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Professor of Applied Linguistics

Telephone : +44 (0)20 8392 3348
Email : b.osullivan@roehampton.ac.uk
Department : Media, Culture and Language
Office location : Howard 112

Send a message to Professor Barry O'Sullivan

Qualifications

2000 PhD in Applied Linguistics: Centre for Applied Language Studies, University of Reading
1995 MA Teaching English as a Foreign Language: Centre for Applied Language Studies, University of Reading
1989 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults: University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate/Royal Society of Arts (RSA)
1977 Teacher Training (M.I. – Teacher of Engineering): Bolton St. College of Technology, Dublin

About

Professor Barry O’Sullivan is particularly interested in issues related to performance testing, test validation and test-data management and analysis. He has lectured for many years on various aspects of language testing, and is currently Director of the Centre for Language Assessment Research (CLARe). He is also very interested in academic enterprise and is the Assistant Dean for Academic Enterprise in the School of Arts.

Barry’s publications have appeared in a number of international journals and he has presented his work at international conferences around the world. His first book ‘Issues in Business English Testing’, was published by Cambridge University Press in the Studies in Language Testing series in 2006. His second (Modelling Performance in Oral Language Testing) was published by Peter Lang in 2008 and he is currently working on two edited volumes which will appear in the coming year. Barry is very active in language testing around the world and currently works with government ministries, universities and test developers in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Central America. He is also on the editorial board of a number of journals in the areas of language testing and applied linguistics.

In addition to his work in the area of language testing, Barry taught in Ireland, England, Peru and Japan before taking up his current post.

External Activities

Visiting Professorships
University of Technology Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia [2005 - present]
Bilkent University, Turkey [2004 - present]

Teaching

Bilkent University, Turkey – Language Testing module on MSc Educational Management [2005 – present]
University of Reading – Lecturer on Campus-based and distance MA English Language Teaching programmes [2004 – present]
Visiting Lecturer, The University of Surrey – MA English as a Foreign Language [2002 – 2004]
Visiting Lecturer, The University of North London – MA English as a Foreign Language [1998 – 1999]

Editorial Board Membership

Language Issues [2007 – present]
Malaysian Journal of English for Academic Purposes [2005 – present]
Language Testing [2005 – present]
Assessing Writing [2005 – present]
Hong Kong Journal of Applied Linguistics [2001 – present]

EditorConference Organising
Joint Organiser – Language Testing Forum [Nov. 2006]
Conference Chair and chief organiser – Language Testing Research Colloquium [July 2003]
Organiser – Language Testing Forum [Nov. 2002]
Conference Programme Chair – Japan Association for Language Teaching International Conference [Nov 1997]

Other Activities

Board Member – International Association of Language Testers [2000 – 2001]
Chair – JALT Financial Steering Committee [1990 - 1993]

Research Interests

In General:

Factors affecting spoken performance
Specific purpose assessment

More Specific to Testing & Assessment:

Test development & validation
Assessing rater behaviour
Assessing speaking & writing
Data management & analysis
Scaling & calibration

Research Project Undertaken

British Council [May 2009] – Develop & deliver online CPD in assessment for BC staff worldwide. Total Funding: up to £40,000

International Council of Ophthalmology [May 2009] – Data management and analysis and development of new examinations. Total Funding: up to £40,000

ECIF [April 2009] – Training programme for the creative industries in the south west London region [wrote and costed the bid for Roehampton University]. Total Funding: approx. £500,000 [HEFCE grant - £249,749]

City & Guilds [March 2009] – Linking projects for IESOL English language examinations. Total Funding: £20,000

British Council [January 2009] – Maintenance of placement test (data management & analysis). Total Funding: £40,000

British Council [August 2007] – Placement Test Development Project: design & development of a test to be used by the British Council across the world (estimated 100,000 test-takers per year from 2008). Total Funding: £240,000

City & Guilds [October 2007] - Benchmarking the Communicator English Language Test to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Total Funding: £22,500

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) [December 2004] – A qualitative investigation of the effect of response mode on test-taker written performance: comparing test-taker writing on computer and with pen and paper. Total funding: £13,000

