: Threat, tool, or turning point?' Post-Convention session at Echoes from the 52nd International MEXTESOL Convention (Veracruz, Mexico). Online participation,15 November 2025.
  • (With Debbie Darling) Classroom Research. STA Scholarship Talks Series, Queen Mary University of London. Online event, 30 April 2025.
  • Invited talk: 'Reflection and Reflexivity for Exploratory Action Research', Mentoring Teacher Researchers Network (MenTRnet) Meeting Series. Online event, 1 March 2025.
  • Enhancing Critical Thinking in Academic Writing: A Teacher Research Project on AI Integration in the QM Pre-Sessional Programme, presented at the Language Centre Education Forum, Queen Mary University of London. Hybrid event, 3 March 2025.

 

OPENING, WELCOME AND CLOSING REMARKS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

  • Opening remarks at the conference Mind the Research Gap: Teacher-Led Inquiry into Inclusive Practices organised by the IATEFL Inclusive Practices and Research SIGs. Online event,15 November 2025.
  • Opening remarks at the MA in ELT Quick Fire Presentation Event 2025, organised by IATEFL ReSIG and the University of Warwick. Hybrid event, 14 August 2025.
  • Welcome and closing remarks at the online conference Stories of Mentoring Teacher-Research, organised by IATEFL ReSIG. Online event, 12 July 2025.
  • Opening remarks at the IATEFL Global Issues, Young Learners and Research SIGs Pre-Conference Event, Researching Social Justice in Young Learner Classrooms, at the 58th IATEFL International Conference & Exhibition (Edinburgh 2025). Edinburgh, UK, 7 April 2025.
  • Opening and closing remarks at Teachers Research! 2025, organised by IATEFL ReSIG and MenTRnet. Online event, 29 & 30 March 2025.
  • Welcome message at the Language Centre Education Forum, Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Practice: A Snapshot of Diversity and Innovation at the STA. Queen Mary University of London. Hybrid event, 3 March 2025.
  • Opening and closing remarks at the ReSIG Forum Supervision and Mentoring Practices for TEFL Teacher Educators: An Inclusive and Transformative Approach, organised by IATEFL ReSIG and ReSIG Mexico. Online event, 28 February 2025.
  • Invited speaker at the book launch of Teachers Research! 2024, organised by the Mentoring Teacher Researchers Network (MenTRnet). Online event, 18 January 2025. 
  • Opening remarks at the 4th Sub-Saharan Africa Teacher Research Online Conference, Teacher Research in Teacher Language Education: What options? Online event, 11 January 2025.

 

CONFERENCE CHAIR/CO-CHAIR

  • Conference Co-Chair: Stories of Mentoring Teacher-Research Conference, organised by IATEFL ReSIG. Online event, 12 July 2025.
  • Organising Committee Member: BALEAP Professional Issues Meeting (PIM), Professional Growth and Development in EAP: Exploring Current Practices and Imagining Future Possibilities. Queen Mary University of London. Online event, 20 June 2025.
  • Conference Co-Chair: IATEFL Global Issues, Young Learners and Research SIGs Pre-Conference Event Day, Researching Social Justice in Young Learner Classrooms, at the 58th IATEFL International Conference & Exhibition (Edinburgh 2025). Edinburgh, UK, 7 April 2025.
  • Conference Chair: IATEFL Research SIG Showcase Day at the 58th IATEFL International Conference & Exhibition (Edinburgh 2025). Edinburgh, UK, 9 April 2025.
  • Conference Co-Chair: Teachers Research! 2025, organised by IATEFL ReSIG and MenTRnet. Online event, 29 & 30 March 2025.
  •  Conference Co-Chair: Language Centre Education Forum, Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Practice: A Snapshot of Diversity and Innovation at the STA. Queen Mary University of London.  Hybrid event, 3 March 2025.
  • Conference Chair: 4th Sub-Saharan Africa Teacher Research Online Conference: Teacher Research in Teacher Language Education: What options?, organised with the Cameroon English Language Teachers’ Association (CAMELTA). Online event, 11 January 2025.

