Dr Jamie Dunlea, Senior Researcher and Manager, Engish Language Research
Jamie was a highly respected expert in language test development and validation. Throughout his career, he worked on various projects for the British Council and collaborated with international researchers and organizations. Jamie's expertise extended to aligning examinations and assessment systems with international standards such as the CEFR. He also led a significant project to link UK examinations with China's Standards of English and worked extensively with local standards.
Jamie's contributions to education were recognized by Ministries of Education and national agencies, for whom he advised on large-scale assessment reform projects. He was an active member of the language assessment research community.
Before joining the British Council in 2013, Jamie served as the Chief Researcher at the Eiken Foundation in Japan, where he was involved in the research, development, and validation of large-scale English language exams. His career in EFL education spanned 30 years, beginning as a teacher and progressing to test development, production, and assessment research.
Jamie passed away in February 2024. He is fondly remembered, and his legacy in the field of language assessment continues to inspire and influence.
Watch the panel discussion " Synergies and tensions: exploiting the benefits of the “common” dimensions of standards for language education", chaired by Jamie Dunlea at the 2022 British Council New Directions conference in Denpasar, Indonesia, below: