Global Visionary Series | Shaping Future Capabilities – How Academic Curricula Meet Industry Demands

I am a Professor of Linguistics interested in formal second language acquisition, syntactic theory and grammatical attrition. Originally from Spain, I joined the department in 2004 after receiving my PhD in Applied Linguistics from Boston University, USA.

I am a member of the REF2029 Subpanel 26 (Modern Languages and Linguistics).

I am the co-director of the ESRC-funded SPLLOC project which investigates the acquisition of Spanish morphosyntax by English learners.

I have co-led the creation of two open-access digital corpora freely available to the research community: L2 Spanish learner data (www.splloc.soton.ac.uk) and L1 native  language attrition (www.conga.soton.ac.uk)

I have led an AHRC-funded research project investigating native language attrition, changes in the grammars of native speakers as the result of learning a second language. My collaborators are Dr Glyn Hicks, Dr E Jamieson and Prof Monika Schmid.

I am a member of the editorial board of ‘Second Language Research’ and ex member of the editorial board of ‘Studies in Second Language Acquisition’ and the ‘Journal of the European Second Language Association’. Ex-member of the ‘European Second Language Association’ (EuroSLA) Executive Committee. Member of the ‘ESRC Peer Review College’.

Linda Mackie is a Principal Teaching Fellow at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, where she leads the postgraduate Design Management programme. Her academic practice is rooted in values‑led education with a strong focus on sustainability, ethical design, and critical engagement with global systems. Through her leadership, the programme supports students in developing the strategic, creative, and reflective skills required to navigate contemporary design management and to lead responsibly within the creative industries.

I bring extensive international industry experience across fashion, product, and supply management, having worked within diverse global contexts in design and production. This professional background shapes my teaching and curriculum development, providing students with a deep understanding of the relationship between design, commerce, and culture. Have a broad global perspective enables me to effectively bridge theory with real‑world practice, fostering learning environments that are both critically engaged and professionally relevant.

As the School’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead, I play a central role in shaping inclusive academic practices and supporting a culture of equity and belonging. Working across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and contributing to embedding social justice in teaching, research, and community engagement. My values in leadership reflect a sustained commitment to addressing structural inequalities and championing inclusive pedagogies.

I am also a Council member for FACE (Fashion & Arts Creating Equity), a cross‑institutional organisation dedicated to advancing anti-racism in higher education. In this role, I support sector-wide initiatives that challenge systemic barriers and promote meaningful change in policy and practice.

My academic interests include inclusive design, design thinking, and the intersections of sustainability and social impact in creative practice. I continually contribute to curriculum innovation, staff development, and cross‑institutional knowledge exchange, and regularly engages in scholarly dissemination and sector dialogue.

As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy my work reflects a deep commitment to values‑led education, and continue to advocate for inclusive, sustainable, and transformative learning experiences within and beyond the university

Scientific literacy cultivation & industry transformation capabilities,

Dr Dorrie Chao is Departmental Head of Teaching (DHoT) in Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Principal Teaching Fellow/Associate Professor (Teaching) in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Deputy Director of Internationalisation (Education), International Exchange Coordinator within Southampton Business School (SBS) at the University of Southampton.

University curriculum positioning, talent standards & feasible industry‑academia collaboration models

University curriculum positioning, talent standards & feasible industry‑academia collaboration models