Unveiling the Reveal: The Commission Unveils Their Findings
Professor Maria Iliescu, a distinguished scholar in the field of foreign language didactics, has embarked on a new chapter in her academic career. In 2020, she accepted a professorship at the University of Graz, following a successful tenure at the University of Innsbruck where she spent nearly two decades.
Her journey began in 1997 when she started a postdoctoral position at the University of Innsbruck, having completed her doctoral studies there. The seeds of her academic success were sown during an English course at Cambridge University in 1996, where she met a law professor who later informed her about the position at Innsbruck.
Throughout her time at the University of Innsbruck, mentoring and supporting young scientists, as well as interacting with students in teaching, were her most memorable professional experiences. These experiences led to fond memories, such as the appreciation received at her farewell party from colleagues who were former students or student assistants.
Professor Iliescu's academic journey was marked by numerous achievements. She collaborated with other doctoral students during her studies and presented her doctoral project to a professor and his team at a German university, which sharpened her thoughts and counterarguments. She also participated in the European Research Conference (EURESCO) of the European Science Foundation (ESF) in Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy, in 1998, where she met international language acquisition experts like John Schumann and Wolfgang Klein.
In 2006, Professor Iliescu obtained a habilitation and became a professor for foreign language didactics at the newly founded Institute for Subject Didactics of the Faculty of Teacher Education. She continued working at the University of Innsbruck until 2020, when she decided to pursue new opportunities.
As she embarks on this new phase, Professor Iliescu's future goal is to establish an interdisciplinary research institute for school foreign language acquisition and evidence-based foreign language teaching. She advocates for sufficient and sustainable funding for young scientists and a reasonable ratio of temporary and permanent positions at the university.
In her personal life, Professor Iliescu has always been inspired by the works of Judith Wolfsberger, particularly her book "frei geschrieben". She also recommends the movie "Freedom Writers" by Richard LaGravenese. One dream she has yet to fulfil is a conversation with neurolinguist Angela Friederich.
Before starting her doctoral studies, Professor Iliescu had several experiences abroad, including three years as an Austrian lecturer at the University of Seville in Spain. Her experiences abroad have enriched her perspective and fueled her passion for academic pursuits.
Despite her departure from the University of Innsbruck, Professor Iliescu remains connected to the university through cooperation with former colleagues, supervision of a few doctoral students, and friendships developed over time. She looks forward to continuing her enriching partnership and finding opportunities for personal growth in her new role at the University of Graz.
- Professor Maria Iliescu's future goal involves establishing an interdisciplinary research institute for school foreign language acquisition and evidence-based foreign language teaching, which aligns with the wider context of education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
- In her personal life, Professor Iliescu draws inspiration from works like Judith Wolfsberger's book "frei geschrieben" and the movie "Freedom Writers," emphasizing her commitment to learning and continuous personal growth.
