Dr. Shahila Zafar

Contact Info
Dr. Shahila Zafar
Department of English
School of Languges, Literature and Culture Central University of Pubjab
Dr. Shahila Zafar

Professor

Department of English

School of Languages, Literature and Culture

Qualification

PhD (Applied Linguistics): Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

MPhil (English): Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

MA (English): Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): Cambridge University, UK & The British Council, India

PGCTE (Post Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of English): English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad

Experience

Professor: Department of English, Central University of Punjab- January 2023- Present

Associate Professor:  Department of English, Central University of Punjab- January 2020- January 2023

Assistant Professor: Department of English, Central University of Punjab- December 2015 - January 2020

Academic Visitor: School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, UK- June 2018-July 2018                     

Visiting Professor: Georg August University, Gottingen, Germany- May 2016 - June 2016                   

Assistant Professor (Sr.): Department of English, VIT University, Vellore,  Tamil Nadu, India-September 2012 - December 2015          

Assistant Professor: Department of English, VIT University, Vellore,  Tamil Nadu, India- June 2007 - August 2012

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant: Five College Center for the Study of World Languages, Uni. of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA- September 2006 - May 2007

Research Area

Applied Linguistics

Research Interests

Applied Linguistics: Discourse Analysis; Stylistics; English Language Learning and Teaching

Research Grants/Projects
  • RSM (Research Seed Money) Grant “An Assessment of Academic Writing Needs of Tertiary Level Students in Punjab”, Role: Principal Investigator, Grant Amount:  Rs. 1,50,000, 2021-23
  • The British Council, India Grant, “An Empirical Study on the Efficacy of Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approach on Technical Writing Skills”, Role: Principal Investigator, Grant Amount:  Rs. 1,94,575, 2016-17
  • Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) Grant, “Motivation to learn English as a Second Language and Language Learning Strategies Used by the Rural Population of India”, Role: Principal Investigator, Grant Amount:  Rs. 10,00,000, 2013-15
Professional Affiliation
  • Linguistic Society of India
  • ELTAI (English Language Teachers’ Association of India)
  • European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing (EATAW)
  • Asia TEFL
  • MELUS-MELLOW (The Society for the Multi-Ethnic Literature of the World)
  • Indian Association of American Studies 
Professional Recognition/Awards/Scholarships
  • Fulbright Fellow at Fulbright Foundation’s Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship (FLTA) program at Five College Center for the Study of World Languages, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2006-2007.
  • Best Teacher Award-2023, at the 14th Foundation Day of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.
  • Best Teacher Award-2020, at the 11th Foundation Day of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.
  • Best Teacher Award-2018, at the 9th Foundation Day of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.
  • Award for Excellence in Research (Social Sciences and Humanities)-2018, at the 9th Foundation Day of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 2018.
  • English Language Teaching Research Partnership (ELTReP) Award, India (2015-16) by the British Council, for the research grant of INR 1,94,575 for ‘An Empirical Study on the Efficacy of Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approach on Technical Writing Skills’.
  • Best Paper Award for ‘Teachers’ Use of Motivational Strategies in Tertiary Level ESL Classrooms’ at the International Conference on Trends and Innovations in Language Teaching at Sathyabhama University, Chennai on November 14-15, 2014.
  • Research Awards for research publications for 2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014 at VIT University, Vellore.
Publications

