Welcome to PopCultEdLab, a space where we explore the intersections of popular culture, education, and applied linguistics. As part of the English Applied Linguistics program within the Department of English at The University of Arizona, I'm dedicated to investigating how everyday cultural phenomena – from social media trends and popular conventions to well-loved books and films – can inform and enrich our understanding of teaching, learning, and communication. My research seeks to uncover the hidden pedagogical potential within these spaces, challenging conventional wisdom and fostering more creative and inclusive educational practices.

An underlying theme of this research is trauma. Trauma is the thin read line that seems to permeate and tie together much of the research topics and protagonists I am drawn to. I seem to be drawn to the way trauma shows up in language, through literature and within professional / academic spaces. My interest in trauma as an academic concept was first expressed through my 2015 book review of The Unspeakable: Narratives of Trauma (Stroinska, Cecchetto, & Szymanski, 2015). My personal experience with professional trauma is reflected in my writing. My academic pursuit of interrogating trauma is reflected in my research projects.

My work spans a variety of topics, reflecting my commitment to interdisciplinary approaches and critical inquiry. I'm particularly interested in issues of social and emotional learning, creativity in assessment, and the impact of trauma on students and educators. You can explore some of my published research, including articles in TESOL Journal, Qualitative Inquiry, and Frontiers in Education, to gain a deeper understanding of the frameworks and methodologies I employ. I hope this website serves as a hub for collaboration, discussion, and the continued exploration of the exciting possibilities that arise when we bridge the gap between popular culture and education.