Cambridge ESOL [February 2004] – Computer delivered versus traditional pencil-and-paper testing of reading comprehension: Investigating performance, affect and processing. Total funding: £13,000

International English Language Testing System [December 2003] – Exploring difficulty in speaking tasks: an intra-task perspective. Total funding: £13,000

Confederation for British Teachers (CfBT) & Department for International Development (DfID) [October – December 2003] – Baseline Study of Language Ability of Primary, Secondary and Higher Education Students and Teachers in Rwanda. Total funding: £11,000

International English Language Testing System [December 2002] – Does the computer make a difference? Reactions of candidates to a computer delivered versus traditional hand written academic forms of the IELTS writing component. Total funding: £13,000

International English Language Testing System [December 2002] – An empirical study on examiner deviation from the set interlocutor frame in the IELTS speaking paper. Total funding: £8,210

Leonardo da Vinci – Community Vocational Training Action Programme, EU [October 2002 – June 2004] – Quality assurance in language for specific purposes – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. Total funding: £20,000 (approx.)

International English Language Testing System [December 2001] – A longitudinal analysis of the effect of feedback on rater performance on the IELTS General Training writing module. Total funding: £10,000

University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate [March 2001] – IELTS General Training Writing Variability Project. Total funding: £6,000

International English Language Testing System [December 2000] – Assessing the value of multi-faceted Rasch bias analysis based feedback to raters for the IELTS Writing module. Total funding: £10,000

Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Reading, UK [August 1999] – Developing a Speaking Module for the Test of English for Educational Purposes. Total funding: £21,000

Consultancy Experience

Test & Questionnaire Development and Validation
Assessment Systems (for language or training programmes)
Skill Training (specific aspects of test development; data management; data analysis - classical and IRT analysis, general statistics for applied linguistics)
Project Evaluation

Consultancies Undertaken

International Council for Ophthalmology [November 2008] – Development of proposal for new suite of examinations for ophthalmology [commitment to involvement in long-term project if successful]

Association of Language Testers in Europe [September 2007] – Language Testing Seminar. Valencia, Spain (third in annual series)

Educational Reform Program (ERP) Egypt [August 2007] – National Centre for Examinations and Educational Evaluation (NCEEE): Organizational Evaluation Baseline Study
May 2007

Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania [May 2007] – Staff development training (Multivariate statistics) and project planning (Academic Credit for Lifelong Learning Project)
March 2007

Effective Schools Program, Egypt (World Bank/European Union Joint Funded Project) [May 2007] – Final Evaluation Report for ESP project element – report writing and data management & analysis
October 2006

Educational Enhancement Project, Egypt (World Bank/European Union Joint Funded Project) [March 2007] – Project Report for ESP project element – consultancy on potential contents and data analysis
September 2006

Association of Language Testers in Europe [September 2006] – Language Testing Seminar. Perugia, Italy

Association of Language Testers in Europe [September 2005] – Language Testing Seminar. Munich, Germany

Veracruz University, Mexico [June 2005 – present] EXAVER Examination Project (Staff training & test development)

NAPO (National Assessment Agency), United Arab Emirates [March 2005] – Consultation on proposed new examination in Mathematics

Swedish Ministry of Education [November 2004] – Language Testing Seminar. Stockholm, Sweden

Nordic Language Testing Seminar [September 2004] – Training of testers from Ministries of Education. Copenhagen, Denmark

Sultan Qaboos University, Oman [June – July 2004] – Review of Language Testing Practices Qualifications & Curriculum Authority, UK [January-February 2004] – Review of English

Language Examinations –- Development of rationale for future accreditation procedures for internationally-focused language examinations

Department of Education, Mexico [October 2003] – Test development and test data analysis consultancy

RED Centre, University of Surrey Roehampton [May 2003] – Diagnostic Test for Academic Language Skills

TRUMP (NATO) [March 2003] – Consultant, workshop organiser (testing writing) – Sofia, Bulgaria

Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey [July 2002] – Seminar and Consultancy: Development of an Item Bank for Language Test Items

Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (Test of Dutch as a Foreign Language) [2002-2004] – Member of the International Board

