On Tuesday 24 November 2026. 30.00 to 5.30 pm, we’re heading to the Institut français d’Écosse in Edinburgh for an afternoon dedicated to la bandes dessinées (BDs), the wonderful world of French comics! Not taking the French elective (yet)? Pas de problème ! You’re still very welcome to join us! Parce que la culture française, […]
News
Remembering Ine Martens and their research
We are deeply saddened by the death of our PhD student and colleague, Ine Martens, who died on 11 October 2026, at the age of 31, following an illness. We were Ine’s PhD supervisors at Heriot-Watt University, and we would like to share something about Ine, their research, and what it was like to work […]
LINCS Researchers Showcase Applied Linguistics Research at BAAL 2026
LINCS colleagues participated in the annual flagship conference of the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL) at Aston University in September. PhD student Aurora Zhang’s presentation, Visualising self in translanguaging space: Children’s creative representations in a Chinese community school, discussed how arts-based research methods can shed light into children’s identity negotiation and performance. Aurora also […]
Step Inside the World of Sign Language Interpreting
From AI-powered immersive hospital simulations and NHS placements to award-winning research shaping broadcasting, public policy and support for Deaf communities, the latest SIGNS in Motion newsletter showcases the impact of SIGNS@HWU across teaching, research and engagement. You’ll also find international updates, student success stories, new publications, and a tribute to respected Deaf scholar Ine Martens. […]
European Commission Interpreter Inspires Future Language Professionals in LINCS
LINCS was delighted to welcome Joanne O’Donnell, EU conference interpreter and trainer with the European Commission’s DG Interpretation (DG SCIC), for a two-day visit that gave students invaluable insights into the interpreting profession. A graduate of Heriot-Watt’s Languages (Interpreting and Translating) programme, Joanne returned to share her expertise with current students through classroom visits, practical […]
LINCS welcomes guest speaker from NATO
We were delighted to welcome a distinguished guest speaker to our International Politics course last week. Lesley Reid, who works at NATO and is also a PhD researcher at the University of Leiden, delivered a fascinating talk on Language, Power, and Influence in International Organisations, exploring how language shapes decision-making, legitimacy, and influence within international […]
LINCS strengthens partnership with FIM in Munich
We were delighted to welcome colleagues from the Fremdspracheninstitut der Landeshauptstadt München (FIM) to LINCS recently. Their visit provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate the success of our long-standing partnership and to explore new ways of working together in the years ahead. FIM graduates continue to progress to our MSc Translation and Interpreting programme, and […]
Inspiring Future Linguists at top performing school in England
Professor Katerina Strani, LINCS Head of Department, visited Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS), Penrith, Cumbria, recently and met an engaged and enthusiastic group of sixth-form students. The School is amongst the top performing schools in Languages in the country, and it has recently won the GCHQ Language Challenge prize. During the visit, Prof Strani and […]
Strengthening Ties with the University of Granada: Creating Opportunities for Languages Graduates
The Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies (LINCS) is delighted to celebrate a new cooperation agreement between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Granada, formalising and strengthening a relationship that has connected our institutions for many years. The partnership builds on a long history of collaboration through student and staff exchanges, research activities, academic cooperation […]
From the Classroom to the Festival Stage: LINCS Interpreters in Action at Scotland’s International Film Festivals
This autumn, students and graduates from the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies (LINCS) once again had the opportunity to put their interpreting skills into practice at two of Scotland’s leading international film festivals. Through our longstanding collaborations with IberoDocs and the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF), our interpreters played a key role in helping […]