Dr Shirley Lawes is an education researcher, consultant and university teacher, specialising in teacher education and modern foreign languages teaching and learning at the University College London Institute of Education. She has published widely on education policy, teacher education and the teaching of modern foreign languages in both English and French, and is currently writing a book on culture in language teaching.

Over a long career in education, Shirley was a teacher trainer for many years and also taught in vocational, secondary and higher education institutions. She has been involved in a number of curriculum development initiatives as well as a variety of national and international research projects. She was a member of the Ministerial Steering Group on Modern Languages in 2012 and of the ALCAB ( A Level Content Advisory Board)  for Modern Foreign Languages in 2014. She is also a member of the University Council for Modern Languages executive committee.

Shirley is currently working on a curriculum development project with the British Film Institute on the use of short film in foreign language teaching. Shirley is also a Chevalier dans l’ordre des Palmes Académiques awarded by the French Ministry of Education for her contribution to the promotion of the French language and culture.