Bio: Prof John Hajek is Professor of Italian Studies and a linguist in the School of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Melbourne where he is also the director of RUMACCC (Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-cultural Communication). He is first past president of LCNAU (Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities) and Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

John completed his university education in Australia, Italy and the UK. He has held research fellowships at Oxford and at Melbourne. He has a wide range of research interests, including language education at all levels. A particular focus has been on languages and cultures teaching and research at tertiary level. He has also been actively involved in language promotion as well as supporting language studies in our universities working closely with colleagues to establish LCNAU in 2011.

Abstract: "The place of European languages, languages and multilingualism in Australia before and after COVID: the view from Higher Education"

The sudden arrival in early 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the higher education sector in Australia and elsewhere in more ways than one. Many Australian universities have been unable to operate normally on campus and online teaching remains at least for the moment a significant new normal. Through all this, language academics have shown remarkable adaptability and resilience – qualities that have served them well for decades.

In December 2020 during the pandemic five leading Academies in four Anglophone countries issued a joint statement calling for renewed efforts in favour of language education and multilingualism. As we move out of the pandemic’s shadow, it is therefore a moment for some reflection about the complex and dynamic environment in which we live and operate. In this lecture I consider some of the challenges for and successes of European languages, and languages more generally in Australia – particularly in the context of higher education. Many issues are longstanding, well-known and apply across sectors of education – the result of a strong Anglocentrism and monolingual mindset common to English-speaking nations. COVID-19 has brought renewed attention to these biases and challenges, and to the talk of crisis that often gravitates around us, including in Higher Education. However, there are also long-term transformations closer to the coalface. All of this also allows to consider some of the many – often positive - changes in teaching and research, as well as in collaboration, that have been under way across our sector well before COVID-19. Finally, it’s also a time to look forward – to see where we might be heading. In addition to the everchanging dynamics we normally face, what will the long-term effects of COVID-19 be for us? We need to consider how we as academics and educators can as individuals and working together address and direct change in order to strengthen the languages and cultures sector for future generations.