Research Articles

  1. Reghunath, L.G., & Zafar, S. (2023). ‘Corpus-Assisted Frame Analysis of Climate Change Editorials in Indian English Language Newspapers’. Journal of Climate Change, 9(3), 55 – 63.
  2. Bageshwar, B.R. & Zafar, S. (2023). Beyond laughter and smiles: analytical paradigms in social media COVID-19 humour studies. The European Journal of Humour Research, 11(1), 95-116.
  3. Feleciya, J.N. & Zafar, S. (2022). Language Learning Strategies Used by Indian University Students from Rural Backgrounds, International Journal of Educational Sciences, 39, 98-95.
  4. Zafar, S. (2021). The Blurred Dichotomy of Good and Evil: Community as a Chorus of Moral Voices in Toni Morrison's Sula, Literary Voice, 13(1), 32-36.
  5. Garg, G., & Zafar, S. (2020). Rape as a Tool of Dominance: An Analysis of Susan Norris’s Rescuing Hope: A Story of Sex Trafficking in America, IUP Journal of English Studies, 15(4), 85–90.
  6. Saranraj, L., & Zafar, S. (2020). The Effect of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in L2 Learning amongst Engineering College Students: An Investigation, Gedrag & Organisatie Review, 33(2), 1779-1786.
  7. Lone, S.A., & Zafar, S. (2019).  Manipulation of Mechanisms of Surveillance and Control: A Critical Analysis of Veronica Ruth’s Divergent Trilogy, Literary Endeavour, 10(1), 78-85.
  8. Lone, S.A., & Zafar, S. (2018). Language and Power: A Foucauldian Reading of Lois Lowry’s The Giver. New Academia: An International Journal of English Language, Literature and Literary Theory, 8(2), 43-52.
  9. Garg, G., & Zafar, S. (2018). A Feminist Approach to the Study of Sex Trafficking and Prostitution in Allison Hobbs’s Stealing Candy. IJELLH (International Journal Of English Language, Literature In Humanities), 6(4), 155-162.
  10. Zafar, S., Khan, Z.A., & Meenakshi K. (2017). Extraversion- Introversion Tendencies and their Relationship with ESL Proficiency: A Study of Chinese Students in Vellore, India. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 25(2), 687-704.
  11. Saranraj, L., Zafar, S., & Khan, Z.A. (2016).  Influence of Motivational Factors and Gender Differences on Learning English as a Second Language: A Case of Engineering Students from Rural Background. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 9(44), 1-7.
  12. Feleciya, J.N., & Zafar, S. (2016). The Role of Learning Strategies in Fostering Learner Autonomy: A Conceptual Analysis. LangLit, 2(3), 647-651.
  13. Saranraj, L., Zafar, S., & Khan, Z.A. (2016). Language Learning Strategies–A Reappraisal. International Journal of English: Literature, Language and Skills (IJELLS), 4(4), 134-138.
  14. Saranraj, L., & Zafar, S. (2016). Motivation in second language learning –a retrospect. Galaxy International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, 4(1), 7-13.
  15. Feleciya, J.N., Zafar, S., & Khan, Z.A. (2015). The influence of language learning strategy on language-related employability skills. Asia- Pacific Journal of Research, 1(33), 183-190.
  16. Feleciya, J.N., Zafar, S., & Khan, Z.A. (2015). A Critical Overview of Language Learning Strategy Research and its Future Implications. Scholar Critic, 2(2), 73-82.
  17. Zafar, S., Manjurakar B., Premkumar N., & Khan, Z.A. (2014). Effects of FFCS (Fully Flexible Credit System) on Learning Experience and Academic Performance. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 143 (August 14 2014), 4-7.
  18. Zafar, S., & Sandhu, S.Z. (2014). Resistance through Orality (and Silence) in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, and Dessa Rose. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 22(2), 419-428.
  19. Singh, A.K., Roy R., Zafar, S., & Khan, Z.A. (2014). A Descriptive Analysis of the Relationship between Extraversion-Introversion and Behavior and Lifestyle Patterns among Engineering Students in India. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 7(21), 4606-4611.
  20. Zafar, S., Sandhu, S.Z., & Khan, Z.A. (2013). A Critical Analysis of ‘Developing Intercultural Competence in the Language Classroom’ by Bennett, Bennett and Allen. World Applied Sciences Journal, 21(4), 565-571.
  21. Gupta, A.R., & Zafar, S. (2013). Rural India: The Next Frontier for Social Media Networks. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 2(1), 1-6.
  22. Zafar, S., & Meenakshi, K. (2012). A study on the relationship between extroversion-introversion and risk-taking in the context of second language -acquisition. International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning, 1(1), 33-40.
  23. Zafar, S., & Meenakshi, K. (2012). Review of PhD theses on the role of personality in SLA. English Language and Literature Studies, 2(1), 94-99.
  24. Zafar, S, & Meenakshi, K. (2012). Individual learner differences and second language acquisition: A review. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 3(4), 639- 646.
  25. Zafar, S., Khan, Z.A., & Meenakshi, K. (2011). Critical Review of the MLA Handbook (7th Edition). The Criterion, 2(2), 1-13.
  26. Zafar, S., & Khan, Z.A. (2010). The Images of White Womanhood in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Studies in Literature and Languages, 1(8), 1-4.
  27. Khan, Z.A., Zafar, S., Giri, P., & Priyamveda, K. (2010). Role of Energy Psychology in the treatment of road accident trauma. International Journal of Psychology and Counseling. 2(5), 85-90.
  28. Khan, Z.A., & Zafar, S. (2010). The effect of anxiety on cognitive processing in English language Learning. English Language Teaching, 4(2), 199-209.