University of Bristol, Faculty of Education [June 2002] – Seminar: Research Issues in Testing Speaking (to PhD & DEd students, staff, MA students)

CELI (Test of Knowledge of the Italian Language), University for Foreigners, Perugia, Italy [May 2002] – Evaluation Report on the CELI suite; Seminars of aspects of testing for CELI staff

TRUMP (NATO) [March 2002] – Consultant, workshop organiser (testing speaking) – Sofia, Bulgaria

Pitman Qualifications, City & Guilds, London [January-February 2002] – Eval uation Report on the Pitman ESOL suite

Cambridge ESOL [August 2000 – November 2005] – English language test consultant

Education Ministry, Denmark [August 2000-2001] - Test of Danish as a Foreign Language (Danish Language Testing Consortium)

School of Linguistics & Applied Language Studies, The University of Reading, UK [August 2000-2001] – Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP) – Revision project leader

Asian Centre for Language Acquisition Research (ACLAR), Hong Kong Polytechnic University [May-June 2000] – Consultant on GSLPA - Graduating Students’ Language Proficiency Assessment

Teaching Interests

Development and delivery of post-graduate level courses in the area of assessment and testing (campus-based or distance)
Specific courses or seminars for research students

Examining Experience

External Examining
Lancaster University [2008 – present] – MA Language Testing – distance
Bangor University, Wales [2007 – present] – MA Applied Linguistics & MA Linguistics

PhDs Examined (Internal)
Rodiki, Joanna. 2004. Evaluating Language Learning in the Greek Cypriot Context.
The University of Surrey Roehampton. Viva date: July 2004.
Green, Tony. 2003. Backwash effects of the IELTS test.
The University of Surrey Roehampton. Viva date: July 2003.
Lee, Winnie Yuk Chun. 2002. The effects of test methods and anxiety on test performance.
The University of Reading. Viva date: December 2002.
Moumakwa, Tshiamiso V. 2002. Vocabulary and Reading in Botswana Senior Secondary Schools.
The University of Reading. Viva date: November 2002.

PhDs Examined (External)
Sanchez Chavez B., Maria del Carmen. 2009. Mixed Methods Research on Language Learning Motivation in the Mexican Context.
MacQuarie University, Australia. External Examiner, no viva. May 2009. Nakatsuhara, Fumiyo. 2009. Conversational styles in group oral tests: How is the conversation co-constructed.
University of Essex. Viva Date: March 2009. Papageorgiou, Spiros. 2007. Setting standards in Europe: The judges’ contribution to relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference.
Lancaster University. Viva Date: November 2007. Hnin Tun, San San. 2006. Discourse Markers in Burmese and English: A Corpus-Based Approach.
The University of Nottingham. Viva Date: November 2006. Yu, Guoxing. 2005. Towards a model of using summarization tasks as a measure of reading comprehension.
The University of Bristol Graduate School of Education. Viva date: October 2005. Berry, Vivien. 2004. A study of the interaction between individual personality differences and oral performance test facets.
Kings College, The University of London. Viva Date: Aug. 25th, 2004. Brown, Annie. 2004. Interviewer variability in oral proficiency interviews.
The University of Melbourne, Australia. External examiner, no viva. Shabdin, Ahmad Affendi. 2003. Developing a Vocabulary Knowledge Test for Primary Students in Malaysia.
The University of Nottingham. Viva Date: October 2003. Boraie, Deena. 2003. Adult Egyptian English language learners’ perceptions of proficiency, strategies and affect in a test-taking context.
The University of Wolverhampton. Viva date: September 2003. Mohamed, Nermin. 2003. Semantic mapping and teaching vocabulary.
The University of Bristol Graduate School of Education. Viva date: May 2003.

