Dr. Berenice Darnault | language learning | Best Researcher Award

Research and Teaching assistant at University of Southern Brittany, France

Dr. Berenice Darnault is a promising early-career researcher in applied linguistics with a PhD in Cognitive Science and Language from the University of Barcelona. Her research interests include second language acquisition (SLA), the psychology of language learning, and narrative studies, with a focus on lifelong language learning and senior learners. She has a strong academic background, multiple publications, and has actively participated in international conferences. Additionally, Dr. Darnault has experience in project management, teaching, and administration.

professional profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Berenice Darnault holds a PhD in Cognitive Science and Language from the University of Barcelona, awarded with distinction (Cum Laude) in 2023. Her doctoral thesis explored lifelong learning motivational ecologies through the narratives of senior language learners. She earned a Master of Arts (MA Honours) in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge in 2014, following a previous Master’s in European Studies (Distinction) from King’s College London in 2013. Dr. Darnault also holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge, completed in 2011 with a focus on language acquisition and linguistics. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in linguistics, language learning, and cognitive science, which underpins her research and teaching work in applied linguistics and SLA.

work Experience

Dr. Darnault’s academic career includes her current role as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the University of South Brittany, France, where she lectures on negotiation, international business, translation, and professional communication. Since 2015, she has worked as an English teacher and coach, mentoring university students and professionals in language acquisition. Previously, Dr. Darnault gained international teaching experience as an English and French Teaching Assistant at Escuela Virgen de Mirasierra in Madrid. In addition to her academic roles, she held key positions in administration and communication within the European Commission and the healthcare sector. Her experience across academic and non-academic sectors highlights her leadership, project management, and cross-cultural communication abilities.

Research Focus

Dr. Darnault’s research focuses on second language acquisition (SLA) and the psychology of language learning, with a particular interest in motivational ecologies. Her work explores how personality, intelligence, emotions, and motivation influence language learning, especially among senior learners. She draws on theoretical frameworks like the L2 Motivational Self System, self-determination theory, and dynamic systems theory to investigate how learners engage with languages across their lifespan. Additionally, Dr. Darnault is interested in lifelong language learning and the age-related effects on language acquisition. Her research also extends into socio-cultural perspectives in English language teaching (ELT) and the learner-teacher dynamic in communities of practice, making her contributions valuable to both SLA and applied linguistics fields.

Awards and honors

Dr. Berenice Darnault has been recognized for her academic and research contributions with several awards. In 2024, she received a prestigious European Second Language Association (EuroSLA) Workshop Grant from the EuroSLA Executive Committee, supporting her research in applied linguistics. She was also awarded the King’s Leadership Award at the University of King’s College in 2013 for her exemplary leadership in academic and extracurricular activities. During her undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, she was the recipient of the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust Scholarship, which provided £6,000 annually for the duration of her studies from 2007 to 2011. These honors reflect her commitment to excellence in research and leadership in linguistics and education.

Conclusion

Dr. Berenice Darnault is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award, particularly as an emerging scholar in applied linguistics. Her research on lifelong language learning and motivational ecologies, along with her interdisciplinary teaching and project management experience, make her a valuable asset to the academic community. However, to strengthen her candidacy, further expansion of her research scope and deeper leadership involvement within academic institutions could elevate her overall profile.

Publications to Noted

Innovative Use of Narrative Inquiry for Motivation Research (2025)
Authors: Consoli, S. and Darnault, B.
Citation: Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, Special Issue, Forthcoming 2025.

Lifelong Motivation and Foreign Language Learning: Perspectives from Later Life (2025)
Author: Darnault, B.
Citation: Bristol: Multilingual Matters, Forthcoming 2025.

Motivation et bien-être dans l’apprentissage des langues chez les seniors (2024)
Author: Darnault, B.
Citation: Les Langues Modernes, Forthcoming 2024.

Tracing the dynamics of motivational self-constructs across the lifespan: Tales from senior learners of English (2024)
Authors: Darnault, B., Tragant, E., and Lasagabaster, D.
Citation: System, Vol. 126, 103487, November 2024.

Berenice Darnault | language learning | Best Researcher Award