Abu Saleh Mohammad Rafi, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. He holds a Visiting Research Fellowship at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, and is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Australia, contributing to the Australian Research Council–funded national project Starting Young: Early Years Language Learning in Australia.
Dr Rafi’s research focuses on multilingualism, translanguaging pedagogies, language policy, and critical AI studies. He has published extensively in leading international journals in applied linguistics, including Applied Linguistics (Oxford University Press), English Today (Cambridge University Press), ELT Journal (Oxford University Press), Applied Linguistics Review, International Journal of Educational Development, International Journal of Multilingualism, Language, Identity & Education, Teaching in Higher Education, Classroom Discourse, and Critical Inquiry in Language Studies. His work also appears in invited chapters in edited volumes published by Springer, Routledge, and Vernon Press, and he co-edited the 2023 Critical Inquiry in Language Studies special issue.
In 2024, Dr Rafi convened the International Conference on the Trans‑Phenomenon in Language, Literature, and Culture, hosted by the Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. Later that year, he was recognized as the Rising Scholar at Language Metamorphosis: Implications for Language Education in Decolonial Contexts (LMLEDC), organized by the BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) at BRAC University, Bangladesh (28–30 November 2024). In 2025, he was invited by the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) to serve as Project Evaluator for the national Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project (20–22 May). Subsequently, he contributed to the International Postgraduate & Early-Career Researchers in Applied Linguistics Symposium (IPEALS 2025) as an Invited Mentor and Discussant, supporting emerging voices in applied linguistics in a virtual symposium organized by the Malaysian Association of Applied Linguistics (21 December 2025). He was also an Invited Panel Speaker at the International Conference on Challenges and Trends in Arts and Social Sciences (ICCTASS 2025), hosted by the American International University–Bangladesh (12 December 2025), where he shared insights on AI ethics, education, and legal frameworks for building a sustainable future.
Dr Rafi has previously delivered keynote addresses at the 10th and 11th International Conferences on Language and Literacy Education at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, and at the International Conference on Translation and Intercultural Education (Wuhan Forum) at China Three Gorges University. He has given invited talks at institutions including McGill University (Canada), James Cook University (Australia), University of Groningen (Netherlands), UMT University (Pakistan), Buriram Rajabhat University (Thailand), and over fifteen other universities across the Global South and North. He offered a session at the 2025 DAAD Winter School and is scheduled to deliver a keynote at the Online International Conference on Second Language Writing at Tlemcen University, Algeria, on 11–12 February 2026.
PhD (Specialisations: Linguistics, Educational Linguistics, Applied Linguistics)
James Cook University, Australia
MA (Specialisation: Sociolinguistics)
Liverpool Hope University, United Kingdom
MA (Specialisations: Literature, Cultural Studies)
Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
BA, English
Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
Translanguaging, Applied Linguistics, Educational Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Critical Race Theory, Multicultural Education
Awards and Grants:
1.College of Arts, Society and Education MRF Competitive Funding Award
2.James Cook University Postgraduate Research Scholarship
3.Keith and Dorothy Mackay Travelling Scholarship
4.Georgetown Roundtable-2020 Accommodation grant
5.University of New England International Postgraduate Research Award (IPRA)
6.Liverpool Hope University International Postgraduate Award
Service to profession:
Current journal roles: Guest editor/ peer reviewer
1.Guest editor: Critical Inquiry in Language Studies
2.Foreign Language Annals (FLA)
3.International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
4.The Journal of Literacy Research (JLR)
5.Linguistics and Literature Review
6.Discourse, Context & Media
7.Qeios
8.TESOL Journal
9.Languages
10.Language, Identity & Education
11.Crossings
Professional involvement and leadership:
1.Conference committee member, UNE Postgraduate Conference-2020: Intersection of Knowledge.
2.International Advisory Member, UNE Life (https://www.unelife.com.au/useful/student-advisory-committee)
3.HDR Representative, Academic Board, University of New England.
4.Founding President, Bangladeshi Student Association of UNE (BSAUNE)
5.Chair, English Language, Honours Conference, 25-26 April 2016, Liverpool Hope University.
6.Member, Curriculum co-design process, The English Language undergraduate programme,Liverpool Hope University, September 23, 2015.
7.Member, Meeting of Staff/Student Liaison Committee, Liverpool Hope University.October 2015 to October 2016.
Memberships:
1.American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
2.LASSO, the Linguistic Association of the Southwest
3.National Association for Bilingual Education, Houston, USA
4.American Educational Research Association (AERA)
5.Australian Applied Linguistics Association
6.TESOL International Association
7.Society for Research into Higher Education, UK
1.Rafi, A.S.M. (2022, November 22). ‘এরা কী English department’
এ পড়ে ! কিছুইতো পারে না। Traditional ELT approaches versus translanguaging pedagogies: Student opinions. East West University.
