Dr Eira Jepson

I currently work as a Research Associate for the PolicyWISE project, hosted by the Open University. PolicyWISE is the first and only academic initiative to lead comparative policy research and knowledge exchange across the nations of the UK and Ireland, partnering policymakers and academics in and across each nation to solve policy challenges. My role as Research Associate is to manage PolicyWISE’s core comparative policy research offer, as well as provide research support to the wider team and stakeholders.

I completed my PhD in 2024 on the learning of International Languages (IL) in schools in Wales. My research presented an applied, qualitative case study of Routes into Languages Cymru - a language promotion initiative operating in Wales - investigating how it aims to motivate learners of international languages and providing critical insight into the approaches used by the project. The research is set within a context of a ‘language learning crisis’ in the UK, aiming to inform the development of language promotion initiatives and related language policies. I am currently developing this work through my role at PolicyWISE, undertaking comparative policy analysis of language policies across the UK nations, and highlighting opportunities for policy learning. 

I have previously worked in policy and communications in the third, public and private sector in Wales and beyond.