Dr Prashneel Ravisan Goundar

Graduate Research Academic - Graduate Research School

Biography

Dr Prashneel Ravisan Goundar is a Graduate Research Academic based at the University of New England. Originally from the jewel of the South Pacific—Fiji, he moved to UNE in 2022 to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics through the Research and Training Program International PhD scholarship funded by the Australian Government. For a decade, he was a Lecturer in Language and Linguistics at Fiji National University specialising in teaching Academic English and Applied Linguistics courses. Goundar was briefly an Honorary Associate with the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at UNE. His latest book English Language Mediated Settings and Educational Inequalities - Language Education Policy Agendas in the South Pacific with Routledge Publications (UK) is due for publication in late 2024. Dr Goundar is the author of Pursuing Divinity in Paradise (2020), In Simple Words (2017) and Writing and Publishing in Fiji; Narratives from Fijian Writers (2018) an edited volume. Prash’s research interests are of interdisciplinary nature that sits across the three, distinct yet interrelated, fields of Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics and Educational Linguistics. He serves on the Editorial Board of Language Teaching Research, English Language Teaching, and the Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. His publications include research papers, books, critical essays, book chapters, newspaper articles, and book reviews.

Qualifications

PhD (UNE), Master of Arts (TESL), Grad.Dip., Grad.Cert. Tertiary Teaching., Dip. Business

Research Interests

Potential topics for research students and scholarly collaborations include, but are not limited to the following:

Teaching English as a Second language
Language Testing
Applied Linguistics
Educational Linguistics
Language Policy and Planning
Vocabulary Learning Strategies
Academic Writing
Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM)
South Pacific Education and language issues
Multilingual language policies for schools
Medium of instruction studies
Language in society
Language education
Language proficiency
Educational inequalities related to language policies

Publications

For the latest, please see Google Scholar or ResearchGate

Books

Goundar, P. R., English Language Mediated Settings and Educational Inequalities: Language Education Policy Agendas in the South Pacific. UK: Routledge. (Forthcoming)

Goundar, P. R., (2020). Pursuing Divinity in Paradise. Suva, Fiji: Pacific Studies Press.

Goundar, P. R., & Maharaj, V. K. (Ed.). (2018). Writing and Publishing in Fiji-Narratives from Fijian Writers. Suva, Fiji: USP Press.

Goundar, P. R., (2017). In Simple Words: Selected Writings from 2015-2016. Lautoka, Fiji: Vicas Press

Book Chapters

Goundar, P. R. (2023). Pivotal Developments on Hinduism in Fiji. In S. H. Maurits, M. Narinder, V. Goolam, & M. Radica (Eds.), Localization and Globalization of Religions (pp. 105-131). MANOHAR.

Raturi, S., Bogitini, L., Chand, S., Goundar, P. R., Prasad, D., & Vaike, L. (2021). Open Educational Resources Part 1: From Basics to the Big Picture. In S. Raturi (Ed.), Learning Technologies and Higher Education; a Pacific perspective (pp. 5–36). USP Press.

Raturi, S., Bogitini, L., Chand, S., Goundar, P. R., Prasad, D., Vaike, L., & Mati, J. M. (2021). Open Educational Resources Part 2: Experiences and Perspectives of New OER Users. In S. Raturi (Ed.), Learning Technologies and Higher Education; a Pacific perspective (pp. 37–65). USP Press.

Goundar, P. R. (2018). Conversation with Subramani on Writing and Publishing. In P. R. Goundar & V. K. Maharaj (Eds.). (2018). Writing and Publishing in Fiji-Narratives from Fijian Writers (pp. 23-34). Suva, Fiji: USP Press.

Goundar, P. R. (2018). Dynamic Era of Fijian Writing. In Goundar, P. R., & Maharaj, V. K. (Ed.). (2018). Writing and Publishing in Fiji-Narratives from Fijian Writers (pp. 65-68). Suva, Fiji: USP Press.

Goundar, P. R. (2017). The Characteristics of Language Policy and Planning Research: An Overview, Sociolinguistics - Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Dr. Xiaoming Jiang (Ed.), InTech.

