Northern Illinois University
Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy

Mission

The Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy’s (CISLL) mission is to support research about understanding the processes involved in language and literacy skills in order to enhance quality of life at home, at work, and in the community.

CISLL upholds this mission by committing to:

• Engage in basic and applied research in language and literacy.
• Develop and apply innovative research and assessment methodologies to solve complex problems.
• Identify and promote best practices in language and literacy.
• Provide evidence-based outreach that generates results.

Through our seminar series, methodology workshops, collaborative research and outreach projects, research and policy briefs and proposal or pilot grants, we provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in research and outreach.

Special Interest Groups

The types of research CISLL affiliates conduct can be separated into three special interest groups (SIGs), described below. If you are interested in joining one of these Special Interest Groups, you can indicate your interest while attending CISLL events or by contacting a SIG leader. As a member of a SIG, you will have the opportunity to attend events, such as writing workshops or guest speakers, with other members of your SIG.

SIG 1: Diversity and Language Processing

Led by Julia Ogg

This special interest group includes reading and/or language disabilities, special education, social relationship building as it relates to language-creating barriers and the social impact of labeling and discrimination.

SIG 2: Second-Language Learning and Bilingualism

Led by Mandy Faretta-Stutenberg

This special interest group includes national and international perspectives and the unique advantages/disadvantages facing speakers and learners of more than one language.

SIG 3: Learning within the Disciplines Across the Lifespan

Led by Melissa Clucas Walter

This special interest group includes teaching and STEM learning, as well as academic enablers such as motivation, school climate, socio-emotional factors, and social relationship building.