2.Rafi, A.S.M. (2022, August 15). Blending Translanguaging and CLIL: Pedagogical Benefits and Ideological Challenges, UMT, Pakistan.
3.Rafi, A.S.M. (2022, August 15). Blending Translanguaging and CLIL: Pedagogical Benefits and Ideological Challenges in an Anthropology Classroom. Language and Culture Research Centre, James Cook University, Australia.
4.Rafi, A. S. M. (2020, October 30). Webinar keynote: Introducing Translanguaging as a Pedagogical Approach in Bangladeshi Education” hosted by the Department of English, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). (https://bup.edu.bd/news/webinar-on-introducing-translanguaging-as-a-pedagogical-approach-in-bangladeshi-education-arranged-by-the-department-of-english-bup/show).
5.Rafi, A. S. M. (2021, February 27). Keynote: Translanguaging Approaches to Education and Research in the International Conference on Research in Language Education, organized by the International Society of Teachers, Administrators and Researchers- an organization accredited by the Department of Education, Republic of the Philippines.
6.Rafi, A. S. M. (2021, April 5). Webinar Talk: Applying to M.A. and Ph.D. Programs in Australia. Hosted by Writer’s Block, Jagannath University, Dhaka.
7.Rafi, A. S. M. (2021, April 8). Webinar Talk: Teaching Bangladeshi students in the 21st century: What translanguaging can offer? Hosted by the Department of English, Stamford University, Bangladesh. https://fintechbd.com/webinar-series-held-at-stamford-university-bangladesh/
8.Rafi, A. S. M. (2021, May 1). Webinar Talk: Making English studies relevant to Bangladeshi students: Promises from translanguaging classrooms. Hosted by the Department of English, American International University of Bangladesh (AIUB), Bangladesh. https://www.aiub.edu/webinar-in-english-department-on-making-english-studies-relevant-to-bangladeshi-students-promises-from-a-translanguaging-classroom
9.Rafi, A. S. M. (2021, September 7). Webinar Talk: Beauty Secrets and Translanguaging Pedagogies: A Research Story. Hosted by the Center for Language Studies (CLS), University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. https://ulab.edu.bd/2021/09/07/beauty-secrets-and-translanguaging-pedagogies-a-research-story-3
10.Rafi, A. S. M. (2023, May). Forum Talk: Translanguaging pedagogies in multilingual universities. Global Education and Training Institute, India. https://www.getilearn.org/
Invited Symposiums:
1.Rafi, A.S.M. (2022, November). Multilingualism of inclusive education. Presentation in the panel (English Language Teacher Education and Sustainable Development: Prospects for Primary to Higher Secondary Education in Bangladesh) organised by Professor Shaila Sultana (University of Dhaka) at the 10th BELTA (Hybrid) International Conference 2022, Sustainable Approaches to English Language Education in a Changing World.
2.Rafi, A.S.M. (2022, December). Medium of instruction policy implementations, disruptions and future possibilities in Bangladeshi higher education: A translanguaging perspective. Presentation in the panel organised by Dr Ibrar Bhatt (Queen’s University Belfast) at the SRHE Conference 2022, Mobilities in Higher Education.
Research project:
Rafi, A. S. M. (2022). Pedagogical benefits, ideological and
practical challenges and implementational spaces of a translanguaging education
Policy: the case of Bangladeshi higher education. PhD Thesis, James Cook
University. https://doi.org/10.25903/k2bf%2D7s18
See more here: https://www.researchgate.net/project/Pedagogical-Benefits-Ideological-and-Practical-Challenges-and-Implementational-Spaces-of-a-Translanguaging-Education-Policy-The-Case-of-Bangladeshi-Higher-Education
Applied/Educational Linguistics publications in top-tier journals and edited collections
1.Rafi, A.S.M. (2023). Students’ Uptake of Translanguaging Pedagogies and Translanguaging-Oriented Assessment in an ELT Classroom at a Bangladeshi University. In Khan, R., Bashir, A., Basu, B.L., Uddin, M.E. (eds) Local Research and Glocal Perspectives in English Language Teaching. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6458-9_3
2.Rafi, A.S.M., & Morgan, A.M (2022-a). Blending translanguaging and CLIL: Pedagogical benefits and ideological challenges in a Bangladeshi classroom. Critical Inquiry in Language Studies (Q-1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15427587.2022.2090361
3.Rafi, A.S.M., & Morgan, A.M. (2022-b). Translanguaging as a transformative act in a reading classroom: Perspectives from a Bangladeshi private university. Journal of Language, Identity & Education (Q-1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15348458.2021.2004894
4..Rafi, A.S.M, & Morgan, A.M. (2022-c). Translanguaging and power in academic writing discourse: The case of a Bangladeshi university. Classroom Discourse (Q-1). https://doi.org/10.1080/19463014.2022.2046621
5.Rafi, A.S.M., & Morgan, A.M. (in 2022-d). A pedagogical perspective on the connection between translingual practices and transcultural dispositions in an Anthropology classroom in Bangladesh. International Journal of Multilingualism (Q-1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2022.2026360
6.Rafi, A.S.M. & Morgan, A.M. (in 2022-e). Linguistic ecology of Bangladeshi higher education: a translanguaging perspective. Teaching in Higher Education. 27(4), 512–529(Q-1).https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2022.2045579
7.Rafi, A.S.M. & Morgan, A.M. (2021). Translanguaging and academic writing in English-only classrooms: Possibilities and challenges in English-only classroom. In W. Ordeman (Ed.), Creating a Transnational Space in First Year Writing Classroom (pp. 17–40). Vernon Press.