Books/ Book Chapters/ Conference Proceedings

  1. Reghunath, L.G. & Zafar, S. (2023). ‘Media Coverage of Climate Change: A Corpus-Assisted Ecolinguistic Study of English Newspaper Reports in India and China’. Post Globalisation Media: Issues, Prospects and Way Forward, Edited by Sayan Dey, Notion Press Publishers, 1-12, (ISBN: 9798890021427)
  2. Bageshwar, B.R., & Zafar, S. (2022). ‘Patterns of Use of Internet-Enabled Teaching Tools in English Language Classrooms in India’, Proceedings of the International Conference on Best Innovative Teaching Strategies, Macmillan Education, Chennai, 131-135, (ISBN: 9354552803)
  3. Garg, G., & Zafar, S. (2022). Lives In the Quagmire of Violation and Violence: Portrayal of Sex Trafficking in Karma by Nancy Deville and Rescuing Hope: A Story of American Teen by Susan Norris. Culture and Literature, Edited by Tawhida Akhter, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle upon Tyne, 59-77, (ISBN: 978-1-5275-8060-2)
  4. Zafar, S., & Khan, Z.A. (2021). Corpus Analysis for Literary Studies: Application and Relevance. Learning How to Learn Using Multimedia. Edited by Deepanjali Mishra & Yuangshan Chuang, Springer Nature, Singapore, 85-93 (ISBN: 978-981-16-1784-3)
  5. Zafar, S., Khan, Z.A. (2017). Words under Scanner: The Limiting of Literary Voices in India. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Art under Scanner: Challenges to Artistic Expression, Edited by Ritu Sood, National Press Associates, New Delhi, 6-8. (ISBN: 978-93-85835-85-8).
  6. Zafar, S., Khan, Z.A. (2017). An empirical study of the impact of project-based learning (PBL) approach on technical writing skills. Explorations: Teaching and Learning English in India, Edited by Brian Tomlinson and Andy Keedwell, The British Council, India, New Delhi, 30-40. (ISBN: 978-0-86355-866-5).
  7. Zafar, S. (2016). The Color Purple as a Neo-Slave Narrative. Alice Walker’s Color Purple: Critical Perspectives, Edited by Devaleena Das, Pencraft International, New Delhi, 92- 101. (ISBN: 978-93-82178-10-1).
  8. Saranraj, L., Khan Z.A. & Zafar, S. (2015). English for employability: A conceptual study on motivation and anxiety. Proceedings of the International Conference on Perspectives of Language, Literature and Theory. Chennai, 451-455. (ISBN 978-81-8124-201-3).
  9. Zafar, S., Feleciya J.N., & Khan Z.A. (2014). Using website building as a project-based learning (PBL) tool to enhance engineering students’ technical writing skills.  Proceedings of the International Conference on Trends and Innovations in Language Teaching. IEEE, Chennai, 186-188. (ISBN-978-1-4799-7238-8).
  10. Saranraj, L., Zafar, S., & Khan Z.A. (2014). Teachers’ use of motivational strategies in tertiary level ESL classrooms.  Proceedings of the International Conference on Trends and Innovations in Language Teaching. IEEE, Chennai, 462-466. (ISBN-978-1-4799-7238-8).
  11. Saranraj, L., Khan Z.A., & Zafar, S. (2014). The role of teaching in enhancing students’ motivation to learn a Second Language. New Trends in English Language Teaching, Edited by M. Usha Rani, Research India Press, New Delhi, 228-230. (ISBN 978-93-5171-023-3).
  12. Zafar, S. & Khan, Z.A. (eds.). (2018). Diverse Facets of the Effects of Facebook on Student Behaviour: Studies on Young Adults in India, CreateSpace (ISBN: 1983733717).
  13. Zafar, S. (2014). Adaptation of Oral-Literary Forms in Toni Morrison’s Novels. Lambert Academic Publishing, (ISBN: 9783843356510).
Research Guidance

PhD

 Awarded:

  1. Geetika Garg: The Commodification of Women’s Bodies through Sex Trafficking as  Depicted in Literature: A Comparative Study of Selected Texts ( February 23, 2021)
  2. Sartaj Ahmad Lone- Totalitarian Orientation in Dystopian Fiction: A Critical Analysis of  Selected Texts (July 2020)

 Ongoing:

  1. Lakshmi Reghunath (SRF): Print Media Representations of Climate Change and Sustainability Discourses in India: An Ecological Discourse Analysis
  2. Anusha Hegde (SRF): Female Subjectivity in Select Dystopian Science Fiction
  3. Bageshree Ramdas Bageshwar (SRF): Analysis of Humorous COVID-19 Discourse on Twitter
  4. Jahnu Deori (JRF): From Earth to Mars and Back: Foregrounding, Defamiliarization and Reader-Response in Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars Trilogy

