Dr Vicky Macleroy
Staff details
I am a Reader in Education, Head of the MA Children’s Literature programme, and Head of the Centre for Language, Culture and Learning at Goldsmiths, University of London. I teach at postgraduate level on the MA Children’s Literature, MA Creative Writing and Education, and MPhil/PhD programmes.
My research focuses on: multiliteracies and digital storytelling; multimodal composition, adaptation and creativity; language development, poetry and multilingualism; transformative pedagogy and activist citizenship; children’s literature and Young Adult Fiction.
Underpinning my research is a commitment to research methodologies that embrace collaborative and creative ways of researching.
I am co-director of a global literacy project ‘Critical Connections Multilingual Digital Storytelling’ (2012-ongoing) that uses digital storytelling to support engagement with language learning and digital literacy and has been applied in over 50 schools in the UK and in 14 further countries.
Academic qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts in English (main) and Education (subsidiary) at York University 1982
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education in English with Drama at York University 1983
- Masters of Arts in Education in Language and Literacy; Child Development; Adult Learners, Education and Training at the Open University 1996
- Educational Research MA Module in Educational Research in Action at the Open University 1997
- Doctorate in Education in Language and Literacy at the Open University 2002
Teaching and Supervision
I am currently supervising 7 MPhil/PhD students in the areas of ecological identity and children’s poetry; children’s comic making and self-published comics; adaptation in YA historical fiction; language and gender in YA fantasy fiction; girlhood and female role models in the Carnegie Winners 1936-2020; Hip Hop and Spoken Word Education; textual transactions and Interactive Fiction.
Research interests
My research in the field of multiliteracies recognises the power of story to educate and foregrounds new possibilities that project-based language learning with digital technology can open for language and literacy education. At Goldsmiths, I have created and led successful new sessions on multiliteracies, multimodal composing, multimodal theory and analysis, multimodal approaches in children’s literature, linguistic diversity in children’s literature, multilingual poetry, and multilingual digital storytelling (BA, PGCE, MA, MPhil/PhD).
Building on my research in the field of multilingual learning and digital technology and my co-edited book, Multilingual Digital Storytelling (2016), I have published extensively on digital language pedagogies as well as developing and maintaining the Critical Connections website (https://goldsmithsmdst.com/). The Critical Connections research project (2012-ongoing) has been recognised by the university as ‘Research which changes the world: Critical Connections’ (2021): https://www.gold.ac.uk/research/case-studies/.
The Critical Connections model has opened up opportunities for learning outside as well as inside school and for active participation in local and global communities online and offline. The model has been applied in over 50 primary, secondary, and complementary schools in the UK and 20 partnership schools in 14 further countries (Algeria, Australia, Cyprus, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Palestine, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United States) around the globe. The Critical Connections model has engaged over 1,500 children in a digital storytelling community, including over 20 languages (with voice-over or subtitles in English), helping them to develop language skills and take pride in their intercultural understanding.
I am currently working with Professor Michael Rosen, Dr Julia Hope and postgraduate students (MA and MPhil/PhD) to publish a book, 'Children’s Literature in Action' (2022).
Publications and research outputs
Book
Macleroy, Vicky; Anderson, Jim and Chung, Yu-Chiao. 2014. Critical Connections: Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project. Goldsmiths, University of London.
Edited Book
Lytra, Vally; Ros i Sole, Cristina; Anderson, Jim and Macleroy, Vicky, eds. 2022. Liberating Language Education. Bristol: Multilingual Matters. ISBN 9781788927932
Anderson, Jim and Macleroy Obied, Vicky, eds. 2016. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge.