Publications

Issues in Testing Business English: The BEC Revision Project. Cambridge University Press: 2006 
Modelling Performance in Oral Language Testing. Frankfurt: Peter Lang. 2008. 
The Cambridge Guide to Language Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Coombe, C. Davidson, P., O’Sullivan, B. and Stoynoff, C. (eds). Forthcoming - 2010 
Language Testing: Theory & Practice. Oxford: Palgrave (Advances in Linguistics Series) Sole Editor, forthcoming - 2010
O’Sullivan, B. (forthcoming – 2011). Language Testing. In James Simpson (ed) Routledge Handbook of Applied Linguistics. Oxford: Routledge.
O’Sullivan, B. (forthcoming – 2011). Testing Language for Specific Purposes. In Carol A. Chapelle (general Ed.) The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics. New York: Wiley Blackwell.
O’Sullivan, B. (forthcoming – 2010). Introduction – Professionalization, Localisation & Fragmentation in Language Testing. In Barry O’Sullivan (ed) Language Testing: Theory & Practice. Oxford: Palgrave.
O’Sullivan, B. & Nakatsuhara, F. (forthcoming – 2010). Speaking test performance and test-taker personality. In Barry O’Sullivan (ed) Language Testing: Theory & Practice. Oxford: Palgrave. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Weir, C. (forthcoming – 2010). The Test Development & Validation. In Barry O’Sullivan (ed) Language Testing: Theory & Practice. Oxford: Palgrave. 
O’Sullivan, B. (forthcoming – 2010). Testing Speaking. In Coombe, C. Davidson, P., O’Sullivan, B. and Stoynoff, C. (eds) The Cambridge Guide to Language Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 
O’Sullivan, B. (forthcoming – 2010). A History of Testing. In Coombe, C. Davidson, P., O’Sullivan, B. and Stoynoff, C. (eds) The Cambridge Guide to Language Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 
O’Sullivan, B. (forthcoming – 2010). Test Development. In Coombe, C. Davidson, P., O’Sullivan, B. and Stoynoff, C. (eds) The Cambridge Guide to Language Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Green, T. (in press). Test taker characteristics. In Lynda Taylor (ed) Examining Speaking. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
O’Sullivan, B. (forthcoming – 2010). Test Development. In Coombe, C. Davidson, P., O’Sullivan, B. and Stoynoff, C. (eds) The Cambridge Guide to Language Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 
Kantarcioglu, E., Thomas, C., O’Dwyer, J. and O’Sullivan, B. (in press). The cope linking project: a case study. In Waldemar Martyniuk (ed.) Relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Case studies and reflections on the use of the Council of Europe’s Draft Manual. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 
O’Sullivan (in press). The City & Guilds Communicator Examination linking project: a brief overview with reflections on the process. In Waldek Martyniuk (ed.) Relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Case studies and reflections on the use of the Council of Europe’s Draft Manual. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 
O’Sullivan, B. (2009) Modelling Language Performance: Key Issues and Solutions. Proceedings of the XII Seminario AICLU, Udine, Italy.
Selavruby, P., O’Sullivan, B., & Watts, M. 2008. School-based assessment in Sri Lanka: ensuring valid processes for assessment-for-learning in physics. In Richard Coll & Neil Taylor (Eds.) Education in Context: An International Perspective of the Influence of Context on Science Curriculum Development, Implementation and the Student-Experienced Curriculum’. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers. Pp 131 – 144. 
O’Sullivan, B., Weir, C., Yang, J. & Bax, S. 2007. Does the computer make a difference? Reactions of candidates to a computer delivered versus traditional hand written academic forms of the IELTS writing component. The British Council: IELTS Research Reports Volume 7, 311-347. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Rignall, M. 2007. Assessing the value of bias analysis feedback to raters for the IELTS Writing Module. In C. Weir (ed). IELTS Research in Writing and Speaking. Studies in Language Testing Vol. 19. Cambridge University Press/ Cambridge ESOL , 446-476.

O’Sullivan, B. & Yang, L. 2006. An empirical study on examiner deviation from the set interlocutor frame in the IELTS speaking paper. The British Council: IELTS Research Reports Volume 6: 91-118. 