 MA

  1. 2024- Anjaleena Biju (22maengs03: Mental Health Discourses in Media: A Critical Analysis of the Times of India and Reddit
  2. 2024- Aardra A. Chandran (22maengs08): A Hallidayan Stylistic Analysis of My Story and When I Hit You
  3. 2024- Akshara C. (22maengs15): News Reports of Reuters, TASS, and ANI on Israel- Palestine Conflict: A Faircloughian Critical Discourse Analysis
  4. 2024- Israr Ul Haq (22maengs16): Metaphors and Discourses of Nature in Do Mahi: An Eco-Linguistics Analysis of Selected Pahari Geets
  5. 2024- Rishika Sarkar (22maengs18): A Cover Story: A Grammar of Visual Design Study of Jane Austen Book Covers
  6. 2024- Haripriya J.S. (22maengs32): Gender Representation in School Textbooks: A Comparative Study
  7. 2023- Goutham K.G. (21maengs02): “You are Either with Us or Against Us”, “Ukrainians Do Not Retreat”: A Study of Wartime Speeches of Putin and Zelenskyy Using Appraisal Theory
  8. 2023- Athira K (21maengs05): Victim Blaming in News Media: Critical Discourse Analysis of Reports From The Hindu and The Times of India
  9. 2023- Anjul Gagrai (21maengs10): Grooming and Self-Care Product Advertisements in India: A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis
  10. 2023- Betsy Kuriakose (21maengs19): Linguistic Spaces in Indian Stand-Up Comedy: A Critical Discourse Study on Select Performances of Sumukhi Suresh and Kenny Sebastian
  11. 2022- Shruti Shreya (20maengs05): Cultural Influences in Selected Novels of Chetan Bhagat
  12. 2022- Sachin Rusetra (20maengs06): Environmental Concerns in the selected Texts of Bijal Vachharajani
  13. 2022- Muhammed Subair V. (20maengs07): Fake Rape Cases, False Confessions and Epistemological Injustices in Selected Movies
  14. 2022- Alakananda PK (20maengs16): The Dark Side of Somali and Togo Cultural Practices in Fauziya Kassindja's Do They Hear When You Cry and Soraya Mire's The Girl with Three Legs
  15. 2022- Amisha Arora (20maengs17): Sociolinguistic Aspects of Codeswitching in Hindi Newspaper Advertisements
  16. 2022- Salim Ali U. (20maengs18): Representation of Islam in John Updike’s Terrorist and John Elray’s Khalifah: A Novel of Conquest and Personal Triumph
  17. 2021- Sarath M.N. (19maengs02): Ebonics, alter-egos and addiction: critical discourse analysis on selected songs of Eminem using Fairclough’s three-dimensional approach
  18. 2021- George Cyril (19maengs08): A Critical Discourse Analysis of Ideological Implications and Social Relevance of the Use of Indian English in Shashi Tharoor’s Fiction
  19. 2021- Sreelakshmi N. (19maengs11): A Sociolinguistic Study of Code-Switching in Selected Plays of Mahesh Dattani
  20. 2021- Gokul Biju (19maengs16): Intersectionality and Othering: Female Identity and Relationships in Girl Woman Other by Bernardine Evaristo
  21. 2021- Prabhjapan Kaur (19maengs19): Evaluation of Public Response on Covid 19 as represented by Letters to the Editor, using Appraisal Theory.
  22. 2020- Arolina Bhubaneswari. (18maengs01): A Comparative Study of the use of Sexist Language in Charlotte Gilman’s Herland and Naomi Alderman’s The Power, using Feminist Stylistics
  23. 2020- Yasir Ahmed (18maengs02): Formation and Transformation of Identity in Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist and H.M. Naqvi’s Home Boy
  24. 2020- Ali Asqar M (18maengs03): Patriarchy and Subjugation of Women: A Comparative Study of Taslima Nasrin’s French Lover and Sudha Murty’s Mahashweta
  25. 2020- Roniya Jose. (18maengs09): A Feminist Stylistic Analysis of Anita Nair’s Ladies Coupe and Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence
  26. 2020- Amalroshan P. (18maengs13): An Analysis of Casteism, Conflicts and Awakening in Bama’s Karukku and Perumal Murugan’s Pyre
  27. 2020- Simranpreet Kaur (18maengs18): Liberation of the Confined Self: A Comparative Study of Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence and Dalip Kaur Tiwana’s Twilight- Mark of the Nose Ring
  28. 2020- Krishnendhu S. Nair. (18maengs21): Female Oppression and Construction of Women Identity in K R Meera’s And Slowly Forgetting That Tree and Meena Kandasamy’s When I Hit You: A Feminist Study
  29. 2019- Vrinda P.J. (17maengs02): Survival of the Strategist: Zoomorphism in Indra Sinha’s Animal’s People and Anthropomorphism in Yann Martel’s Life of Pi
  30. 2019- Dhanish Asim (17maengs08): Pragmatic Analysis of Shashi Tharoor’s Selected Speeches, Focusing on Speech Act Theory and Deixis
  31. 2019- Kishan Lal (17maengs10): Inter-relation among Nature, Humans and Animals: An Eco-critical Reading of Selected Films
  32. 2019- Sukhveer Kaur (17maengs16): A Stylistic Study of Mohammed Hanif’s A Case of Exploding Mangoes and Red Birds
  33. 2019- Pallabita Roy Choudhury (17maengs21): “I am always alone. I am never afraid”: Portrayal of Socio-Psychological Alienation in Anita Desai’s Fire on the Mountain and The Artist of Disappearance
  34. 2019- Pius Poulose P. (17maengs23): A Comparative Analysis of the Portrayal of Female Protagonists in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Mistress of Spices and The Palace of Illusions
  35. 2018- Rupal Parashar (16maengs02): The Institution of Marriage as a Framework of Power and Relationships: A Study of Wedding Album by Girish Karnad and Halfway House by Mohan Rakesh
  36. 2018- Fameel P.K. (16maengs07): Representation of Regionalism in Translated Texts of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s   Patthumma’s Goat and O.V. Vijayan’s The Legend of Khasak
  37. 2018- Manjit Kaur (16maengs13): An Analysis of Class and Caste in Mulk Raj Anand’s Novels Untouchable and Coolie
  38. 2017- Amandeep Kaur (15maengs04): A Critical Analysis of Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq and Naga-Mandala
  39. 2017- Manpreet Kaur (15maengs05): A Feminist Reading of Kamala Markandaya’s Nectar in A Sieve
Conference/ Workshops/Seminars Attended