Edited Journal
Macleroy, Vicky, ed. 2017. Special Feature: Children's Literature, EAL Journal, (3). 2398-8533
Macleroy, Vicky, ed. 2015. Collaborative Community Approaches to Migrant Education, NALDIC Quarterly, 15(3). 1751-2182
Macleroy, Vicky, ed. 2014. Literature, Culture and EAL, NALDIC Quarterly, 14(3). 1751-2182
Macleroy, Vicky and Marshall, Bethan, eds. 2014. Special Issue of English in Education on ITE, English in Education: Special Issue, 48(1). 0425-0494
Macleroy Obied, Vicky, ed. 2013. Comenius Regio Project: Meeting the Challenge of the Multicultural Classroom, NALDIC Quarterly, 13(3). 1751-2182
Book Section
Macleroy, Vicky. 2022. Siblings’ Multilingual Discourse. In: Anat Stavans and Ulrike Jessner-Schmid, eds. The Cambridge Handbook of Childhood Multilingualism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108669771
Lytra, Vally; Ros i Sole, Cristina; Anderson, Jim and Macleroy, Vicky. 2022. Introduction: Why Liberating Language Education? In: Vally Lytra; Cristina Ros i Sole; Jim Anderson and Vicky Macleroy, eds. Liberating Language Education. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, pp. 1-20. ISBN 9781788927932
Lytra, Vally; Ros i Sole, Cristina; Anderson, Jim and Macleroy, Vicky. 2022. 'Conclusion: Language Education Collages'. In: Vally Lytra; Cristina Ros i Sole; Jim Anderson and Vicky Macleroy, eds. Liberating Language Education. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, pp. 321-330. ISBN 9781788927932
Chung, Yu-Chiao and Macleroy, Vicky. 2022. How Weird is Weird? Young people, activist citizenship and multivoiced digital stories. In: Vally Lytra; Cristina Ros i Sole; Jim Anderson and Vicky Macleroy, eds. Liberating Language Education. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, pp. 255-276. ISBN 9781788927932
Macleroy, Vicky and Gilbert, Francis. 2021. A Century of Teaching Creative Writing in Schools. In: Andrew Green, ed. The New Newbolt Report: One Hundred Years of Teaching English in England. Oxford: Routledge. ISBN 9781003141891
Macleroy, Vicky and Anderson, Jim. 2021. What is a multilingualism activist? Multilingual moves: Changing the mindset of teachers and policy makers. In: Ana de Medeiros and Debra Kelly, eds. Language Debates. (1) Boston & London: Hodder and Stoughton & John Murray Learning, pp. 173-184. ISBN 9781529372250
Macleroy, Vicky. 2021. Framing critical perspectives on migration, fairness and belonging through the lens of young people’s multilingual digital stories. In: Latisha Mary; Ann-Birte Krüger and Andrea S. Young, eds. Migration, Multilingualism and Education: Critical Perspectives on Inclusion. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, pp. 202-220. ISBN 9781800412934
Macleroy, Vicky and Anderson, Jim. 2021. Stories, Communities, Voices: Revitalising Language Learning Through Digital Media within a Project-based Pedagogical Framework. In: Michael Thomas and Kasumi Yamazaki, eds. Project-Based Language Learning and CALL From Virtual Exchange to Social Justice. Sheffield: Equinox Publishing Ltd, pp. 245-276. ISBN 9781800500242
Anderson, Jim and Macleroy, Vicky. 2019. Connecting worlds: interculturality, identity and multilingual digital stories in the making. In: Prue Holmes; Richard Fay and Jane Andrews, eds. Education and Migration: Languages Foregrounded. Abingdon: Routledge. ISBN 9780367178239
Macleroy, Vicky. 2016. From Literacy to Multiliteracies. In: Vicky Macleroy and Jim Anderson, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 68-86. ISBN 1138795801
Macleroy, Vicky. 2016. Learner autonomy, critical thinking and student voice. In: Vicky Macleroy and Jim Anderson, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 188-202. ISBN ISBN-10: 1138795801
Macleroy, Vicky. 2016. Curriculum Policy, Planning and Professional Development. In: Vicky Macleroy and Jim Anderson, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 248-260. ISBN 1138795801
Macleroy, Vicky and Anderson, Jim. 2016. Introduction. In: Vicky Macleroy and Jim Anderson, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 1-12. ISBN 1138795801
Macleroy, Vicky and Anderson, Jim. 2016. Critical Connections: Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project. Introduction and research methodology. In: Vicky Macleroy and Jim Anderson, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 131-145. ISBN 9781138795808
Macleroy, Vicky and Anderson, Jim. 2016. Reflections and implications for multilingual digital literacy. In: Vicky Macleroy and Jim Anderson, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 261-268. ISBN 1138795801
Jessel, John. 2016. Digital technology, culture and learning: dialogic and critical approaches. In: Jim Anderson and Vicky Macleroy, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 42-67. ISBN 9781138795808