Journal Articles

Goundar, P.R. (2023). Examining Fijian first-year university students’ English proficiency on CEFR levels. Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 6(2), 73–93. https://doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v6n2.1050

Goundar, P.R. (2023), Language, educational inequalities, and epistemic access: crafting alternative pathways for Fiji, Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 24 No.3, pp. 299-314. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-06-2023-0104

Goundar, P. R. (2023). Underlying Educational Inequalities in the Global and Fijian Context. Open Education Studies, 5(1),1-9. https://doi.org/10.1515/edu-2022-0192

Goundar, P. R. (2023). Application of Grounded Theory Methodology Using CEFR in the Field of Language Testing. Review of European Studies, 15(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.5539/res.v15n1p1

Goundar, P. R., & Sharma, S. (2021). Pacific Universities’ Leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic-a Case Study of Fiji and New Zealand. Public Administration Research, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.5539/par.v11n1p1

Goundar, P. R. (2020). An Overview of Language Testing. European Journal of Literature, Language and Linguistics Studies, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejlll.v4i3.230

Goundar, P. R. (2020). Bridging the gap for English language testing study in Fiji: proposing an evaluation of the writing proficiency level of pre-first year and post-first year undergraduate students. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(3), 351-358. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1103.02

Goundar, P. R. (2019). Outlining the Language Policy and Planning (LPP) in Fiji; Taking Directions from Fiji Islands Education Commission Report of 2000. English Language Teaching, 12(7), 61-67. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v12n7p61

Goundar, P. R. (2019). Key Emerging Issues in Higher Education, Fiji. Asian Social Science, 15(6), 96. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v15n6p96

Goundar, P. R., & Bogitini, L. J. (2019). First Year Fijian Undergraduate University Students Academic Essay Writing Error Analysis. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 8(1), 172-177. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.8n.1p.172

Goundar, P. R. (2019). Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs) Employed by Learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). English Language Teaching, 12(5),177-189. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v12n5p177

Goundar, P.R., (2017). Evaluating Language Disparities in Fiji. Fiji Teachers Union Journal, 87, pp.87-90.

Goundar, P.R., (2016). A Socio-linguistic Outline of Language Policy and Planning (LPP): Reference to LPP in Fiji. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 3 (2), pp.688-699.

Goundar, P.R. and Kaur, M., (2016). Multilingualism, the Linguistic Landscape of Fiji. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 2 (4), pp.625-632.

Goundar, P.R., (2015). Vocabulary Learning Strategies of English as Foreign Language (EFL) Learners: A Literature Review. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 2 (2), pp.292-301.

Goundar, P.R., (2015). Defining culture, heritage and identity in Fijian Context. International Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies, 2 (1), pp.139-149.

Book Reviews

Goundar, P. (2021). Subramani pens another read. The Fiji Times, 27 February.

Goundar, P. (2020). Natalie Braber & Sandra Jansen (eds.), Sociolinguistics in England. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018. Language in Society, 49(3), 484-485. doi:10.1017/S0047404520000159

Goundar, P. (2018). Priti Sandhu, Professional identity constructions of Indian women. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2016. Pp. ix, 348. Hb. €99. Language in Society, 47(1), 155-156. doi:10.1017/S0047404517000872

Goundar, P. (2018). Guide for leaders. The Fiji Times, [Online] 24 December.

Goundar, P. (2017). Lines about Our Home. The Fiji Times, [Online] 27 October.

Goundar, P. (2017). An Exceptional Local Writer. The Fiji Times, [Online] 22 October.

Non-traditional Research Output/Newspaper/Magazines

Goundar, P. R., & Narayan, R. (2023). Critics, politics and patience. The Fiji Times.

Goundar, P. R., & Narayan, R. (2023). Let our voices ring with pride. The Fiji Times.

Blurb in the book When Feelings Speaks (Mercy Hazarika Gogoi, 2021)

Blurb in the book The Girl with a Mirror (Nushrat Azam, 2021)

Goundar, P., 2021. Overcoming the loss of a loved one. The Fiji Times, 13 March.

Blurb in the book Easy Pieces on Education (Ravinesh Prasad, 2020)

Goundar, P.R., (2020, September 19). Attaining your dreams by conquering your fears. The Fiji Times, p.28

Goundar, P.R., (2019, July 6). Bound by the age; Forever Young. The Fiji Times, p.12.

Goundar, P.R., (2019, May 22). In search of happiness. The Fiji Times, p.12

Goundar, P., 2018. The lie we live. The Fiji Times, [Online] 1 December.

Goundar, P., 2018. Gem of a Home. The Fiji Times, [Online] 28 May.

Goundar, P., 2017. The People’s Princess. The Fiji Times, [Online] 22 December.

Goundar, P., 2017. A Woman’s Sacrifice. The Fiji Times, [Online] 1 December.

Goundar, P., 2017. A Tribute to Benson. The Fiji Times, [Online] 22 September.

