Eye-tracking technology for applied linguistics: researcher development workshop
On the 5 November 2025, the School of Education was proud to host 'The BAAL Researcher Development Workshop 2025'.
The School of Education hosted ‘The BAAL Researcher Development Workshop 2025: Exploring applications of eye-tracking methodology in applied linguistics research: Bridging theory and practice’, a British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL)-funded workshop which addressed a significant researcher development need by providing initial training on the use of eye-tracking technology in applied linguistics. Despite its potential, many postgraduate researchers and early career researchers often lack access to comprehensive training in this area. This workshop aimed to address this gap by offering foundational knowledge and practical skills that are not readily available at most universities.
The workshop provided initial training and deepened participants' understanding of eye tracking methodologies from an applied linguistics perspective. Additionally, the event featured a reflective brainstorming session, encouraging participants to explore innovative ways to integrate eye tracking into their research. This session fostered creativity and served as a valuable networking opportunity, allowing researchers to articulate their projects concisely and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Exploring eye-tracking: expert insights and demonstration
The day started with purposeful networking over tea and coffee. This was followed by an interactive hybrid session with two experts, Professor Adrea Revesz (UCL) and Associate Professor Ana Pellicer-Sanchez (UCL), in which they provided foundational introductory knowledge about eye-tracking methodology, its potential uses and key considerations. This was followed by a networking lunch before the afternoon sessions. In the afternoon, participants joined reflective discussions with the two eye-tracking experts, as well as a hands-on eye-tracking experiment demonstration with Dr Chris Norton, the Technical Research Assistant of Language@Leeds at the University of Leeds. To wrap up the day, closing remarks were given by Professor Diane Pecorari, the Deputy Head of School of the School of Education, highlighting the value of workshops of this nature for the applied linguist community.
Eleven applied linguists at different career stages and from over eight different UK-based institutions joined the workshop in person. The hybrid morning session attracted a further 25 participants from UK institutions and abroad. After the workshop, participants were offered an opportunity to provide feedback. Below are some reflections that early career researchers shared with us:
The BAAL Researcher Development Workshop 2025 on the eye-tracking methodology proved to be an invaluable experience for an early career researcher like myself. While eye-tracking is gaining traction in adoption within applied linguistics, the complexity of the methodology can deter those without prior experience from pursuing related research, even at the conceptualisation stage. This workshop effectively addressed these challenges through a carefully structured programme comprising three key segments. I definitely came away from the workshop with a lot more confidence in using eye-tracking for my own research and stronger engagement with a network of researchers sharing common interests. All these have not been possible without the thoughtful planning and flawless implementation of the organisers, for which we truly appreciate. I’m already excited to see what future BAAL workshops will bring!
Thank you so much for organizing this wonderful event... I truly appreciate the time, effort, and dedication that went into planning, coordinating, and bringing this event to life. It’s clear how much care and hard work you’ve invested in making it such a success. The workshop went far beyond my expectations. The two guest speakers gave insightful and detailed introductions to eye-tracking and its applications in applied linguistics. Even more importantly, they were incredibly open and generous with their knowledge, creating a warm and engaging environment. The demonstration session was also eye opening. It was exciting to gain hands on experience with the latest developments in eye-tracking technology. Once again, thank you for making this event possible. It was not only an enriching academic experience but also showcasing how far curiosity and collaboration can lead us to.
This event was made possible with the help of an external grant from BAAL, secured by Gergely Kajos, a second year PhD student in the School of Education. The workshop would not have been possible without the support from Dr Thomas Hammond, a lecturer in the School of Education and Xuechun Huang, a third year PhD student in the School of Education.
Postgraduate reserchers are able to access loans, awards, grants and scholarships to support their work. Find out more from the University of Leeds about how postgraduate researchers can access these grants and funding here.
