Ibraam Abdelsayed | Language Policy | Best Researcher Award

Published on 15/05/202515/05/2025 by TOT Awards

Dr. Ibraam Abdelsayed | Language Policy | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at University for Foreigners of Siena, Italy

Dr. Ibraam Abdelsayed is a distinguished Egyptian linguist and educator specializing in Arabic language education, sociolinguistics, and translation. With a PhD in Linguistics from the University for Foreigners of Siena, he has dedicated his academic journey to Arabic as a heritage and foreign language. Currently serving as Adjunct Professor and Post-doctoral Fellow at the same institution, he also collaborates with multiple Italian universities, including Parma and Bergamo. Dr. Abdelsayed leads significant research projects like AHLI and PluM, which investigate Arabic language maintenance among immigrant communities and plurilingual education. An expert in both Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic, he is also engaged in curriculum development, certification, and training under CILS. His professional mission is to enhance cross-cultural communication and promote inclusive linguistic education in multicultural settings. Fluent in Arabic, Italian, and proficient in English and German, he brings both academic depth and practical application to his teaching and research.

professional profile

Google Scholar

ORCID

Education

Dr. Ibraam Abdelsayed earned his PhD in Linguistics with distinction from the University for Foreigners of Siena, Italy (2019), with a dissertation on the “Frequency Lexicon of Spoken Arabic in Egypt.” He holds a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the same university (2015), where he graduated cum laude for his thesis on integrating Modern Standard and Egyptian Arabic in higher education. He began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Languages from Ain Shams University’s Faculty of Al-Alsun in Cairo, Egypt. As part of his academic formation, he undertook an Erasmus traineeship at the Italian Cultural Institute in Stuttgart, Germany, enriching his intercultural and linguistic competencies. His academic training, rooted in both Arabic and European linguistic traditions, provided a solid foundation for his current work in multilingualism, sociolinguistics, and educational linguistics. He is fluent in Italian, Arabic (MSA & Egyptian dialect), and has working knowledge of English and German.

work Experience

Dr. Abdelsayed has held several academic positions in Italy, including Adjunct Professor of Arabic Translation and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic at the University for Foreigners of Siena. He has served as a post-doctoral fellow at the CILS Centre, leading research on language contact between Arabic and Italian. His past teaching roles include Arabic instruction at the Universities of Bergamo, Parma, Perugia, and Siena, where he developed and taught language, culture, and literature courses. He has also worked with the University of Rome “La Sapienza” as an expert annotator for Arabic language resources. Additionally, he contributes to CILS exam development, supervises theses, and participates in academic committees. As coordinator of the Arabic Network at ANILS and a certified trainer, he also plays a pivotal role in shaping Arabic language pedagogy across Italy. His teaching is deeply rooted in practical experience, inclusive methodologies, and digital innovations in language learning.

Research Focus

Dr. Abdelsayed’s research bridges Arabic linguistics, sociolinguistics, language policy, and plurilingual education. His primary research focuses on the maintenance and transmission of Arabic as a heritage language among immigrant communities in Italy, particularly through the AHLI (Arabic as Heritage Language in Italy) project. He also explores plurilingual teaching strategies in multicultural classrooms under the PluM project, which involves over 1,200 educators across Italy. His earlier work includes corpus development for spoken Arabic and the study of lexical frequencies in Egyptian Arabic. He is also active in research related to language assessment, having contributed to test development for the CILS exam. His sociolinguistic inquiries extend to language contact phenomena between Arabic and Italian, especially in Tuscany, and how these dynamics influence language learning and identity. Dr. Abdelsayed’s scholarship is both empirically rich and socially relevant, with the goal of fostering linguistic diversity, inclusive education, and intercultural dialogue in European contexts.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Ibraam Abdelsayed has received academic distinction throughout his studies, including cum laude honors for his Master’s degree and an “Excellent” grade for his PhD dissertation. His educational journey has been supported by international scholarships and Erasmus placements, reflecting his academic merit and global engagement. He has been entrusted with leading national-level research projects such as AHLI (Arabic as Heritage Language in Italy) and PluM (Plurilingual and Multicultural Classrooms), highlighting his leadership and scholarly impact. His appointment as Coordinator of the Arabic Network at ANILS and Subject Expert in Arabic, Anthropology, and Language Education at the University for Foreigners of Siena further affirms his academic stature. He is also a certified CILS Exam Trainer and Test Developer, roles that showcase his excellence in language assessment. Dr. Abdelsayed’s numerous invitations to speak, train, and collaborate at institutional and national levels are strong indicators of the recognition he has earned in his field.

