Kelly Mayjonade-Christy

I’m an Assistant Professor in French Studies and I also serve as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Chair for the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (SMLC). I’m deeply committed to inclusive education and work to design and deliver French language and culture modules, mentor UG & PG students and colleagues, and collaborate across departments to foster a diverse and supportive learning environment. I also support and manage the SMLC student networks, helping our students to build community and confidence. This year, I will be leading the delivery of the bespoke Thrive programme Link opens in a new windowwithin the SMLC in collaboration with my colleagues Pierre and Orla.

Administrative Roles

• SMLC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ChairLink opens in a new window
• Faculty of Arts Equality and Inclusion Forum MemberLink opens in a new window
• University Social Inclusion Staff MemberLink opens in a new window
• SMLC Education Committee Member
• Admission Support (Open Days and Offer Holder Days)
• Academic Support (Personal Tutor)
• External Examiner (Russell Group University)

Teaching and Supervision

• FR202 - Modern French Language Post Beginners Accelerated - Subject LeaderLink opens in a new window

Since 2015, I have been delivering French language instruction at undergraduate levels, focusing particularly on Grammar, Translation, and Academic Writing. I have coordinated the Fr101 French Language module between 2018 and 2023 (and occasionally in 2024-25). I have also been coordinating the French Ab Initio Pathway in collaboration with the Language Centre since 2020. My pedagogical practice includes the design and integration of digital learning tools, such as online grammar exercises developed through QuestionMark Perception, alongside reading and listening comprehension resources aimed at reinforcing linguistic competence. I maintain an active collaboration with the Language Centre and taught French to MBA, MIM, and MINT beginner cohorts between 2016 and 2018. From 2014 to 2016, I held the post of lectrice, responsible for oral language modules across first-, second-, and fourth-year levels, and contributed to assessment through the marking of 3rdYear Abroad essays.

I was the SMLC Director of the Year Abroad between 2022-2025 until I took up the chairing of the EDI Forum within the School.

I’ve played a key role in outreach and widening participation initiatives, including the ShareAmi programmeLink opens in a new window that connected senior citizens in France with our language students during the Covid pandemic (which received nationalLink opens in a new window, FrenchLink opens in a new window and international press coverageLink opens in a new window), as well as the “Tell Us A Story” project, which connects language students with school pupils through storytelling. I regularly present at national conferences on topics such as decolonising the curriculum, residence abroad and inclusive language pedagogy.

Projects

• IATL - Coordinator for ‘Tell us A Story’ (Year Abroad - WPN Schools) - 2020-presentLink opens in a new window
• IATL - Designer of the pedagogical materials for 'Creating targeted online e-learning materials to facilitate the movement between independent learning and face to face study in French language modules' - 2016Link opens in a new window

Research & Papers for Conferences

• UK Lingua Conference – University of Durham – April 2023 – Paper: ‘Widening participation and Integration: the Tell Us a Story project, connecting language students with school pupils through storytelling’
• Association of University Language Communities’ (AULC) 24^th Annual Conference – University of Edinburgh – 27-28^th of April 2023 – Paper: ‘Decolonising the curriculum in French language teaching’ - Ariane Demeure-Ahearne, Kelly Mayjonade-Christy & Margaux Whiskin
• Symposium: Questioning Language Teaching Orthodoxy in Higher Education – University of Leeds – 28^th of June 2023 – Paper: ‘Decolonising the curriculum in French language teaching’ - Ariane Demeure-Ahearne, Kelly Mayjonade-Christy & Margaux Whiskin

• Residence Abroad Conference: 'The Residence Abroad, exploring new horizons' - University of Portsmouth - 7th of September 2023 - Paper: 'Telling Stories, Making Connections and WP Outreach' - Cathy Hampton, Kelly Mayjonade-Christy & Miriam Schwiening (Centre for Applied Linguistics)

Poster: From language student to language teacher: training outbound language assistants - Cathy Hampton, Kelly Mayjonade-Christy & Miriam Schwiening (Centre for Applied Linguistics)

• Cultivate Workshop 2023-24 - Open Access Series - University of Warwick - 14th of May 2024 - Zip Whizz Bang: A workshop on bringing unconventional sources to theLink opens in a new window classroomLink opens in a new window - Ariane-Demeure-Ahearne, Kelly Mayjonade-Christy & Margaux Whiskin
• FLEUR Conference 2025 - Online - September 2025 - Workshop: « Initier les apprenant·es débutant·es à la langue inclusive en FLE : pour une pédagogie de l’équité et de la citoyenneté »Link opens in a new window - Melanie Bhend (Nottingham University), Dominique Carlini-Versini (Durham University), Géraldine Crahay (Durham University), Chloé Laborde (University of Bristol) & Kelly Mayjonade-Christy (University of Warwick)

Qualifications & Fellowships

• MA in History (Paris-Sorbonne)
• WIHEA Fellowship (2021-2024) - AlumniLink opens in a new window