Conference/ Poster Presentations

  1. ‘Discourse Analysis of COVID-19 Humorous Tweets’, 13th Humor Research Conference, 2023, at Texas A& M University, March 31, 2023, (poster presentation with Bageshwari R. Bageshwar).
  2. ‘Media Coverage of Climate Change: A Corpus- Assisted Ecolinguistc Study of English Newspaper Reports in India and China’, at Two-Day International Conference on Borderless Communication: Reimagining Global Mediascapes, Mizoram University, November 17-18, 2022, (with Lakshmi G. Reghunath)
  3. ‘Language of Climate Change: An Overview of Ecolinguistics in the 21st Century’, at ANANT 2022: Interdisciplinary International Conference on “Trends and Future Possibilities in Humanities and Social Sciences”, GIT University, Dehradun, November 10-11, 2022, (with Lakshmi G. Reghunath)
  4. ‘Earth and Moon as Nations: Debating Nationalism in Dystopian Context’, at the International Conference on "Narratives of Nation: Contemporary Literary, Cultural and Theoretical Debates, Department of English, Central University of Punjab, March 24 & 25, 2022, (with Anusha Hegde)
  5. ‘Patterns of Use of Internet-Enabled Teaching Tools in English Language Classrooms in India’ at International Conference on Best Innovative Teaching Strategies (ICON-BITS) 2021, BITS, Pilani, July 29-31, 2021 (with Bageshwari Bageshar)
  6. ‘A feminist stylistic analysis of Anita Nair’s Ladies Coupe and Shashi Deshpande’s That Long Silence’ at 7th Young Linguists' Meeting In Poznań (YLMP 2021), April 23-25, 2021 (Poster presentation with Roniya Jose)
  7. ‘Dystopia and Dehumanisation: A Critical Analysis of Lois Lowry’s The Giver’ at the 18th International Conference of The Society for the Study of Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the World (MELOW),  Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, March 15-17, 2019.
  8. ‘The Depiction of Pornography in Literature: A Study of Corban Addison’s A Walk Across the Sun’ at Two day National Conference on Research in Languages, Literature and Social Sciences: Modern Perspectives and Prospects, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, August 9-10, 2018.
  9. ‘Diasporic Components in Chitra Divakaruni’s The Mistress of Spices’ at the National Seminar on the Diasporic Indian English Literature: Issues and Concerns, DAV College, Bathinda, March 28, 2018.
  10. ‘Use of Project-Based Learning Tools in the Teaching of English at Tertiary Level’ at the National Seminar on Teaching, Learning and Evaluation through Innovative Practices’, Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, January 24-25, 2018.
  11. ‘Relationship between Sex Trafficking and the Use of Sex as a Marketing Strategy in Promoting Tourism’ at the National Conference on Growth Strategies of Tourism in India: Opportunities and Challenges, Department of Economic Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, November 29-30, 2017.
  12. ‘Words under scanner: The limiting of literary voices in India’ at National Seminar on Art under Scanner: Challenges to Artistic Expression, Davki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, February 16, 2017.
  13. ‘A Survey of PhD Theses on the Factors Influencing Second Language Acquisition’ at the International Conference on Language and Literature through the Ages, SRM University, Ghaziabad, November 18-29, 2016.
  14. ‘The Role of English Teacher in Promoting Gender-Sensitive Language’ at the ICSSR Sponsored National Seminar on Gender Equality & Sustainable Development, the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, March 21- 22, 2016.
  15. ‘An empirical study on the English language learning strategies (LLS) used by the STARS students at VIT University’, 11th International Conference on Science Engineering and Technology (ICSET), VIT University, Vellore, November 3- 4, 2015.
  16. ‘The influence of language learning strategy on language-related employability skills' at International Conference on Perspectives of Language Literature and Theory, Sri Akilandeswari Women’s College, Wandiwash, September 25- 26, 2015.
  17. ‘English for employability: A conceptual study on motivation and anxiety’ at International Conference on Perspectives of Language Literature and Theory, Sri Akilandeswari Women’s College, Wandiwash, September 25- 26, 2015.
  18. ‘A Critical Overview of Language Learning Strategy Research and its Future Implications’ at the 9th International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), VIT University, Vellore, December 10-11, 2014.
  19. ‘Motivation in Second Language Learning: A Retrospect’ at the 9th International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), VIT University, Vellore, December 10-11, 2014.
  20. ‘Using website building as a project-based learning (PBL) tool to enhance engineering students’ technical writing skills’ Classrooms’ at International Conference on Trends and Innovations in Language Teaching, Sathyabhama University, Chennai, November 14-15, 2014.
  21. ‘Teachers’ Use of Motivational Strategies in Tertiary Level ESL Classrooms’ at the International Conference on Trends and Innovations in Language Teaching, Sathyabhama University Chennai, November 14-15, 2014.
  22. ‘The role of teaching in enhancing students’ motivation to learn a Second Language’ at Two-Day National Seminar on New Trends in English Language Teaching, Govt. Degree College for Women, Sri Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, August 22-23, 2014.
  23. ‘The importance of assertiveness as a necessary tool for developing interpersonal communication Skills” at a National Seminar on Effective Communication: A Strategic Imperative of Classroom Management, Davki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, February 8, 2014.
  24.  ‘Rural India: The Next Frontier for Social Networking Sites’ at the 4th SET Conference, VIT University, Vellore, May 3-4, 2012.
  25. ‘Second Language Acquisition and Extraversion’ at the 3rd SET Conference at VIT University, Vellore, November 17-18, 2011.
  26. ‘A Critique of Developing Intercultural Competence in the Language Classroom by Bennett, Bennett and Allen’ at the Fourth International and 40th Annual ELTAI Conference, Chennai, August 7-9, 2009.
  27. ‘The Images of White Womanhood in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl at the National Seminar organised by the Indian Society for American Studies, Voorhees College, Vellore, September 6-8, 2007.
  28. ‘The Escapism in the Poetry of John Keats’ at the Annual Sood Memorial Seminar, Department of English, Punjabi University, Patiala, February 16, 2001.
Invited Talks/ Resource Person
1. The Digital Turn in Literary Studies’, Expert Talk, Five-Day Faculty Development Programme, Department of English, Chandigarh University, Punjab, June 27, 2024.