🛠️ Skills

Dr. Abdelsayed’s core competencies include Arabic language pedagogy (MSA and Egyptian Colloquial), translation studies, sociolinguistics, and curriculum design. He is skilled in academic writing, lexical analysis, language policy, and heritage language education. Technologically adept, he utilizes Microsoft Office, Google Suite (Docs, Meet, Forms, Classroom), Moodle, and educational platforms like Wordwall and LearningApps. He is proficient in remote teaching tools such as Zoom, Teams, and Skype. His multilingual fluency—Arabic (native), Italian (C2), English (B2), and German (B1)—enhances his cross-cultural effectiveness in both research and instruction. As a test developer and trainer for the CILS certification, he brings a nuanced understanding of language assessment. His collaborative and leadership skills are evident from his coordination roles at ANILS and national projects. With a pedagogical style rooted in inclusivity and interculturalism, Dr. Abdelsayed is also experienced in teacher training and student supervision, making him a well-rounded academic and educational leader.

Conclusion

Dr. Ibraam Abdelsayed demonstrates a remarkable blend of academic excellence, educational innovation, and community-centered research. His work significantly contributes to Arabic linguistics, heritage language preservation, and multilingual education in Europe. While global visibility through publications could be enhanced, his leadership, teaching, and active project management already place him among top-tier candidates.

Publications to Noted

Title: Lessico di frequenza dell’arabo parlato in Egitto (LAPE)
Author(s): I. Abdelsayed
Citations: 8
Year: 2021

Title: Family Language Policies for Maintaining Arabic as a Home Language in Italy: The AHLI Project
Author(s): I. Abdelsayed, M. Bellinzona
Citations: 4
Year: 2024

Title: Language Attitudes among Second-Generation Arabic Speakers in Italy
Author(s): I. Abdelsayed, M. Bellinzona
Citations: 2
Year: 2024

Title: Repetita iuvant, perseverare diabolicum. Un approccio multidisciplinare alla ripetizione
Author(s): D. Mastrantonio, I. Abdelsayed, M. Marrucci, M. Bellinzona, O. Paris, et al.
Citations: 1
Year: 2023

Title: Italiani sulle rive del Nilo: storia, contributi e prospettive di una comunità italiana a Il Cairo (1800–1950)
Author(s): I. Abdelsayed
Citations: 1
Year: 2016

Title: L’apprendimento dell’arabo nel contesto universitario tra HLLs e FLLs: il caso UniStraSi
Author(s): I. Abdelsayed, L. Cosenza, A. Nasimi
Citations: Not listed
Year: 2024

Title: A Frequency Dictionary of Contemporary Arabic Fiction: Core Vocabulary for Learners and Material Developers (book review)
Author(s): I. Abdelsayed
Citations: Not listed
Year: 2024

Title: Sillabo per la progettazione di percorsi sperimentali di apprendimento a livello Alfa alto
Author(s): I. G. M. Abdelsayed, E. Bonvino, A. Casagrande, L. Cinganotto, G. Dalfino, et al.
Citations: Not listed
Year: 2024

Title: Sillabo per la progettazione di percorsi sperimentali di apprendimento a livello Alfa basso
Author(s): I. G. M. Abdelsayed, E. Bonvino, A. Casagrande, L. Cinganotto, G. Dalfino, et al.
Citations: Not listed
Year: 2024

Title: L’arabo (-egiziano) in contatto con altre lingue: storia, provenienza e distribuzione dei prestiti nel LAPE
Author(s): I. G. Abdelsayed, M. Francesca
Citations: Not listed
Year: 2024

Svenja Völkel | Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

Published on 28/09/202428/09/2024 by TOT Awards

Dr. Svenja Völkel | Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

academic staff member at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany

Dr. Svenja Völkel is an accomplished linguist with a PhD in Language Typology from Johannes Gutenberg University. Her academic career spans over two decades, including roles as a scientific assistant, lecturer, and postdoctoral researcher at prestigious institutions such as Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg. Her research focuses on ethnolinguistics, cognitive linguistics, language typology, and language contact, with a particular interest in Oceania, especially Tonga and Polynesia. She has a substantial fieldwork experience in the Pacific region and has received numerous grants, including funding from the German Research Foundation and the Gutenberg Teaching Council.

professional profile

Scopus Profile

Education

Dr. Svenja Völkel completed her Magistra Artium (MA) in General Linguistics, Cultural Anthropology, and Media Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, in 2000. Her passion for languages and culture led her to pursue supplementary MA courses in African and German Studies. She further honed her academic skills with a PhD in Language Typology, awarded in 2007 from Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz. Additionally, she participated in a study abroad program in linguistics at the University Paul Valéry, Montpellier, France, from 1998 to 1999, and has completed professional leadership training through the ZQ certificate program. Her educational journey is marked by internships in international settings, notably at Hoechst Marion Roussel in Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Völkel’s comprehensive academic background is complemented by her interdisciplinary approach to linguistics, incorporating cultural and cognitive perspectives in her research and teaching.

work Experience

Dr. Svenja Völkel has held various academic roles at prestigious institutions. Since 2006, she has served as a scientific assistant at the Institute of Language Typology at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz. She has also been a lecturer at the Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, and has taught numerous courses in linguistics and cultural anthropology. Her international experience includes a visiting scholar position at the University of Otago, New Zealand, in 2023, and fieldwork across Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, and Australia. Dr. Völkel’s research focuses on the linguistic and cultural dynamics of Oceania, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. She has been involved in multiple collaborative projects, notably co-editing the “Anthropological Linguistics” book series and leading working groups on language and cognition. Her leadership extends to curriculum development, supervising theses, and contributing to various academic committees and research centers.