O’Sullivan, B, Weir, C & Horai, T. 2006 Exploring difficulty in speaking tasks: an intra-task perspective. The British Council: IELTS Research Reports Volume 7: 119-160.
O’Sullivan, B. & Davidson, P. 2005. A quantitative investigation of interlocutor-related variability in speaking test. In Davidson P., Coombe, C. and Jones, W. (eds.) Assessment in the Arab World. Dubai: TESOL Arabia, 203-224.
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Modelling Factors Affecting Oral Language Test Performance: a large scale empirical study. In Cyril J. Weir and M. Milanovic (eds.) European Language Testing in a Global Context. Studies in Language Testing Vol. 18. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press/ Cambridge ESOL : 129-142. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Davidson, P. 2003. Gender, acquaintanceship and personality as performance variability factors in speaking tests. In S. Phipps (ed) Speaking in the Monolingual Classroom: Need for a Fresh Approach? Proceedings of the 8th International Bilkent University School of English Language ELT Conference. Ankara: Bilkent University: 234-255.
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Defining the test taker: theoretical and practical implications. In C. Coombe, P. Davidson and D. Lloyd (eds.) Proceedings of the 5th & 6th Current Trends in English Language Testing (CTELT) Conferences. Dubai: TESOL Arabia: 3-18.
O’Sullivan. B. 2007. Testing Speaking in Large Classes. Humanising Language Teaching. Downloaded, August 2007: http://www.hltmag.co.uk/jul07/sart04.htm 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Testing Language for Business: a critical overview of current practice. ESP Malaysia, 3: 17-31.
Lumley, T. & O’Sullivan, B. 2005. The Impact of Test Taker Characteristics on Speaking Test Task Performance. Language Testing, 22(4): 415-437.
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Learner Acquaintanceship and Oral Proficiency Test Pair-Task Performance. Language Testing,19 (3): 277-295
O’Sullivan, B., Weir, C. & Saville, N. 2002. Using observation checklists to validate speaking-test tasks. Language Testing, 19 (1): 33-56 
Lumley, T. & O’Sullivan, B. 2001. The Effect of Test-Taker Sex, Audience and Topic on Task Performance in Tape-Mediated Assessment of Speaking. Melbourne Papers in Language Testing, 9 (1): 34-55.
O’Sullivan, B. 2000. Exploring Gender and Oral Proficiency Interview Performance. System, 28 (3) 2000: 373-386 
O’Sullivan, B. 2010. What’s the Difference between Establishing Standards and Validity? Plenary Address, International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language, Testing & Evaluation Special Interest Group and Zayed University, Conference. Dubai, February 11th-12th. 
O’Sullivan. B. 2009. Testing minority languages in a multi-lingual context? Plenary Address. Association of Language Testers in Europe, Conference, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, November 13th. 
O’Sullivan. B. 2009. Why does assessment fail? Invited talk to the Learning & Teaching Group’s Assessment & Feedback Summit, Roehampton University, London, June 8th. 
O’Sullivan. B. 2009. Standard Setting, the CEFR and Tests of Language for Specific Purpose. Plenary Address. Association of Language Testers in Europe, Conference, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, April 24th. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2008. Oral testing and classroom oral performance. Invited Address, Language Centre, Cornell University, USA, November 5th. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2008. Globalisation to Localisation: the impact of change on the language testing industry. Plenary Address, My_CASELT Conference, MARA University of Technology, Malaysia, October. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2008. Global versus local: the changing face of the language testing industry. Plenary Address, IATEFL Special Interest Group Event, Dublin October. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2008. Modelling Language Performance: Key Issues and Solutions. Keynote Address, Associazione Italiana Centri Linguistici Universitari (AICLU) Annual Conference, Udine, Italy, May.
O’Sullivan, B. 2008. Understanding Levels of EAP Proficiency. Plenary Address, English for Specific Purposes Conference, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2007. Validity the CEFR and Language Tests. Plenary Address Bilkent University, Turkey Annual Conference, June.
O’Sullivan, B. 2007. Validation of In-house testing. Plenary Address, British Association of English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) Professional Interest Meeting. University of Salford, February. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Rater Training: issues for testing speaking and writing. Invited Talk, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Rater Training: issues for testing speaking and writing. Invited Talk, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Testing Language for Specific Purposes: Theory and Practice. Plenary Address, English for Specific Purposes Conference, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Daring to Lead or Failing to Follow: 40 Years of Language Testing. Plenary Address, TESOL International Conference, Tampa Florida, March. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Assessing Readiness in University Language Centre Programmes. Keynote Address, Association of University Language Celtres Annual Meeting. Queen’s University, Belfast, January. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2005. The Critical Role of Assessment in Learning. Plenary address, Current Trends in English Language Testing (CTELT) Conference, Dubai, November. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Training Raters for Tests of Speaking and Writing. Plenary address, Current Trends in English Language Testing (CTELT) Conference, Dubai, December.