Macleroy, Vicky. 2016. Multimodal Composition and Creativity. In: Vicky Macleroy and Jim Anderson, eds. Multilingual Digital Storytelling: Engaging creatively and critically with literacy. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 163-177. ISBN ISBN-10: 1138795801
Macleroy, Vicky. 2015. Effective Practices with English as an Additional Language (EAL) Learners. In: Sue Dymoke; Myra Barrs; Andrew Lambirth and Anthony Wilson, eds. Making Poetry Happen. London: Bloomsbury, pp. 181-190. ISBN 978-1-4725-1238-3
Anderson, Jim and Macleroy, Vicky. 2014. Rethinking Multilingualism: trajectories in policy, pedagogy and research in the UK. In: Andrioula Yiokoumetti, ed. Multilingualism and Language in Education: Sociolinguistic and Pedagogical Perspectives from Commonwealth Countries. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 243-266. ISBN 9781107574311
Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2013. Developing poetry pedagogy for EAL learners within inclusive intercultural practices. In: Sue Dymoke; Andrew Lambirth and Anthony Wilson, eds. Making Poetry Matter. London: Bloomsbury, pp. 143-153. ISBN 978-1-4725-1505-6
Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2011. Knowledge about language and multiliteracies. In: Andrew Green, ed. Becoming a Reflective English Teacher. Berkshire: Open University Press, pp. 156-170. ISBN 978-0335242894
Article
Macleroy, Vicky; Sahmland, Susi and Hackney, Claire. 2021. An exploration of how children’s language learning can be transformed when teachers place creativity and stories at the centre of the curriculum and experiment with digital storytelling in the classroom. Modern Languages Open, 1(1), 18. ISSN 2052-5397
Stavrou, Sotiroula; Charalambous, Chryso and Macleroy, Vicky. 2021. Translanguaging through the lens of drama and digital storytelling: shaping new language pedagogies in the classroom. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 29(1), pp. 99-118. ISSN 1468-1366
Gilbert, Francis and Macleroy, Vicky. 2021. Different ways of descending into the crypt: methodologies and methods for researching creative writing. New Writing: The International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing, 18(3), pp. 253-271. ISSN 1479-0726
Macleroy, Vicky. 2020. Research in depth - Multilingual Digital Storytelling. EAL Journal, Autumn, pp. 58-62. ISSN 2398-8533
Hirsch, Sara and Macleroy, Vicky. 2020. The art of belonging: exploring the effects on the English classroom when poetry meets multilingual digital storytelling. English in Education, 54(1), pp. 41-57. ISSN 0425-0494
Macleroy, Vicky and Shamsad, Shabita. 2020. A moving story from Dhaka to London: revealing vibrant identities in young people’s intercultural encounters with mobile art, embroidery and artefacts. Language and Intercultural Communication, 20(5), pp. 482-496. ISSN 1470-8477
Macleroy, Vicky; Anderson, Jim and Chung, Yu-Chiao. 2018. Creative and critical approaches to language learning and digital technology: findings from a multilingual digital storytelling project. Language and Education, 32(3), pp. 195-211. ISSN 0950-0782
Anderson, Jim and Macleroy, Vicky. 2017. Connecting worlds: interculturality, identity and multilingual digital stories in the making. Language and Intercultural Communication, 17(4), pp. 494-517. ISSN 1470-8477
Macleroy, Vicky. 2017. Multilingual representation in children's literature. EAL Journal(3), pp. 17-29. ISSN 2398-8533
Macleroy, Vicky; Budach, Gabriele; Chapman, Bo; Flynn, Zoe; Charalambous, Chryso; Dumic, Mirela and Smith, Marc. 2017. Exploring Digital Creation. EAL Journal(2), pp. 14-15. ISSN 2398-8533
Macleroy, Vicky. 2017. Books: Our pick of this term's reading matter. EAL Journal(4), pp. 52-53. ISSN 2398-8533
Macleroy, Vicky. 2015. Making Space for Learners' Languages. NALDIC Quarterly, 15(3), pp. 18-20. ISSN 1751-2182
Macleroy, Vicky. 2013. Cultural, linguistic and cognitive issues in teaching the language of literature for emergent bilingual pupils. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 26(3), pp. 300-316. ISSN 0790-8318
Macleroy Obied, Vicky and Grammatikopoulou, Vicky. 2013. Meeting the Challenge of the Multicultural Classroom through Continuing Professional Development. NALDIC Quarterly, 13(3), pp. 7-9. ISSN 1751-2182
Macleroy, Vicky. 2013. Innovative practice in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to enhance new teachers’ ability to effectively teach learners of English as an additional language (EAL). NALDIC Quarterly, 13(4), pp. 19-20. ISSN 1751-2182
Anderson, Jim and Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2011. Languages, literacies and learning: from monocultural to intercultural perspectives. NALDIC Quarterly, 8(3), pp. 16-26. ISSN 1751-2182
Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2010. Professional development for staff working in multilingual schools. Council of Europe, 1(5), pp. 1-64.
Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2010. Can one‐parent families or divorced families produce two‐language children? An investigation into how Portuguese–English bilingual children acquire biliteracy within diverse family structures. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 18(2), pp. 211-227. ISSN 1468-1366
Pitfield, Maggie and Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2010. How Student-teachers Approach the Teaching of Reading: At the Interface Between Personal History, Theory and Practice. Changing English, 17(1), pp. 35-44. ISSN 1358-684X
Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2009. How do siblings shape the language environment in bilingual families? International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 12(6), pp. 705-720. ISSN 1367-0050
Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2007. 'Why did I do nothing?' Poetry and the experiences of bilingual pupils in a mainstream inner-city secondary school. English in Education: Poetry Matters, 41(3),
Macleroy Obied, Vicky. 2004. Siblings: help or hindrance? The Linguist, 43(2),
Conference or Workshop Item
Macleroy, Vicky. 2019. 'Object narratives, imaginings and multilingual communities: young people’s digital stories in the making'. In: International Digital Storytelling Conference. Zakynthos Island, Greece 21-23 September 2018.
Digital
Macleroy, Vicky; Young, Andrea; Tsokalidou, Roula; Garcia Carrasco, Ruth and Kostiuk, Melody. 2015. Collaborative Community Approach to Migrant Education.
Macleroy, Vicky and Anderson, Jim. 2012. Critical Connections II: Moving Forward with Multilingual Digital Storytelling.
Report
Macleroy, Vicky. 2020. Deptford Storytelling Project 2020. Project Report. Language Acts and Worldmaking, King's Digital Lab.
Macleroy, Vicky. 2019. Multilingual digital storytelling, museum artefacts and the arts: Creative pathways to language-and-culture learning. Project Report. Language Acts and Worldmaking, King's Digital Lab.
Macleroy, Vicky; Anderson, Jim and Chung, Yu-Chiao. 2014. Critical Connections: Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project [Research Flyer]. Project Report. Goldsmiths, University of London.
Further profile content
Featured publications
2016:
Multilingual Digital Storytelling: engaging creatively and critically with literacy
Edited Book
2022:
Liberating Language Education
Edited Book
2021:
Framing critical perspectives on migration, fairness and belonging through the lens of young people’s multilingual digital stories
Book Chapter
2021:
Stories, Communities, Voices: revitalising language learning through digital media within a project-based framework
Book Chapter
Professional projects
Regional Lead Provider for the BBC School News Report (2011)
Goldsmiths Research Centres/Groups
Research projects
2012-2022:
Critical Connections Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project
Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation (2012-14; 2015-17); Language Acts and Worldmaking (2018-20); Goldsmiths, University of London (2020-22). Further funded research projects under grants and awards.
