Pòl I. Miadhachàin-Chiblow (Paul J. Meighan-Chiblow) is a Gàidheal (Gael) from Glasgow, Scotland. He is a PhD Candidate, SSHRC Bombardier and TIRF Doctoral Scholar in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University.
Research: Indigenous language revitalization and decolonial language education.
Qualifications and experience
Paul is a multilingual (re)searcher, educator, and translator, fluent in four languages. He has a BA (Hons) in European Studies: Spanish Pathway (King's College London, 2006); a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Modern Foreign Languages (King's College London, 2009); and an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (Trinity Western University, 2019).
Paul is currently a PhD Candidate (Educational Studies) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Joseph-Armand Bombardier Doctoral Scholar in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), McGill University, Montréal, Québec. He is the recipient of the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) 2021 Multilingual Matters Graduate Student Award which recognizes excellence in multilingual research; The International Research Foundation (TIRF) for English Language Education 2021 Doctoral Dissertation Grant (DDG); and the co-recipient of TIRF's 2021 Russell N. Campbell Award which is presented to the highest-rated DDG applicant each year.
Paul has an extensive background translating and teaching languages (English as a Second/Foreign Language, Italian, Spanish and French) at secondary, college, and university level internationally since 2001. These experiences across the globe have allowed him the opportunity to learn several languages and experience diverse ways of being, knowing, teaching, and learning.
Research
Paul’s research focuses on Indigenous language revitalization, decolonizing language education, and language education policy. His research is informed by experiences as a Gàidheal in Glasgow, Scotland where, for example, his endangered mother tongue, Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic), was not available to him in the educational system. Members of his family and older generations recall being beaten for speaking it in school, and Gàidhlig, spoken for more than 1500 years in Scotland, is still not recognized as an “official” language in the United Kingdom.
Paul’s motivation for equitable education and language revitalization has continued to grow after meeting his Anishinaabe husband in Scotland and learning more about the devastating impacts of colonialism on the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island.
His community-led, SSHRC- and TIRF- funded research will explore ways in which decolonial, ecocentric education and relational technology could support Indigenous language revitalization. His research co-supervisors are Dr. Blane Harvey and Dr. Mela Sarkar, McGill University. His research committee members are Dr. Deborah McGregor, York University and Dr. Wesley Y. Leonard, University of California, Riverside.
Paul is currently a member of the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL), the Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics/L'Association canadienne de linguistique appliquée (ACLA/CAAL), TESOL Ontario, TESOL International, the Institute of General Semantics, and the Media Ecology Association. He is also a member of the Belonging, Identity, Language and Diversity (BILD), the Plurilingual Lab, and the Leadership and Learning for Sustainability research groups.
You can also follow his research on Twitter, Academia and Research Gate.
Sgeul-beatha (Biography in Scottish Gaelic)
Is e Gàidheal Albannach à Glaschu a tha ann am Pòl J. Miadhachàin-Chiblow a tha a’ dèanamh PhD ann am Foghlam ann an Roinn Foghlaim Amalaichte Oilthigh McGill. Tha ceum BA (le Urram) aige ann am Foghlam Eòrpach agus Spàinntis a thuilleadh air Teisteanas For-cheumnaiche ann am Foghlam (PGGE) ann an Nua-chànanan Cèin bho Cholaiste an Rìgh ann an Lunnainn (2002 agus 2009). Tha MA aige cuideachd ann an TESOL bho Oilthigh Trinity Western (2019).
Tha tòrr eòlas obrach aig Pòl ann an eadar-theangachadh agus teagasg cànain (Beurla mar Dara Cànan agus airson Adhbharan Academaigeach, Feadailtis, Spàinntis agus Fraingis) gu eadar-nàiseanta bho 2001. Tha an obair seo air feadh an t-saoghail air cothrom a thoirt dha grunn chànanan ionnsachadh agus eòlas a chur air diofar dhòighean beatha, teagasg agus ionnsachaidh. Bidh an rannsachadh coimhearsnachd aig Pòl le taic SSHRC ag amas air rannsachadh a dhèanamh air na ceangalaichean a tha eadar ath-bheòthachadh cànanan dùthchasach, Eigeòlas Traidiseanta (TEK) agus teicneolas dì-thìreachadh.
Acknowledgments
Paul would like to say miigwetch (thank you in Anishinaabemowin) and tapadh leibh (thank you in Gàidhlig) to his husband, his family in Alba (Scotland) and Turtle Island, friends, supervisors, mentors, DISE-McGill, SSHRC, AAAL, and TIRF for all their support on this lifelong learning journey. He would also like to say miigwetch and tapadh leibh to the Lands, Peoples, waters, spirits, animals and plants of Turtle Island.
Paul is grateful to currently reside with his Anishinaabe husband in T’karonto, the traditional lands and territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples and now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
Refereed Journal Articles, Book Chapters
Meighan, P. J. (2022). Colonialingualism: Colonial legacies, imperial mindsets, and inequitable practices in English language education. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/15595692.2022.2082406
Meighan, P. J. (2022). Indigenous language revitalization using TEK-nology: How can Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and technology support intergenerational language transmission? Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2022.2084548
Meighan, P. J. (forthcoming, 2022). Respecting the territory: Self-determined and relational technology in Indigenous language revitalization. ETC: A Review of General Semantics.
Meighan, P. J. (chapter accepted, forthcoming 2022). Online Worldreviewer Language Spaces (OWLS): Integrating decolonizing technology and heritage language pedagogy in TESOL. In K. Raza, C. Coombe & D. Reynolds (Eds.), Handbook of multilingual TESOL in practice. Springer.
Meighan, P. J. (2021). Bridging the past, present and future: How heritage language pedagogy can create a global and sustainable worldview in the English classroom. In C. E. Poteau & C. A. Winkle (Eds.), Advocacy for social and linguistic justice in TESOL: Nurturing inclusivity, equity, and social responsibility in English language teaching (1st ed., pp. 13-26). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003202356-3 (PDF)
Meighan, P. J. (2021). Decolonizing the digital landscape: The role of technology in Indigenous language revitalization. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 17(3), 397-405. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801211037672
Chiblow, S., & Meighan, P. J. (2021). Language is land, land is language: The importance of Indigenous languages. Human Geography. https://doi.org/10.1177/19427786211022899
Meighan, P. J. (2020). Decolonizing English: A proposal for implementing alternative ways of knowing and being in education. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, 15(2), 77-83. https://doi.org/10.1080/15595692.2020.1783228 (PDF)
Meighan, P. J. (2020). A case for decolonizing English language instruction. ELT Journal, 74(1), 83-85. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccz055 (PDF)
Meighan, P. J. (2019). An “educator’s” perspective: How heritage language pedagogy and technology can decolonize the English classroom. TESOL Journal, 11(2), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.483 (PDF)
Meighan, P. J. (2019). [Review of the coursebook Business Partner B1+, by I. Dubicka, M. O’Keefe, B. Dignen, M. Hogan & L. Wright]. TESL-EJ, 23(1). http://www.tesl-ej.org/pdf/ej89/r2.pdf
Belonging, Identity, Language and Diversity (BILD) blog posts
Meighan, P. J. (2021, Oct 10). (Un)learning cognitive and linguistic imperialism in English: Towards transepistemic language education. Belonging, Identity, Language, Diversity (BILD) Research Group. http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/wasq-fn87
Meighan, P. J. (2021, Feb 14). Romancing with the Romance languages: Col amor de un multi-, pluri- lingual o translanguaging éducateur. Belonging, Identity, Language, Diversity (BILD) Research Group.
Meighan, P. J. (2020, Nov 29). "The more you know, the more you need to know": Learning Gaelic and Ojibwe online during the pandemic. Belonging, Identity, Language, Diversity (BILD) Research Group.
Meighan, P. J. (2020, May 25). Searching for new stories and a language to live by: Reflections of a Gael in a foreign language. Belonging, Identity, Language, Diversity (BILD) Research Group.
Meighan, P. J. (2019, Nov 19). Refusing to inHABIT the binary: Reflections on language, culture and identity in the colonial bubble. Belonging, Identity, Language, Diversity (BILD) Research Group.