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Locating Specificity in Tests of Language for Specific Purposes. Plenary address, Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) Members Meeting, Bilbao, November. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Assessing Language in an Educational Context. Closing Plenary Address Examinations Conference, Mexico City, March. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. The Validation and Standardisation of Language Tests. Opening Plenary Address Examinations Conference, Mexico City, March. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Describing Specificity in Tests of Language for Specific Purposes. Plenary address Current Trends in English Language Testing (CTELT) Conference, Dubai, December. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Testing and Academic Writing. Plenary address, Bilkent University, Turkey Annual Staff Conference, July. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Evaluating Assessment in an Academic Context. Plenary address British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes, Annual Conference, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Assessing Speaking in Language Programmes. Plenary address, Bilkent University, Turkey Annual Conference, January.
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Focusing on the Individual in Language Assessment. Plenary address American College in Greece Annual Conference, Athens, December. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Perspectives on the Individual in Language Assessment. Plenary Address, CyTEA (Cyprus Teachers of English Association) Conference, Nicosia, November. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Autonomy and Assessment in Language Learning. Plenary address, IATEFL SIG Symposium, Istanbul, Turkey, September. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Defining the Test Taker: Theoretical and Practical Implications. Plenary address, CTELT 6 Conference, Dubai, May.
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Defining the Test Taker: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives. Plenary address, Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) Members Meeting, St. Petersburg, April.
Weir, C. J. & O’Sullivan, B. 2009. Validity and Validation. Language Testing Forum. University of Bedfordshire, November 2009. 
Roberts, R. & O’Sullivan, B. 2008. The City and Guilds Common European Framework (CEFR) Linking Project. Paper presented at the EALTA Conference, Athens, June. 
Roberts, R. & O’Sullivan, B. 2007. The City and Guilds Communicator Linking Project: Work in Progress. Paper presented at the ‘Relating Examinations to the CEFR 2004-2007’ conference, Cambridge, December.
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Task Specificity in Language for Specific Purposes. Paper presented at the BAAL/IRAAL Conference, Cork. September. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. How ‘good’ are our speaking test tasks: implications of recent research findings. Paper presented at the EALTA Conference, Krakow Poland. May.
Green, A. & O’Sullivan, B. 2005. The Uneasy Guest at the Examiner's Table? Incorporating the Test Taker in Test Development. Language Testing Forum, University of Cambridge, November. 
O’Sullivan. B. 2005. A critical look at task-based learning research methodologies. Task-Based Learning & Teaching Conference, Leuven, September.
O’Sullivan, B. & Davidson, P. 2004. Threats to the reliability of speaking tests. Current Trends in English Language Testing (CTELT) Conference, Dubai, December. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Davidson, P. 2004. Threats to the reliability of speaking tests. Current Trends in English Language Testing (CTELT) Conference, Dubai, December. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. A Theoretical Framework for the Development and Validation of Tests of Language for Specific Purposes. Paper presented at the Language Testing Forum, Cambridge, November. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Bateman, H. 2002. Issues in Business Language Testing: The revision of the Cambridge Business English Certificates. International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Conference, York, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2001. ‘Elements of Uncertainty’ – defining characteristics of the test taker. Language Testing Forum, University of Nottingham, November.