2. ‘Academic Leadership Communication’, invited Lecture, Leadership Development Program for Academicians and Administrators of Higher Education Institutions”, Central University of Punjab on 18 June, 2024.
3. ‘Digital Tools for Academic Writing’, Distinguished Speaker, 12-day ICSSR-sponsored capacity building for Young Faculty, Central University of Punjab, 5-17 February, 2024.
4. ‘Refining Scholarly Writing: Addressing Common Errors and Utilizing AI Tools in Research Paper Composition’, Resource Person, FDP on Transforming Academic Research with AI: New Horizons in Scholarly Publications, IQAC, Baba Farid College, Bathinda, Punjab, December 22, 2023.
5. ‘Corpus Linguistics for Language Teaching’ Invited Talk, Two-day International Conference on Inclusive Pedagogical Strategies in Language Classes: A Humanist Approach, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College (Autonomous), Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, May 2023.
6. 'Englishization of Indian Education: Language Politics and Popular Demands’ Invited Lecture, Dasmesh Girls College, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, March 3, 2023.
7. ‘Possible Errors in English- Indians are Prone to’, Resource Person, Baba Farid College of Education, Bathinda, July 4, 2022
8. ‘CV Writing Workshop for Generation Z’, Resource Person, Department of Zoology, Baba Farid College, Bathinda, 25th May 2022
9. Workshop on ‘Resume Writing’, Resource Person, Career and Placement Cell, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, May 9, 2022.
10. Workshop on ‘Job/Internship application, Cover letter & Resume’, Resource Person, Six-Day Online FDTP on HS3251 - Professional English II, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College (Autonomous) Sivakasi & CFD Anna University, Chennai, January 18, 2022,
11. ‘Teaching of Language of Literature using Corpus Tools’, Resource Person, Five–Day, International Online Faculty Development Programme on A Renewed Perspective to Language Teaching on par with Industrial Revolution 4.0, Department of English, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College (Autonomous) Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, October 25, 2021.
12. ‘Academic Writing’, Resource Person, ICSSR Sponsored Capacity Building Programme for Social Science Faculty Members/ Researchers, School of Social Sciences, Central University of Punjab, August 16, 2021.
13. ‘Digital Tools for Academic Writing’, Expert Talk, University Institute of Liberal Arts and Humanities. Chandigarh University, Mohali, October 9, 2019.
14. ‘Academic Writing’, Resource Person, ICSSR Sponsored Capacity Building Programme for Social Science Faculty, Central University of Punjab, May 15, 2019.
15. ‘Strategies to Enhance Second Language Learning Motivation’, Invited Lecture, Dasmesh Girls College, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, November 3, 2017.
16. ‘Cross-cultural Communication’ University of Gottingen, Germany,
17. ‘Digital tools for Academic Writing’, Faculty Development Programme, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, October 29, 2015.
18. ‘Professional Networking in English through the World Wide Web’, Communication and Career Skills Enhancement Program for the students of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, VIT University, Vellore, August 19, 2015.
19. ‘Drafting Effective Resumes & Statement of Purpose’ as a part of the Communication and Career Skills Enhancement Program for the students of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, held at VIT University, Vellore, August 8, 2015.
20. ‘Errors in English’, Faculty Development Programme, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, July 24, 2015.
21. ‘Common Errors in the Indian Pronunciation of English Words’ Faculty Development Programme, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, March 12, 2015.
22. ‘Edmodo’, Faculty Development Programme, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, February 12, 2015.
23. ‘Possible Errors in English- Indians are Prone to …’ Faculty Development Programme, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, January 22, 2015.
24. ‘Scaling Techniques in Research Methodology’, training sessions for research scholars at the School of Social Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, December 8-9, 2014.
25. ‘Possible Errors in English – Indians are Prone to …’ Faculty Development Programme, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, October 29, 2014.
26. ‘Effective Communication Skills’, Faculty Development Programme, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, August 26, 2014.
27. ‘Communication and Career Skills Enhancement Training Programme’ for the students of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, held at VIT University, Vellore, July 15- August 30, 2014.
28. ‘Motivation to Learn English’, guest lecture at Islamiah College, Vaniambadi, March 13, 2014.
29. ‘Data Collection Techniques in Research Methodology’ at a training session for research scholars at the School of Social Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, October 9, 2013.
30. ‘Communication Skills’, a training program for the students of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, organised by the Office of International Relations, VIT University, Vellore, July 16- August 30, 2011.
31. ‘Effective English through Proper Intonation and Right Pronunciation’ Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, July 7, 2007.
Contribution Towards Institutional Building
Head of the Department, Department of English, Central University of Punjab, (July 2021-July 2024
Co-Chairperson, Career Counselling and Guidance Cell, Central University of Punjab (April 2024- Present)
Member, Executive Council, Central University of Punjab (2020-24)
Member, Academic Council, Central University of Punjab (2020-July 2024)
Member, School Board, School of Languages Literature and Culture, Central University of Punjab
Member, Board of Studies, Department of English, Central University of Punjab
Member, Board of Studies, Department of English, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda
Member, Board of Studies, Department of English, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda
Member, Board of Studies, Department of English, SSD Girls' College, Bathinda
Convener, Academic and Administrative Committee, Department of English, Central University of Punjab
Convener, Curriculum Development Committee, Department of English, Central University of Punjab
Member, Departmental Research Committee, Central University of Punjab
Editorial Member, Annual Report Committee, Central University of Punjab
Faculty In-charge, Language Lab (2016-2020), Central University of Punjab
Faculty Coordinator, English Literary Society (2019-2021), Central University of Punjab
Chairperson, Competitive Examination Cell (2022- April 2024), Central University of Punjab
Citations