Research Focus

Dr. Svenja Völkel’s research focuses on ethnolinguistics, language typology, and cognitive linguistics, with a particular interest in the linguistic and cultural dynamics of Oceania, especially Tonga and Polynesia. Her work explores the intricate relationships between language, culture, and cognition, with specific research areas including person reference (onomastics, honorifics, and kinship terminology), spatial descriptions, possessive constructions, and word classes. She is fascinated by the way language reflects and shapes social structures, cognitive processes, and cultural identities. Dr. Völkel’s interdisciplinary approach often integrates cultural anthropology, resulting in significant contributions to understanding how language functions in diverse social and cognitive contexts. Her research is fieldwork-driven, having conducted extensive studies across the Pacific region, including in Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, and Australia. Through her work, she has established herself as a leading figure in anthropological linguistics and continues to explore new ways in which language and culture intersect.

Awards and honors

Dr. Svenja Völkel has received numerous accolades for her contributions to linguistics and anthropology. She was awarded the prestigious Gutenberg Research Funding in 2018-2019, which provided start-up funding for her grant applications. Her commitment to innovative teaching was recognized with the Gutenberg Teaching Council (GLK) grant for research-oriented teaching from 2014 to 2016. Earlier in her career, she received multiple fellowships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), including Graduate Fellowships I and II during her PhD studies from 2002 to 2004, which facilitated her extensive field research in Oceania. In 2007, the German Research Foundation (DFG) awarded her travel funding for her research in the Pacific. Additionally, Dr. Völkel received a European Commission-Socrates/ERASMUS grant for her study exchange at the University Paul Valéry, Montpellier. These honors reflect her academic excellence and commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research in language, culture, and cognition.

Conclusion

Dr. Svenja Völkel is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her long-standing and impactful contributions to the fields of ethnolinguistics and language typology. Her in-depth fieldwork in Oceania, extensive academic experience, and leadership in collaborative research projects make her deserving of this recognition. With some additional focus on expanding her research beyond Oceania and increasing her engagement with the global linguistics community, she could further solidify her standing as a leading researcher in her field.

Publications to Noted

Naming and Labelling Contexts of Cultural Importance in Africa
Authors: Völkel, S., Ndlovu, S., Nassenstein, N.
Citations: 0
Year: 2023
Journal: International Journal of Language and Culture, 10(2), pp. 145–150

Named Entities, Naming Practices, and Their Meanings – Linguistic Types and Cultural Contexts
Author: Völkel, S.
Citations: 0
Year: 2023
Journal: International Journal of Language and Culture, 10(2), pp. 151–175

Introduction: The Cultural Aspect of Personal Names
Authors: Ndlovu, S., Völkel, S.
Citations: 0
Year: 2023
Book: Personal Names and Naming from an Anthropological-Linguistic Perspective, pp. 1–11

Personal Names and Naming in Tongan Language and Culture
Author: Völkel, S.
Citations: 1
Year: 2023
Book: Personal Names and Naming from an Anthropological-Linguistic Perspective, pp. 301–321

Approaches to Language and Culture
Authors: Völkel, S., Nassenstein, N.
Citations: 2
Year: 2022
Book: Approaches to Language and Culture, pp. 1–558

Studying the Relationship of Language and Culture: Scope and Directions
Authors: Nassenstein, N., Völkel, S.
Citations: 4
Year: 2022
Book: Approaches to Language and Culture, pp. 3–29

Tongan Honorifics and Their Underlying Concepts of Mana and Tapu: A Verbal Taboo in Its Emic Sense
Author: Völkel, S.
Citations: 6
Year: 2021
Journal: Pragmatics and Cognition, 28(1), pp. 25–56

Word Classes and the Scope of Lexical Flexibility in Tongan
Author: Völkel, S.
Citations: 5
Year: 2017
Journal: Studies in Language, 41(2), pp. 445–495

Tongan-English Language Contact and Kinship Terminology
Author: Völkel, S.
Citations: 5
Year: 2016
Journal: World Englishes, 35(2), pp. 242–258

Tongan Kinship Terminology and Social Stratification
Author: Völkel, S.
Citations: 1
Year: 2015
Book: Living Kinship in the Pacific, 4, pp. 107–127

Ibraam Abdelsayed | Language Policy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ibraam Abdelsayed | Language Policy | Best Researcher Award

professional profile

Education

work Experience

Research Focus

🏅 Awards and Honors

🛠️ Skills

Conclusion

Publications to Noted

Svenja Völkel | Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Svenja Völkel | Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

professional profile

Education

work Experience

Research Focus

Awards and honors

Conclusion

Publications to Noted

RECOMMENDED

Mail us