SINDONI Maria Grazia

MARIA GRAZIA SINDONI
Full Professor of English Linguistics and Translation
University of Messina, Italy
Email: [mgsindoni@unime.it](mailto:mgsindoni@unime.it)

ACADEMIC PROFILE

Full Professor of English Linguistics and Translation in the Department of Ancient and Modern Civilisations at the University of Messina since 2021. Previously Associate Professor (2017–2021) and Assistant Professor (2006–2017) at the same institution. Former Deputy Rector for Intercultural Processes and Plurilingualism.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Multimodality and social semiotics; translanguaging; video-mediated interaction; intercultural digital literacies; systemic-functional linguistics; multimodal critical discourse analysis.

Her research examines how language and other semiotic resources contribute to meaning-making in digital environments, with particular attention to the relationships between speech and writing, multimodal transcription and annotation, and methods for analysing screen-mediated interaction. Further areas of investigation include online hate speech, cultural and linguistic diversity, language and mode ideologies, and the linguistic and semiotic dimensions of artificial intelligence.

EDUCATION

PhD in English and Anglo-American Studies, University of Catania, in collaboration with the University of Warwick (2003). Doctoral research on Anglo-Caribbean Creole languages.

MA in British Cultural Studies, University of Warwick (2002).

Postgraduate Diploma in English Linguistics, University of Messina (1999), with distinction.

Degree in Foreign Languages and Literature, University of Messina (1998), with distinction.

FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS

LIL-ECHOES: Living Intercultural Labs: Empowering Communities Through Intercultural Encounters in Virtual Worlds
Horizon Europe, Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society, 2026–2030. Overall funding: approximately €3.49 million. Research on intercultural encounters and community engagement in virtual environments.

ECHOES: English Studies to Contrast Hate Online and Enhance Solidarity
Italian PRIN 2022 programme, NextGenerationEU, 2023–2026. Overall funding: approximately €392,000. Research addressing online hate and solidarity through English studies.

Pump Priming Collaboration between UK and EU Partners
British Academy, 2025. Twelve-month initiative supporting research collaboration between UK and European partners.

Development of Linguistic and Semiotic Protocols for Artificial Intelligence Models Informed by Multimodality
Italian National Operational Programme for Research and Innovation 2014–2020, 2022–2024. Principal Investigator. Research connecting multimodal approaches with the development of linguistic and semiotic protocols for artificial intelligence.

Professional Development Programme for Teaching Non-Linguistic Subjects in a Foreign Language through Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
Sicilian Region, 2023–2024. Programme Director. Professional development for lower- and upper-secondary school teachers.

EU-MADE4LL: European Multimodal and Digital Education for Language Learning
Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education, 2016–2019. Overall funding: approximately €437,000. Research and educational development in multimodal communication and digital literacies. She also led the development of the Common Framework of Reference for Intercultural Digital Literacies, coordinating seven research units in Italy, Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

ACT: Access through Text – Accessibilità mediata dai testi
2011–2013. Research on text-mediated accessibility.

Models of Verbal and Non-Verbal Interactions in Web 2.0 Textuality
University of Messina, 2008–2009.

Blogs in Speech and Writing: Analysis of Modality Markers in Blogs
University of Messina, 2006–2007.

S.E.L.E.: Scientific English Learning Environment
University of Messina, 2005–2006. Development of resources for English in scientific disciplines.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS

Research Co-Leader in data-driven approaches to multimodal video corpus analysis within systemic-functional linguistics, since 2022.

Research Associate in international research groups on online hate speech, since 2020, and identity, language, and diversity, since 2015.

Contributor to a Harvard-coordinated research group on Caribbean and Afro-Latin American languages and cultures, 2014–2016.

Co-Leader of a testing and assessment research group within the European Confederation of Language Centres in Higher Education (CERCLES), 2009–2011.

PUBLICATIONS

5 research monographs.
35 journal articles.
33 book chapters.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

AERA SIG-110 Outstanding Book Award, 2024.

AIA Book Prize for a monograph in English Language and Linguistics, 2016.

University of Messina awards recognising research productivity across several assessment periods.

TEACHING AND DOCTORAL EDUCATION

Her undergraduate and postgraduate teaching encompasses English linguistics, text and discourse analysis, translation theory and professional practice, and English in specialist and media contexts. Her teaching connects theoretical approaches with the analysis of communicative practices and the development of analytical and translation skills.

Member of the doctoral board in Cognitive Sciences at the University of Messina since 2020, with additional experience in doctoral supervision, mentoring, and examination. External examiner and reviewer for more than 40 higher education institutions worldwide.

EDITORIAL AND REVIEWING ACTIVITIES

Editorial board memberships include Discourse, Context & Media, Journal of Language Aggression and Conflict, AI-Linguistica, and Asian Journal of Media Studies. Advisory board member of Teaching English with Technology.

Regular reviewer for international journals and academic publishers, including Routledge and Palgrave Macmillan, and for national and international research funding programmes, including Italian PRIN projects and the European Research Council.

INVITED TALKS AND VISITING APPOINTMENTS

Plenary lectures, invited talks, and research seminars at universities and international conferences across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, addressing multimodality, digital discourse, intercultural digital literacies, and artificial intelligence.

Visiting Professor, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2022).

Visiting Academic, Centre for Multimodal Research, Institute of Education, University of London (2010).

Member of scientific and programme committees for international conferences in multimodality, digital discourse, pragmatics, and applied linguistics.

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

Deputy Rector for Intercultural Processes and Plurilingualism, University of Messina, 2023-2025.

Rector’s Delegate for Language Policies, 2019–2023.

Coordinator of the BA programme in Foreign Languages, Literatures and Language Mediation, 2016–2019.

Member of the Department’s Joint Staff–Student Committee, 2013–2016.

University Language Centre Advisory Board member, 2010–2013, and Centre Coordinator, 2004–2006.