Pre-Print & Open-Access Articles
Meighan, P. J. (2021, Oct 1). Transepistemic language education: Knowledge co-creation in English language teaching. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4011394
Refereed Policy Studies & Research Reports
Pearson Education. (2017). A standard setting study to establish concordance between the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A) and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Harrow, Essex: Pearson Education.
Select Book Translations
Italian to English
Matsumoto, S., & Daga, M. (2020). Miyamoto Musashi: Battle against Yoshioka Clan (P. Meighan, Trans.). Lulu.
Matsumoto, S. (2017). Yoshioka: Dyers and swordsmen of Feudal Japan, 1540-1615 (P. Meighan, Trans.). CreateSpace.
Cammisecra, C. (2016). For the rain that falls (P. Meighan, Trans.). CreateSpace.
English to Italian
Perkins Gilman, C. (2014). La Tappezzeria Gialla (P. Meighan, Trans.). Easy Peasy Publishing.
Poe, E. A. (2014). Il Corvo (P. Meighan, Trans.). CreateSpace.
NOTE:
Only some of my refereed publications are archived here and available for educational purposes only and NOT for distribution, sharing, or commercial use.
Decolonizing English: a proposal for implementing alternative ways of knowing and being in education (pdf)
DownloadA case for decolonizing English language instruction (pdf)
DownloadAn educator's perspective: Heritage language pedagogy and technology (pdf)
DownloadBridging the past, present, and future (pdf)
DownloadMeighan, P. J. (2022, February 25). Who's doing it, and whose worldview? Community-driven and relational technology for Indigenous language revitalization. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/wBecx-LdPno
Meighan, P. J. (2022, February 11). Colonialingualism: Colonial Legacies, Imperial Mindsets, and Inequitable Teaching Practices. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ecs--qz7Cl8
InstituteofGS. (2021, October 1). Paul J. Meighan - Technology in relation: Digital and online self-determination in Indigenous language revitalization. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHR4QbmIQEU
Meighan, P. J. (2021, July 26). Decolonizing English: (Un)learning cognitive and linguistic imperialism. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aDvLsxRaLo
Meighan, P. J. (2021, July 25). (Re)viewing our relationships: Foundations for decolonial and equitable English language learning. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TvXGahNyNY
CERLL. (2021, June 29). Paul J. Meighan - The Worldviewer: Heritage language pedagogy as a means to embrace linguistic and epistemic diversity in English language teaching. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoY30ic9650
Plurilingual Lab. [Paul J. Meighan]. (2020, Sept 25). My research story - Paul J. Meighan. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8TrFA3w3H4&t=3s
McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE)
Critical Perspectives in Educational Theory and Research
March–May 2022
● Course instructor for MA (Ed) Critical Perspectives in Educational Theory and Research course through OFNIE-McGill University and Listuguj Education, Training and Employment Directorate.
Easy Peasy English, London, England
ESL Instructor / Online Curriculum Designer
July 2011–Present
● Instructor of English as a Foreign/Second Language (EFL/ESL, EAP, EBP), responsible for designing the schemes of work and lesson curricula for company courses.
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
School of Continuing Studies, English Language Programme (ELP)
English for Academic Purposes
July 2021–August 2021
● Course instructor on Academic English Conditional Acceptance Program for School of Continuing Studies, English Language Program at University of Toronto.
McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE)
Foundations of Second Language (L2) Education
January 2021
● Course instructor for intensive 4-week BA (Ed) Foundations of Second Language (L2) Education course through OFNIE-McGill University and Kahnawà:ke Education Center.
McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE)
Essentials of English Grammar
October–November 2020
● Course instructor for intensive 3-week BA (Ed) Essentials of English Grammar course through OFNIE-McGill University and Cree School Board.
The TEFL Academy, Toronto, Canada
TEFL Teacher Trainer / Online Assessor
January 2017–February 2020
● Teacher trainer for TEFL course, responsible for delivery of lessons, marking of lesson plans/certification requirements, and assessment of ability leading to issue of TEFL certificate.
Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales
Pre-sessional EAP Instructor
July–September 2019, 2020
● Instructor of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course, responsible for delivery of lessons, assessments, marking, and preparation of students for university courses.
McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Advanced Methods in TESL
January–February 2020
● Teacher trainer for Advanced Methods in TESL course, responsible for delivery of lessons, marking of lesson plans/certification requirements, and assessment of ability for elementary/secondary undergraduate Education course.
George Brown College, Toronto, Canada
ESL Instructor
November 2017–May 2019
● Responsible for planning and delivery of lessons, assessments and grading, extra-curricular events for Level 8 and 9 General English, and Level 8 Business English.
INTO Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland
ESL Instructor
March 2016–August 2016
● Responsible for the planning, delivery of lessons and preparation for formal examinations (e.g. IELTS).
INTO University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
ESL Instructor
July 2015–August 2015
● Responsible for the planning, delivery of lessons and preparation for formal examinations (e.g. IELTS).
Oita City Board of Education, JET Programme, Oita, Japan
ESL Teacher
August 2011–October 2011
● Teacher of English for Oita City Board of Education, responsible for the planning, delivery of lessons and preparation for formal examinations at Japanese High School.
Old Palace of John Whitgift School, London, England
Spanish Teacher
September 2010–July 2011
● Teacher of Spanish, responsible for the planning, delivery of lessons and preparation for formal examinations.
St Augustine’s Church of England Primary School, London, England
Spanish and French Teacher
May 2009–June 2009
● Teacher of Spanish and French, responsible for the planning, delivery of lessons and preparation for formal examinations.
NOTE:
Complete academic CV available upon request.
Professional and Academic Communities
American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
Task Force on the Future of the Conference Member
2022
American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) Graduate Student Council
Member-at-large (Social Media Sub-Committee Leader)
2022–2023
Language Planning and Policy (LPP) 2022 Conference, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Organizing Committee Member (Social Media & Table ronde Bill 96 Sub-Groups)
2021-2022
American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL), Pittsburgh, United States
Graduate Student Award Committee Member
2021–2022
Plurilingual Lab, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
My Research Story Coordinator
Sept 2020–Present
Responsible for: (1) coordinating participants to produce a video abstract of their research; (2) editing videos; and (3) uploading videos to social media platforms.
Plurilingual Lab, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Speaker Sessions Host & Chat Moderator
Sept 2020–Present
Responsible for: (1) hosting the online Speaker Sessions event, and (2) moderating the chat sessions for the Plurilingual Lab Speaker Sessions.
BILD/LIDA Research Group, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Blog Writer & Editor
2019–Present
Responsible for: (1) writing new blog posts related to language, culture and identity periodically, and (2) copy editing guest and regular blogger posts.
PluriDigit Project (PI: Dr. Angelica Galante), McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Research Assistant: Plurilingual Pedagogical Content Developer & Teacher Mentor
Apr 2021–August 2021
Responsible for: (1) designing and creating plurilingual, decolonial pedagogical content for digital platforms (PluriDigit project) in Spanish and English; and (2) online teacher mentor and student liaison in Spanish and English with Abraço Cultural, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
2020–2023: Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canadian Graduate Scholarship (CGS)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
2021: Doctoral Dissertation Grant
The International Research Foundation (TIRF) for English Language Education
2021: Russell N. Campbell Award
The International Research Foundation (TIRF) for English Language Education
2021: Multilingual Matters Award
American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
2019–2020: Emerging Scholar Award
DISE, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
2019–2020: Graduate Excellence Entrance Award
DISE, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
2019–2020: Graduate Research Enhancement & Travel Award
DISE, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
2019–2020: Graduate Research Enhancement & Travel Award
DISE, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
2008–2009: Robertson Trust Postgraduate Scholarship
Robertson Trust, Glasgow, Scotland
2002–2006: Robertson Trust Undergraduate Scholarship
Robertson Trust, Glasgow, Scotland
Paul J. Meighan
Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), Room 244,
Education Building, 3700 McTavish Street, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Copyright © 2022 Paul Meighan - All Rights Reserved.