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=egjAu9MAAAAJ&hl=en&authuser=1

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55642852800

Web of Science ResearcherID: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/AAT-9849-2020

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4034-9613

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shahila_Zafar2

Other Significant Achievements

Examiner/Question Paper Setter

  1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Examiner, University of Cambridge
  2. Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
  3. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, Punjab, India
  4. Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab, India

Editorial Advisory Board

  1. International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning
  2. Scholar Critic

Reviewer

  1. Frontiers in Psychology
  2. Sage Open
  3. 3L Journal
  4. International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning
  5. Scholar Critic
  6. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation

MOOCs & Specialized Online Courses completed

  1. Developing Critical Thinking Skills, RELO, August 24- September 7, 2020
  2. Using Educational Technology in the English Language Classroom, Iowa State University, as part of the American English (A.E.) E-Teacher Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Canvas. June 2020,
  3. Introduction to Personal Branding, University of Virginia. Coursera. May 2020.
  4. English for Academic Study, Coventry University. FutureLearn. November 2019.
  5. Corpus Linguistics: Method, Analysis, Interpretation, Lancaster University. FutureLearn. December 2018
  6. Shaping the Way We Teach English, 2: Paths to Success in ELT, University of Oregon. Coursera. June 2015.
  7. High-Impact Business Writing, University of California, Irvine. Coursera. June 2014.

Courses completed at the Five Colleges, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, 2006-07Webinars attended

Language Method- Colloquium, Language Method- Practicum, Translation and Technology, Broadcast News Reporting, Black Women Writers

Webinars attended

  1. ‘Text Deconstruction for Language Teaching: a Systemic Functional Linguistics Analytical Grid’ Talk by Dr Laetitia Monbec, by NATESOL, November 8, 2023.
  2. ‘Methods, Tools, and Techniques in the Current Research: Linguistics and Beyond’, KIIT, Bhubaneswar, October 9, 2020.
  3. ‘Project-Based Learning’, NELTA and British Council, October 9, 2020.
  4. ‘Interdisciplinary Perspective of Digital Humanities, KIIT, September 25, 2020
  5. ‘Reading- the Adventure Within by Deepti Gupta’, Oxford University Press, July 28, 2020.
  6. ‘Overcoming Writer’s Block’, Defend and Publish, July 28, 2020
  7. ‘Bringing Vocabulary Alive in English Classroom' by Amol Padwad, Oxford University Press, July 4, 2020.

Orientation/ Refresher Courses attended

  1. Curriculum Design and Development Workshop (under MMMNMTT), CUPB, July 16-25, 2018.
  2. Orientation Course, Human Resource Development Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala, May 25, 2017-June 21, 2017.
  3. Refresher Course on Information Technology, Human Resource Development Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala, December 01- 21, 2016.