O’Sullivan, B. 2001. Investigating the effect of feedback during the rater training process: a multi-faceted Rasch approach. BAAL Conference, University of Reading, September. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2001. Modelling Factors Affecting Oral Language Test Performance: an empirical study. Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) Conference, Barcelona, June.
O’Sullivan, B., Weir, C. & ffrench, A. 2001. Task Difficulty in Testing Spoken Language: A Socio-cognitive Perspective. Language Testing Research Colloquium. St. Louis, USA, April. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2009. Placement Testing. Pre-Conference Event: Research Special Interest Group. IATEFL Annual Conference, Cardiff, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2007. Understanding and Acknowledging the Limitations of the CEFR And of Language Tests. Bilkent University, Turkey Annual Conference, June.
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Quality in Quantitative Research. Pre-Conference Event: Research Special Interest Group. IATEFL Annual Conference, Harrogate, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2005. The Testing of Language for Business Purposes. International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Pre-Conference Event organised by the Business English and Testing & Evaluation Special Interest Groups, Cardiff, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Computers in Language Testing: A Negative Perspective. Pre-conference Event – Debate: Computers in Language Testing. International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) Conference, Brighton, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2001. Applications of Multi-Faceted Rasch Analysis in Applied Linguistics Research. British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL) Summer School, September. 
O’Sullivan. B. 2009. Testing Language for Specific Purpose. Association of Language Testers in Europe, Meeting & Conference, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, April. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Analysing Test Tasks. Workshop, Staff Development Programme, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Writing ‘Good’ Multiple Choice Items. Workshop, Staff Development Programme, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Defining Task Specificity: a practical approach. Workshop, English for Specific Purposes Conference, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Issues in Rater Training for Testing Speaking and Writing – The Dyin’ Crapshooter’s Blues. Workshop, Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) Members Meeting, Bilbao, November. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Speaking Test Development: The Task in Hand. Workshop presented at the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) Members Meeting, St. Petersburg, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Issues in the Development of Speaking Tests: Applications of STANNAG 6001. TRUMP (NATO) seminar, Sofia, Bulgaria, March.
O’Sullivan, B. 2001. Developing Tests of Speaking. Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) Members Meeting, Budapest – workshop, November.
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Assessing language for medicine: theoretical and operational issues. Paper delivered as part of the Symposium ‘Healthcare Interaction & Assessment’. Co-ordinator Chris Candlin, other presenters: Celia Roberts and Chris Atwell (Kings College, London), John Skelton (Birmingham), Morton Rawlin (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners). Communication, Medicine & Ethics (COMET) Conference, Cardiff, June. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Assessing language for medicine: theoretical and operational issues. Paper delivered as part of the Symposium ‘Healthcare Interaction & Assessment’. Co-ordinator Chris Candlin, other presenters: Celia Roberts and Chris Atwell (Kings College, London), John Skelton (Birmingham), Morton Rawlin (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners). Communication, Medicine & Ethics (COMET) Conference, Cardiff, June. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2008. Theory and Practice in Classroom-Based Assessment, TESOL Virtual Seminars, September 24th.
O’Sullivan, B. & Simmons, T. 2001. Organiser of Language Testing Invited Thread (four seminars on various aspects of Performance Testing). TESOL Conference, St. Louis, USA, April.
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Review of ‘Assessment Practices’, Coombe, C. A. & Hubley, N. J., editors. Washington, DC: Tesol. Language Assessment Quarterly 3, 1: 87-90. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2005. Review of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In Stoynoff, S. and Chapelle, C.A. ESOL Tests and Testing. Alexandria VA: TESOL, 73-78 
O’Sullivan, B. 2005. Review of ‘Washback in language testing’, Cheng and Watanabe with Andy Curtis, editors. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Language Teaching Research 9,1: 133–142.
