- Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts (Qatar), Texas A&M University at Qatar
I am an applied linguist with specialization in the interdisciplinary fields of second language studies and sociolinguistics. Broadly, I seek solutions to language-related problems with the goal of empowering individuals and communities. My research takes a qualitative, sociological, and anthropological approach to understand how people learn, teach, and use languages, as well as people's ideologies about languages and the intersection of their language ideologies, language use, and social identities. I am also interested in how these intersections both shape and are shaped by pedagogies and broader language planning and policy. I have primarily conducted research with underexplored populations of Arabic-speaking university students and teachers, both within the context of Arabic heritage language classrooms in the United States and English-medium instruction (EMI), American branch campuses in Qatar.
- Ph.D. in Second Language Studies (SLS), Michigan State University - (East Lansing, Michigan, United States) 2011
- M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language, Michigan State University - (East Lansing, Michigan, United States) 2006
- Cert. in TESOL, American University - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States) 2002
- B.A. in International Relations, American University - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States) 2002
Academic Articles9
- Graham, K. M., Eslami, Z. R., & Hillman, S. (2021). From English as the Medium to English as a Medium: Perspectives of EMI Students in Qatar. System. 102508-102508.
- Hillman, S., Selvi, A. F., & Yazan, B. (2020). A scoping review of world Englishes in the Middle East and North Africa. World Englishes.
- Ahmad, R., & Hillman, S. (2020). Laboring to communicate: Use of migrant languages in COVID-19 awareness campaign in Qatar. Multilingua. 0(0),
- Hillman, S. (2019). ‘It will be funny [to speak Hindi]’: Travelling Englishes and perceptions about learning migrant languages in Qatar. Transitions Journal of Transient Migration. 3(2), 177-200.
- Hillman, S. (2019). “I’m a Heritage Speaker of the Damascene Dialect of Arabic”: Negotiating the Identity Label of Arabic Heritage Language Learner. Heritage Language Journal. 16(3), 296-317.
Chapters1
- Hillman, S. K. (2015). Basic Arabic for health care professionals. Trace, J., Hudson, T., & Brown, J. D. (Eds.), Developing Courses in Languages for Specific Purposes. (pp. 35-47). University of Hawai'i.
Conference Papers2
- Hillman, S., & Salama, G. (2018). Female Participation in Engineering Fields: Successes, Challenges, and Recommendations in a Non-western Context. ADVANCES IN HUMAN FACTORS IN TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND LEARNING SCIENCES, AHFE 2017. 716, 323-331.
- Hillman, S., Salama, G., Ocampo Eibenschutz, E., Awadh, S., & El Said, L. (2017). Being Female and an Engineering Student in Qatar: Successes, Challenges, and Recommendations. 2012 ASEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 2017-June(Women in Engineering Division Technical Sessi),
- Experts discuss role of translation in spreading awareness of pandemic Qatar Tribune October 15, 2020
- Why is Qatar's percentage of female engineering students double the US's? Inside Higher Ed June 20, 2018
Principal Investigator3
- Being Female and an Engineer in Qatar awarded by Transformative Educational Experience Grant 2017 - 2017
- ASCC289 Found.eng I:essential Skills Instructor
- ASCC289 Found.eng I:essential Skills Instructor
- ASCC289 Found.eng Iii: Academic Skills Instructor
- ASCC289 Found.eng Iii:academic Skills Instructor
- COMM335 Intercultural Communic Instructor