Dimitrinka Atanasova

I draw on theories and methods from applied linguistics and media and communication studies. I research health(care) and science communication (particularly around obesity, mental health, climate change and sustainability) and news journalism. I am especially interested in (1) the communication of health and science topics in various media (e.g. through culturally-embedded frames, metaphors, news values) and (2) people’s communicative practices around health and science topics using various media (and how they may vary across cultures). I am increasingly interested in the growing influence of positive psychology in linguistics (e.g. in Critical Discourse Analysis), health and science communication (e.g. through the emphasis on wellness and recovery in mental health) and news journalism (e.g. moving away from a ‘disease model of the world’ through constructive reporting).

Prior to Lancaster, I worked as a Media Analyst and Media Consultant at a media analysis and technology company leading mostly pharma and technology projects; held Research Associate positions at Queen Mary, University of London (School of Languages, Linguistics & Film), University of Sheffield (Information School) and University of Leicester (School of Media, Communication & Sociology); and taught on undergraduate and postgraduate modules and supervised MA dissertations as an Associate Lecturer at University of Leicester (School of Media, Communication & Sociology).