Shelley Staples | Corpus Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Shelley Staples | Corpus Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Arizona, United States

Summary:

Dr. Shelley Staples is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Arizona and an affiliate faculty member in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT). With over two decades of experience in applied linguistics, her work spans research, teaching, and leadership roles in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), corpus linguistics, TESOL, and technology in language learning. Dr. Staples has received numerous accolades for her impactful research, including being shortlisted for International Language Testing Awards. Her pioneering work focuses on language use in academic, healthcare, and high-stakes assessment contexts, with significant contributions to corpus-based analyses of language.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education:

  • 2014: Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics (with honors), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
    • Dissertation: Linguistic Characteristics of International and U.S. Nurse Discourse
    • Advisors: Dr. Douglas Biber and Dr. Randi Reppen
  • 2002: M.A. in English, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
    • Thesis: The 1913 Armory Show
    • Advisor: Dr. Alan Howard
  • 1996: B.A. in English (with honors and high distinction), University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Professional Experience:

Dr. Shelley Staples has held a variety of academic and leadership positions at renowned institutions throughout her career. Since 2024, she has been a Professor in the Department of English and an Affiliate Faculty member in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT) at the University of Arizona. Prior to this role, she served as an Associate Professor at the same institution from 2017 to 2024, during which she directed the Second Language Writing Program from 2019 to 2022. From 2014 to 2016, Dr. Staples was an Assistant Professor at Purdue University in the Department of English, where she was also an Affiliate Faculty member of the Interdisciplinary Program in Linguistics. Her earlier career includes roles as a Graduate Assistant and Instructor at Northern Arizona University (2009–2014) and as a Lecturer and Director of English for Academic Purposes at the University of Virginia (2001–2009), where she oversaw TESOL programs and supervised graduate instructors. In addition, she has extensive experience in ESL instruction and curriculum development, with earlier positions in New York and Virginia.

Research Interests:

  • Corpus linguistics and register analysis
  • English for Specific Purposes (ESP), including healthcare and academic discourse
  • High-stakes language testing and assessment validity
  • TESOL methods, including grammar, pronunciation, and technology integration
  • Second language writing and speaking performance across genres

Selected Awards and Honors:

  • 2020 & 2019: Shortlisted for International Language Testing Awards for Best Articles (2018, 2017)
  • 2019-2023: Center for University Educational Scholarship Distinguished Fellow, University of Arizona
  • 2017: Honorable Mention for Best Article of the Year, Journal of Second Language Writing
  • 2016: Nominated for the AAAL First Book Award
  • 2014: American Association of Applied Linguistics Graduate Student Award

Author Metrics:

Dr. Staples has authored or co-authored multiple high-impact journal articles and books. Her work has gained recognition in journals such as Language Testing, Modern Language Journal, and Journal of Second Language Writing. Her research, particularly in corpus linguistics, is widely cited in applied linguistics and language assessment.

Top Noted Publication:

Predicting patterns of grammatical complexity across language exam task types and proficiency levels

  • Authors: D. Biber, B. Gray, S. Staples
    Journal: Applied Linguistics, 37(5), 639–668 (2016)
    Citations: 356
    This study examines patterns of grammatical complexity in language exams, considering various task types and proficiency levels, providing insights into linguistic demands across contexts.

Academic writing development at the university level: Phrasal and clausal complexity across level of study, discipline, and genre

  • Authors: S. Staples, J. Egbert, D. Biber, B. Gray
    Journal: Written Communication, 33(2), 149–183 (2016)
    Citations: 291
    This paper explores the development of academic writing at the university level by analyzing complexity in phrasal and clausal structures across disciplines and genres.

Formulaic sequences and EAP writing development: Lexical bundles in the TOEFL iBT writing section

  • Authors: S. Staples, J. Egbert, D. Biber, A. McClair
    Journal: Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 12(3), 214–225 (2013)
    Citations: 282
    The study investigates the role of formulaic sequences in EAP (English for Academic Purposes) writing development, focusing on lexical bundles in TOEFL iBT writing.

Understanding first-year L2 writing: A lexico-grammatical analysis across L1s, genres, and language ratings

  • Authors: S. Staples, R. Reppen
    Journal: Journal of Second Language Writing, 32, 17–35 (2016)
    Citations: 194
    This research provides a detailed analysis of first-year L2 (second-language) writing by exploring lexico-grammatical features across native languages, genres, and language proficiency ratings.

Investigating Grammatical Complexity in L2 English Writing Research: Linguistic Description versus Predictive Measurement*

  • Authors: D. Biber, B. Gray, S. Staples, J. Egbert
    Source: The Register-Functional Approach to Grammatical Complexity, 432–457 (2021)
    Citations: 175
    This paper examines grammatical complexity in L2 English writing, contrasting traditional linguistic descriptions with predictive measurement approaches.

Conclusion:

Dr. Shelley Staples is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award in corpus linguistics. Her pioneering research in applied linguistics, language testing, and academic writing has not only advanced theoretical understanding but also addressed practical challenges in diverse contexts like healthcare and education. With her prolific academic output, leadership roles, and interdisciplinary focus, she exemplifies the qualities of an innovative and impactful researcher.

While there is potential to enhance her global reach and engagement in large-scale projects, her existing contributions firmly position her as a leader in her field. Dr. Staples’s record of impactful research, teaching, and service makes her a strong contender for this prestigious award.