Media engagements
2015:
Goldsmiths launches multilingual digital storytelling project to boost literacy in schools
Critical Connections Project
2016:
Digital storytelling project celebrates success at BFI
Critical Connections Project with British Film Institute
2020:
Community films celebrate diverse Deptford
Critical Connections Project with Deptford Cinema
2021:
Deptford Storytelling Project: Celebrating One Year
Critical Connections Project with Deptford Cinema
Conferences and talks
2020:
Keynote: Creative multilingualism, digital storytelling and literacies: successes, challenges and future directions
Annual NALDIC Conference: Multilingual Britain: Successes, challenges and future directions
2021:
Our Stories: A multilingual community film-making project in Deptford
Language Acts and Worldmaking Conference 2020, Languages Future
2021:
Cultural Webs of Deptford: Multilingual Digital Stories of Friendship and Belonging
9th International Digital Storytelling Conference
2021:
Dragons in Cypriot Folk Tales: Transforming spaces of literacy through local literature, translanguaging and digital storytelling in a Cypriot primary
6th International Conference ‘Crossroads of Languages and Cultures’ (CLC6): Plurilingualism, Variation, Spaces of Literacy
2021:
Keynote: Stories, Communities, Voices: Revitalising Language Learning through Digital Storytelling
International Conference on Community/Heritage Language Education
2022:
Inspiring Young Multilingual Activists through Digital Technology and the Arts
Language World 2022: Language Learning for Social Justice
2022:
Language Education Collages
MOSAIC Group for Research on Multilingualism Seminar Series
2022:
Keynote: Insights into the Critical Connections Project: Revitalising Language Learning through Digital Storytelling
Storytelling in Primary CLIL Conference
2022:
Critical Connections Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project - DST Conference 2022: Rise Up! Reconnect. Rebuild. Recreate
10th International Digital Storytelling Conference:
Grants and awards
2009:
Cultural, linguistic and cognitive issues in teaching the language of literary texts for pupils with EAL in secondary schools
Early Career Research Award, Goldsmiths, University of London
2011:
Meeting the Challenge of the Multicultural Classroom (in conjunction with Portugal)
European Comenius Regio Project
2012:
Leading Partner in English as an Additional Language Programme, TDA. Secondary School EAL
Training Development Agency
2012:
Critical Connections: a Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
2013:
A development project: Collaborative Community Approach to Migrant Education (in conjunction with France, Spain, Greece and Canada).
European Centre for Modern Languages (Council of Europe)
2015:
Critical Connections II: Moving Forward with Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
2018:
Multilingual digital storytelling, museum artefacts and the arts: Creative pathways to language-and-culture learning
Small Grants Funding from Language Acts and Worldmaking AHRC project
2019:
Deptford Community Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project and Film Exhibition
Small Grants Funding from Language Acts and Worldmaking AHRC project
2020:
Our Planet – A Multilingual Poetry Workshop and Digital Storytelling Festival
Public Engagement Funding Goldsmiths, Univ. of London
2022:
Our Planet Festival 2022: Multilingual digital stories, artwork and poetry
Centre for Language Culture and Learning, Goldsmiths, University of London
Advisory Board, Academic Review Board, Scientific Committee, Editor
• Member of the Academic Review Board for the journal English in Education (2015 - ongoing)
• Associate Editor for EAL Journal (2015 – ongoing)
• Member of Advisory Committee for ‘Multilingual Creativity’ supported by Calouste Gulbenkian Society, King’s College London and Free Word Centre (2015 - 2018)
• Member of the Scientific Committee for the 4th International Conference of Ethnography and Education, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (11-14 July 2017)
• Member of the Scientific Committee for the 5th International Conference Crossroads of Languages and Cultures: Languages and Cultures at Home and at School, University of Crete (13-14 June 2018)
• Member of the Advisory Board for ‘Creative Translation in the Classroom’ (CTiC) programme led by the Stephen Spender Trust and funded by Rothschild Foundation and Polonsky Foundation (2019 – 2022)
• Member of the Advisory Board for ‘Young Poets’ Stories’ project led by Sue Dymoke (Nottingham Trent University) and Anthony Wilson (University of Exeter) and funded by the Foyle Foundation (2020 – 2023)
• Member of the Academic Review Board for the journal Pedagogy, Culture and Society (2020 – ongoing)
• Member of Scientific Committee for 6th International Conference Crossroads of Languages and Cultures (CLC6): Plurilingualism, Variation, Spaces of Literacy, University of Cyprus (2-4 September 2021)