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Review of ‘ALTE Members: Multilingual Glossary of Language Testing Terms’. Studies in Language Testing, 6. Applied Linguistics, 23 (2): 273-275. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2001. Review of ‘Mark my Words: Assessing Second and Foreign Language Skills’, Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC), the University of Melbourne. TESOL Quarterly, 35, (1): 206-207. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2009. City & Guilds Achiever Level IESOL Examination (B2) CEFR Linking Project Case Study Report. City & Guilds Research Report. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2008. City & Guilds Communicator Level IESOL Examination (B2) CEFR Linking Project Case Study Report. City & Guilds Research Report. 
Bankov, K. & O’Sullivan, B. 2008. The Use of National Assessment Data for Quality Improvement at the School and Classroom Levels: Final Report. PHRD Grant for the preparation of the Second Social Sectors Institutional Reform Development Policy Loan (SIR DPL II), JPN 57777 
O’Sullivan, B., Hosny Gabr, A. and Metwally, W. 2007. Organisational and Impact Assessment for the National Center for Examinations and Educational Evaluation. Educational Reform Program (ERP) and Ministry of Education, Egypt.
O’Sullivan, B. & Higab, A. K. 2007. The Impact of the Education Enhancement and Effective School Programs on Primary and Preparatory Schools in Egypt. Ministry of Education, Egypt.
O’Sullivan, B. 2006. Review of Evaluation Report for EEP and Recommendations for ESP Final Evaluation Report. Ministry of Education, Egypt. 
Howell, B. & O’Sullivan, B. 2005. Examiner’s Report. Test of English for Educational Purposes. The University of Reading. 
O’Sullivan. 2005. A qualitative investigation of the effect of response mode on test-taker written performance: comparing test-taker writing on computer and with pen and paper. Cambridge ESOL/The British Council/ IDA Australia: IELTS Research Report.
O’Sullivan, B. & Weir, C. 2004. Final Report on the Evaluation of Language Assessment Systems at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman – April to July 2004
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Review of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Commissioned report for Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, UK. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Howell, B. 2004. Examiner’s Report. Test of English for Educational Purposes. The University of Reading. 
Williams, E., Montfort-Nayimfashe, L., Ntakirutimana, E. & O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Proficiency in French, English and Kinyarwanda in the higher education sector of the Rwandan education system: Final Report. Project Report for CfBT/DfES. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2004. Proficiency in French, English and Kinyarwanda in the primary and secondary sectors of the Rwandan education system: Report on the statistical analysis of the Higher Education data. Project Report for CfBT/DfES. 
O’Sullivan, B, Weir, C & Horai, T. 2004. Exploring difficulty in speaking tasks: an intra-task perspective. Cambridge ESOL/The British Council/ IDA Australia: IELTS Research Report. 
O’Sullivan, B. & Weir, C. 2004. Exploring difficulty in speaking tasks: an intra-task perspective. Cambridge ESOL/The British Council/ IDA Australia: IELTS Research Report 
Williams, E., Montfort-Nayimfashe, L., Ntakirutimana, E. & O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Proficiency in French, English and Kinyarwanda in the primary and secondary sectors of the Rwandan education system: Final Report. Project Report for CfBT/DfES. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Proficiency in French, English and Kinyarwanda in the primary and secondary sectors of the Rwandan education system: Report on the statistical analysis of the Primary and Secondary School data. Project Report for CfBT/DfES. 
O’Sullivan, B., Weir, C. & Yang, J. 2003. Does the computer make a difference? Reactions of candidates to a computer delivered versus traditional hand written academic forms of the IELTS writing component. Cambridge ESOL/The British Council/ IDA Australia: IELTS Research Report 
O’Sullivan, B. 2003. Examiner’s Report. Test of English for Educational Purposes. The University of Reading.
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Investigating variability in a test of second language writing ability. Research Notes, 7: 14-17. 
O’Sullivan, B. 2002. Some theoretical perspectives on testing language for specific purposes. Research Notes, 8: 2-4.
O’Sullivan, B. & Rignall, M. 2002. A longitudinal analysis of the effect of feedback on rater performance on the IELTS General Training writing module. Cambridge ESOL/The British Council/ IDA Australia: IELTS Research Report 
O’Sullivan, B. & Rignall, M. 2001. Assessing the value of multi-faceted Rasch bias analysis based feedback to raters for the IELTS Writing module. Cambridge ESOL/The British Council/ IDA Australia: IELTS Research Report 
O’Sullivan, B. 2001. IELTS General Training Writing Variability Project Report. Mimeo, Cambridge ESOL.
O’Sullivan, B. & Weir, C. 2001. Research Issues in Speaking Assessment. Research Issues in Testing Spoken Language. Mimeo: Internal research report commissioned by Cambridge ESOL.
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