Goundar, P., 2017. Challenge of Writing. The Fiji Times, [Online] 22 August.

Goundar, P., 2017. An Eruption of Writers. The Fiji Times, [Online] 21 August.

Goundar, P.R., 2017. Future Directions for Youth in Advancing the Hindu Dharma. Fiji National Hindu Youth Conference, pp.19-20

Goundar, P., 2017. Service to humanity. The Fiji Times, [Online] 30 May.

Goundar, P., 2017. Revitalizing the Essence of Reading. Positively Transforming World, pp.40-41.

Goundar, P., 2017. Journey after death. The Fiji Times, [Online] 13 March.

Goundar, P., 2016. Keep your culture; The challenge for South Indians in Fiji. The Fiji Times, [online] 18 January.

Goundar, P., 2016. Weight of No Expectations. The Fiji Times, [Online] 31 December.

Goundar, P., 2016. You’ll reap what you sow. The Fiji Times, [Online] 29 October.

Goundar, P., 2016. Identity in our language. The Fiji Times, [Online] 3 September.

Goundar, P., 2016. Lack of Moral Values. The Fiji Times, [Online] 6 August.

Goundar, P., 2016. Organise and Manage Research. The Fiji Times, [Online] 23 July.

Goundar, P., 2016. The Art of Teaching. Project Third World, pp. 121-124.

Goundar, P., 2016. Fiji’s Intellectual Debate. The Fiji Times, [Online] 25 June.

Goundar, P., 2016. The Language of Development. The Fiji Times, [online] 23 May.

Goundar, P., 2016. A Guide to Vocabulary Learning Strategies. Project Third World

Goundar, P., 2015. Morning Terror. Project Third World, [online]

Goundar, P., 2015. The Plight of Refugees. Project Third World, [online]

Conference Papers and Seminars

HDR Disaster Management Panel Discussion at the UNE Postgraduate Conference, University of New England, Australia. 22 Nov, 2023.

Researcher Positionality: Ways to Include it in a Qualitative Research Design. Presented at the UNE Postgraduate Conference. 22 Nov, 2023.

Changing the Narrative by Decolonising Language Policies in Higher Education. Paper presented at the Language Policy Forum, University of London. 15 Jun, 2023.

Publishing from your PhD Thesis: A Lived Experience. Presented at the University of New England, Australia. 30 May, 2023.

Become the Captain of your Ship—How to take charge of the PhD Journey. Paper presented at the Annual Enquire Conference, University of Nottingham, UK. 17 May, 2023.

Educational Inequalities and Injustices—a Grounded Theory Methodological Approach. Paper presented at the 20th Linguistics Conference for Doctoral Students, Universitat Freiburg, Germany. 27 Feb, 2023.

Commencing a PhD in the Pandemic on Writing Skills for Undergraduate Students in Fiji. Presented at the UNE Postgraduate Conference. 24 Jun, 2021.

Writing Skills for Undergraduate Students in Fiji: Examining Grounded Theory Methodology in Language Testing Research. Paper presented at the 17th Linguistics Conference for PhD Students, Universitat Freiburg, Germany. 23 Apr, 2021.

Writing Skills for Undergraduate Students in Fiji: Tackling Educational Inequalities, Facilitating Epistemic Access. PhD Confirmation seminar presented at University of New England, Australia. 24 Feb, 2021.

Chaired the Young Scholar Learning segment at the Post-Colonial Education & Research in the Pacific Talanoa (Education conference) at Fiji National University, Lautoka. 26 Nov, 2019.

Writing for Publication. Workshop conducted for academic and support staff at the Fiji National University, Lautoka, Fiji. 27 Aug, 2019.

Relooking at assessments in English for Academic Studies at the Fiji National University, Lautoka. 23 May, 2019.

On the Way to Writing and Publishing. Guest Lecturer for postgraduate students at The University of Fiji, Lautoka, Fiji. 27 Nov, 2018.

The Ordinary Makings of a Writer. Guest Lecturer for undergraduate students at The University of Fiji, Lautoka, Fiji. 21 Aug, 2018.

A Personal Insight on Writing and Publishing in Fiji: Narratives from Fijian Writers (2018) at Fiji National University, Lautoka. 2 Jul, 2018.

The Current Problems with Mother Tongue in Fiji. Paper presented at Fiji National University, Lautoka. 24 Feb, 2017.

Defining Life Through Writings. Guest Lecturer for the course Language & Literacy II at Fiji National University, Lautoka, Fiji . 26 Oct, 2016.