Conference/ Seminars/ Workshops attended

  1. International Conference on "Narratives of Nation: Contemporary Literary, Cultural and Theoretical Debates, Department of English, Central University of Punjab, March 24 & 25, 2022.
  2. Patterns of Use of Internet-Enabled Teaching Tools in English Language Classrooms in India’ at the International Conference on Best Innovative Teaching Strategies (ICON-BITS 2021), BITS Pilani, July 29-31, 2021.
  3. Teaching Academic Writing (workshop), Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the US Embassy, June 19 – August 26, 2020
  4. Teaching Academic Reading (workshop), Regional English Language Office (RELO) of the US Embassy, June 19 – August 26, 2020
  5. 1st Israel Forum for Academic Writing (IFAW) Online International Conference on Academic Writing’, July 7, 2020.
  6. ‘Research in ELT’, One-week Webinar, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Hyderabad, June 15-22, 2020.
  7. ‘18th International Conference of the Society for the Study of Multi-Ethnic Literature of the World (MELOW)’, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, March 15-17, 2019.
  8. National Conference on ‘Research in Languages, Literature and Social Sciences: Modern Perspectives and Prospects’, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, August 9-10, 2018.
  9. ‘Collaborative Teaching and Learning Workshop’, University of Birmingham, UK, June 21, 2018.
  10. ‘Future of English Language Teaching Conference’, organised by Trinity College, London & Regents University, London, UK, June 17, 2018.
  11. National Seminar on the ‘Diasporic Indian English Literature: Issues and Concerns’, DAV College, Bathinda, March 28, 2018.
  12. Training Program for ‘Examiner of Writing and Speaking Skills, British Council, Gurgaon, February 2-6, 2018.
  13. National Seminar on ‘Teaching, Learning and Evaluation through Innovative Practices’, Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, January 24- 25, 2018.
  14. National Conference on ‘Growth Strategies of Tourism in India: Opportunities and Challenges’, Department of Economic Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, November 29-30, 2017.
  15. One-day workshop on ‘Counselling Techniques for Mentors’, Student Counselling Cell, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, September 21, 2017.
  16. ‘National Seminar on Art under Scanner: Challenges to Artistic Expression’, Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, February 16, 2017.
  17. ‘International Conference on Language and Literature through the Ages’, SRM University, Ghaziabad, November 18-20, 2016.
  18. ‘Neurizon 2016’, Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Gottingen, May 31- June 3, 2016.
  19. ‘ICSSR Sponsored National Seminar on Gender Equality & Sustainable Development’, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, March 21- 22, 2016.
  20. ‘ICSSR Sponsored National Conference on Education for Sustainable Development’, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, February 4- 5, 2016.
  21. ‘International Conference on Perspectives of Language Literature and Theory’, Sri Akilandeswari Women’s College, Wandiwash, September 25-26, 2015
  22. ‘11th International Conference on Science Engineering & Technology’, VIT University, Vellore, November 3- 4, 2015.
  23. ‘8th SET Conference’, VIT University, Vellore, December 10-11, 2014.
  24. ‘International Conference on Trends and Innovations in Language Teaching’, Sathyabhama University, Chennai, November 14-15, 2014.
  25. ‘Two-Day National Seminar on New Trends in English Language Teaching’, Government Degree College for Women, Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, August 22- 23, 2014.
  26. Workshop on ‘Moving from Text to Talk: New Paradigms in Curriculum Development’ English Language Institute, VIT University, Vellore, January 29, 2015.
  27. ‘One day National Seminar on English Techies: Retrospective/ Perspective and Skills Essential for Competitive Exams’, VIT University, Vellore. August 2, 2014.
  28. Serial workshop Phase-II, ‘Instrument Validation and Application of Multivariate Analysis Tools for Research’, VIT Business School, March 28- 29, 2014.
  29. Serial Workshop Phase- I, ‘Research Methods and Data Analysis for Research’, VIT Business School, March 28- 29, 2014, VIT Business School, November  8-9, 2013
  30. ‘One-day National Workshop on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SPSS (AMOS)’, VIT Business School, August 17, 2013.
  31. ‘4th International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology’, VIT University, Vellore, May 3-4, 2012.
  32. ‘3rd International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology’, VIT University, Vellore, November 17-18, 2011.
  33. Workshop on ‘Practical and Psychological approaches to Language Learning’, School of Social Sciences and Languages, VIT University, Vellore, December 4, 2010.
  34. Workshop on ‘Dealing with Mixed Ability Students and Providing Multi-Focal Tasks to the Advanced Language Learners- A Practicum’, School of Social Sciences and Languages, VIT University, Vellore, November 24, 2010.
  35. One-day Seminar on ‘Essentials of Good Research- Trends and Techniques’,  School of Social Sciences and Languages, VIT University, Vellore, October 30, 2010.
  36. Workshop on ‘Soft Skills through Literature’, School of Social Sciences and Languages, VIT University, Vellore, October 6, 2010.
  37. Workshop on ‘Soft Skills’ VIT University, Vellore, March 18-20, 2009.
  38. ‘Fourth International and 40th Annual ELTAI Conference’, Chennai, August 7-9, 2007.
  39. National Seminar on ‘Women and American Studies- Concerns, Conditions and Contributions, Indian Society for American Studies, Auxilium College, Vellore, September 6-8, 2007.
  40. ‘Departmental Seminar’, Department of English, Punjabi University, Patiala, March 12, 2001.
  41. ‘Annual Sood Memorial Seminar’, Department of English, Punjabi University, Patiala, February 2000.
  42. National Seminar on ‘Interrogating the Post-Condition: Theory, Texts, and Contexts’, January 20-21, 2000.

Faculty Development/Training Programs attended

  1. Five days’ workshop on Curriculum Development, February 6-10, 2023, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.
  2. ‘Action Learning’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, August 20, 2015.
  3. ‘Digital Tools for Flipped Classroom’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, August 12, 2015.
  4. ‘Vocabulary Acquisition and Oral Communication’ Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, May 7, 2015.
  5. ‘The Vanishing Art of Lecturing’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, March 17, 2015.
  6. ‘Usage of Apps for Classroom Learning’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, July 24, 2014.
  7. ‘Statistical Analysis using SAS’, Survey Research Centre, VIT University, Vellore, October 10, 2013.
  8. ‘Effective Proctoring’, VIT University, Vellore, April 2, 2013.
  9. ‘Text Book Writing’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, January 21, 2013.
  10. ‘Mastering the Chinese language- The First Step’, Chinese Language Centre, VIT University, Vellore,    September 1, 2012.
  11. ‘Making of Video Lecture’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, August 21, 2012.
  12. ‘Parenting in the New Millennium’, VIT University, Vellore, October 22, 2011.
  13. ‘Indulgence’, VIT University, Vellore, September 9, 2010.
  14. ‘Bloom’s Taxonomy, Multiple Intelligence, & Experiential Learning’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, May 13, 2010.
  15. ‘Bringing Attitudinal Change’, VIT University, Vellore, February 16, 2010.
  16. ‘Relationship Building’, VIT University, Vellore, February 13, 2010.
  17. ‘Creativity and Innovation’, VIT University, Vellore, November 7, 2009.
  18. ‘Personal Enhancement’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, October 3, 2009.
  19. ‘Improved Teaching Skills’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, February 9- 13, 2009.
  20. ‘Faculty Induction Programme’, Academic Staff College, VIT University, Vellore, July 2- 5, 2007.
  21. ‘Entrepreneurship Development in Students’, Faculty Development Programme, North India Technical Consultancy Organization Ltd. (NITCON), February 25-26, 2005.