(PTN – Polish Association of Modern Languages)

Katarzyna Karpińska-Szaj

Katarzyna Karpińska-Szaj is a full professor at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland, and specialises in French applied linguistics. The nomination of Katarzyna Karpińska-Szaj to receive the International FIPLV Award was unanimously put forward by the Board of the Polish Association of Modern Languages in appreciation of her commitment to theoretical and teaching work related to French applied linguistics and especially her contribution to special needs language pedagogy, with particular focus on deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. Other aspects of her career that deserve recognition are her organisational activity in local, national and international contexts as well as her being an exemplary role-model for her colleagues and
students.

Professor Karpińska-Szaj is a Polish initiator of research on foreign language learning in students with hearing impairment, which is evidenced by her numerous publications and nationwide contributions on the subject. Her work comprises theoretical exploration of the dynamics of language acquisition in the learning of deaf and hard-of-hearing children as well as the development of practical tools to help students acquire language in situations of communication disorders.

With regard to organisational aspects, Katarzyna Karpińska-Szaj distinguishes herself from other professionals by her active collaboration with the socio-economic environment on a local, national and international level. Locally, she regularly cooperates with schools and teacher training centres, where she shares her knowledge and research findings on students with disabilities and their needs. On the national level, she has been invited to various bodies committed to language education of learners with special needs. She is also an expert for the Polish Accreditation Committee, and a long-standing member and former President of the Polish Association of Modern Languages. Internationally, Professor Karpińska-Szaj has participated in research projects with such prestigious partners as Université Paris-Sorbonne or Institut International de Gestion Mentale in Paris. Her research activities have resulted not only in numerous publications but also in generous sharing of her experience and expertise
with other researchers, students and teachers.

It is also worth noting that professor Karpińska-Szaj is regarded in the academic community as a role model in terms of scholarship, teaching and personality. Through her work, commitment and ethical conduct, she is able to inspire others (e.g. she has been a successful PhDs supervisor and a reviewer in doctoral and habilitation proceedings), and her work has been recognised with prestigious national awards for outstanding achievements in foreign language pedagogy research in Poland.