8.Rafi, A.S.M. (2020, December). Shortcomings of validating translanguaging without pedagogic focus in bilingual classroom. TESOL Bilingual-Multilingual Education Interest Section (B-MEIS). http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4539753
Literature and Cultural Studies publications
9.Rafi, A. S. M. (2012). The “Lost Generation” Now and Then: An Analysis of Lady Brett Ashley in The Sun Also Rises in Conjunction with “Facebook” Case-Studies. Harvest: Jahangirnagar University Studies in Language and Literature, 27, 22-42.
10.Rafi, A. S. M. (2011). The Recent Revolution on Celluloid: A Change in the Socio-Cultural Environment. Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Science, 20, 1-10.
11.Rafi, A. S. M. (2012). The comparative nature in comparative Literature: A case study of some major Bengali literary works in conjunction with other national literatures. Bangladesh Research Foundation Journal, 1, 89.
12.Rafi, A. S. M. (2015). ‘Gender-Neutrality’ Against ‘Gender Equality:’ Evading the Anti-feminist Backlash. GSTF Journal on Education (JEd), 3(1).
13.Sattar, S., & Rafi, A. S. M. (2014). In Quest of “Answers” in the Colonial Sands: A Comparative Study of Waliullah and Camus’ “Absurd” Protagonists. Journal of Literature and Art Studies, 4(11), 867-871.
14.Sattar, S., & Rafi, A. S. M. (2015). The Cyborg Entity in Gibson’s Neuromancer: An Idealistic “Cyborg Manifesto?” Journal of Literature and Art Studies, 5(11), 959-969.
Popular publications
15.Opinion piece: Nurturing the dynamism of multilingual students (https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/perspective/news/nurturing-the-dynamism-multilingual-students-1768045)
16.Blog post: The languages of learning (https://blog.une.edu.au/hasse/2019/06/21/the-languages-of-learning/)
17.Interview: Mind your English pronunciation ( https://en.somoynews.tv/news/2022-10- 02/mind-your-english- pronunciation?fbclid=IwAR1xVUKFxxuaE8gL4zygVt_yTIDF7S2Uymo0jmqzKD1_g0 ALimjeCYGHtGc)
1.Rafi, A. S. M. (2021, April). Translanguaging for a learner-centred classroom: Perspectives from a Bangladeshi public university. Presentation at the 50th Annual National Association of Bilingual Education Conference, Houston, Texas.
2.Rafi, A. S. M. (2021, March). Translanguaging, power and learner’s agency in academic writing. Presentation at the American Association of Applied Linguistics Conference.
3.Rafi, A. S. M. (2020, September). Translanguaging disruptions in English literature classroom: Perspectives from a Bangladeshi public university. Presentation at the LASSO 49th Virtual Annual Meeting.
4.Rafi, A. S. M. (2020, March). Translanguaging in the artificial monoculture: Perspectives from a Bangladeshi private university. Georgetown University Roundtable- 2020. Washington D.C., USA.
5.Rafi, A. S. M. (2019, January). Translanguaging in monocultural English departments: Possibilities and challenges. UNE Postgraduate Conference, Intersections of Knowledge, University of New England, Australia.
6.Rafi, A. S. M. (2019, November). The disparity of English in language education policy: A case study of conflicting attitudes among three streams of students in Bangladesh. Applied Linguistics Association of Australia (ALAA) Conference, Applied linguistics and language teaching: Making connections, Curtin University, Australia.
7.Rafi, A. S. M. (2019, November). Disrupting the artificial monoculture of English departments in the international context through translanguaging pedagogies: Possibilities and challenges. A(a)ll around the world: International perspectives on research and practice in academic language and learning, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia.