Inaugural lecture by Professor Meredith Marra

Description

For the past two decades, Professor Meredith Marra has researched effective communication in New Zealand workplaces using recordings of naturally-occurring talk. A guiding principle has been to expose taken for granted assumptions about ‘how things are done around here’ to help newcomers and marginalised group members find their place at work.

In this lecture, Professor Marra will use real life examples to describe pass-the-parcel decision making, the importance of chocolate fish, and the relevance of talking in lifts—each idea illustrating how language research can contribute to empowerment.