 

2024

  • Conference Chair: IATEFL ReSIG Showcase Day at the 57th International Conference & Exhibition for English language teaching professional – IATEFL Brighton 2024.Brighton, U.K. – Tuesday 16 April 2024.
  • Conference Co-Chair: Learning Technologies Special Interest Group (LTSIG) and Research Special Interest Group (ReSIG) Joint Pre-Conference Event Day at the 57th International Conference & Exhibition for English Language Teaching Professionals – IATEFL Brighton 2024. Brighton, U.K. – Monday 15 April 2024.
  • Conference Co-Chair: ‘Teachers Research! Online Conference 2024’ organised by IATEFL ReSIG (Online) 9-10 March 2024.
  • Conference Co-Chair: XI Language Centre Learning & Teaching Conference 2024 – Queen Mary University of London, UK (Hybrid event) – Friday 8 March 2024.

 

2023

FEATURED TALKS

  • Panel Discussant: ‘Decolonising English Language Education Conference: Exploring bidirectional opportunities’ – organised by the University of Yaoundé (Cameroon), the University of Education Karlsruhe (Germany) and the Cameroon English Language and Literature Teachers Association (CAMELTA) (Hybrid event) – Wednesday 22nd November 2023.
  • ‘Welcome’ and ‘Closing Remarks’ of the Online Conference: ‘Stories of Mentoring Teacher- Research Conference organised by IATEFL ReSIG (Online) 17 Jun 2023.
  • ‘Welcome’ and ‘Final reflections and round- up’ (with Richard Smith and Asli Saglam) at the Online Conference: ‘Teachers Research! Online 2023’ organised by IATEFL ReSIG (Online) 17- 18 March 2023.
  • Guest Speaker Talk: 'Teacher Research Webinars Series 1' organised by the Cameroon Teacher Research Group – Online - 12 February 2023.

 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

  • ‘Contextualising the Marketisation of English Language Teacher Training in the Global South: An Ethnographic Study on Epistemological and Methodological Appropriacy’ at the Georg Arnhold International Summer Conference on “Educational Justice and Sustainable Peace: Access, Participation and Technology” - Leibniz Institute for Educational Media | Georg Eckert Institute, Braunschweig, Germany – 29 Jun 2023.
  • ‘How To…’ session: How to reflect on research talks at the conference at the 56th International Conference & Exhibition for English language teaching professionals – IATEFL Harrogate 2023. Harrogate, U.K. - 19 April 2023.
  • ‘Exploring the Cambridge Ethos: a glace into the complexities of professional development for language teachers in the Global South’ at the Language Centre Learning & Teaching Conference 2023 – Queen Mary University of London – 10 March 2023.

 

CONFERENCE CHAIR/CO-CHAIR

  • W/ ReSIG MEXICO: ‘1st National Conference on English Language Educational Research Mexico 2023’ (Online event) - Friday 1st December 2023.
  • W/IATEFL GISIG/HANDS UP: ‘Researching the impact of weekly intercultural Zoom link-ups on children's enjoyment of studying English in large classes in Governmental schools in Gaza’ (Online) Monday 20th November 2023).
  • W/CAMELTA: ‘3rd Sub-Saharan Africa Teacher Research Online Conference: Exploring the value of teacher research in learning and professional development in ELT (Online) Saturday 16th September 2023.
  • W/WARWICK UNIVERSITY: Conference Co-Chair: ‘MA in ELT Quick Fire Presentation Event 2023’ (Hybrid Event) - 7 August 2023.
  • ‘IATEFL ReSIG Showcase Day’ - the 56th International Conference & Exhibition for English language teaching professionals – IATEFL Harrogate 2023. Harrogate, U.K. - 20 April 2023.
  • ‘IATEFL ReSIG Pre-Conference Event’ - the 56th International Conference & Exhibition for English language teaching professional – IATEFL Harrogate 2023. Harrogate, U.K. - 17 April 2023.
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