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Dr Lada Smirnova

Dr Lada Smirnova

  • Position: Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes
  • Areas of expertise: Activity Theory; Sociocultural research; Narrative Methodology; Artificial Intelligence; the impact of Generative AI on EAP teaching and learning; Language Teacher Education, Training and Development.
  • Email: L.Smirnova@leeds.ac.uk
  • Website: Googlescholar | Researchgate | ORCID

Profile

I joined the university in 2021. Before working at Leeds, I worked as a Director of Studies in a private language centre in Moscow, a Senior Lecturer in EAP in two Moscow universities, and a Deputy Director of MA in Digital Transformation in Education at HSE University. I have also taught EAP in several universities in China and the UK, and designed modules for a range of BA and MA programmes. I have recently published several articles in the area of language teacher education and development, and a book in collaboration with Peter Lang – an outcome of a 4 year study I conducted with experienced language teachers from two EdTech leading Moscow universities.

Research interests

My current research interests are sustainable teacher development in a transnational context and the impact of AI-powered chatbots on EAP teaching and learning. My recent and ongoing projects are:

  1. A book project "Teaching and Learning with AI: A Sociocultural Perspective" (first editor).

  2. A Special Issue of The European Journal of Applied Linguistics and TEFL (EJALTEFL) “AI in Language Classrooms” (guest editor).

  3. Using narrative methodology to explore teacher experience in using technology for EAP.

  4. Using a multilingual approach in qualitative research.

I supervise postgraduate work, and if you are interested in conducting PhD research in language teacher education, training, and development, I would be happy to hear from you. To help me better understand your strengths and interests, please attach a 600–800-word proposal and a CV.

Recent Publications

Books

Smirnova, L. (2021). Exploring perezhivanie: a new tool for teacher development in the digital transformation in education. Peter Lang: Оxford.

Smirnova, L. (2019). Integrating technology 
into the university language classroom: a study of complexities and perezhivanie in teachers’ experience. (Unpublished PhD thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education). The University of Manchester.

Edited book

Smirnova, L. (2022). (Ed.). Using Activity Theory in the Digital Transformation in Education. Uright: Moscow. In Russian.

Book Chapters

Smirnova, L., Sheard, W. & Smith, E. (2025). Using Galperin’s Framework to Develop Students’ Academic Communication Skills in English: A Case of an Online Pre-Sessional Course. In Rosmawati & Verspoor, M., (Eds.), English for Academic and Specific Purposes in the Classroom: From Theory to Practice, Routledge: UK, pp. 191–207.

Smirnova, L., Rasskazova, T. (2024). The development of a reflective language teacher in Russia: from an apprenticeship to a dialogical partnership. In Cirocki A., Gao A., Wyatt M. (Eds), Developing Reflective ELT Practitioners through Teacher Education: Insights from Asian Contexts. Springer Nature Singapore. pp. 303–323.

Smirnova, L. (2022). Theorizing the digital change in education. In Smirnova L. (Ed.). Using Activity Theory in the Digital Transformation in Education. Uright: Moscow, pp. 12–32. In Russian.

Smirnova, L. (2021). Designing individual learning paths in Moodle. In Saphonov A.A., Chastova P.A., Kokaya E.T., Matys O.I. (Eds). Digital education: Methods, Practices, and Tools. A collection of webinars, talks, and research. Uright, Moscow, issue 4, pp. 24–25. In Russian.

Smirnova, L. (2020). Davydov’s Activity Approach for developing a MA in Digital Transformation in Education. In The School of Davydov: traditions and Innovations. FGBOY VOMGPPU: Moscow. pp. 250–252. In Russian.
Smirnova, L. (2016). Language teacher development in integrating technology: mind the gap. 3rd international Conference on ESP/EAP/EMI in the context of Higher Education Internationalization. National University of Science and Technology ‘MISIS’, Russia, November 25, 2016, Proceedings. In Conference proceedings, MISIS. p. 70.

Journal Articles

Smirnova, L. (2024). Teaching with technology: new roles and opportunities or just a new chore? The European Journal of Applied Linguistics and TEFL, 13 (2), 133–150.

Smirnova, L. (2024). A deeper form of reflection: perezhivanie as a tool for teacher development. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 32 (5), 489–500. https://doi.org/10.1080/13611267.2024.2366268

Smirnova, L. (2023). Teachers’ motives, agency and Vygotsky’s notion of perezhivanie. The European Journal of Applied Linguistics and TEFL, 12 (1), 173–189.

Smirnova, L. (2020). Two forms of perezhivanie that work: integrating technology into a Russian university language classroom. The European Journal of Applied Linguistics and TEFL, 9 (2), 65–82.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Education, University of Manchester
  • MA in Educational Technology and TESOL, University of Manchester
  • DELTA, University of Cambridge
  • CELTA, University of Cambridge
  • Specialist Diploma in Programming, National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI)

Professional memberships

  • ISCAR
  • BALEAP
  • Mind, Culture and Activity (xMCA) group
  • BAAL

Research groups and institutes

  • Language Centre
<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>