Language in the Sky: Can Linguistics Shape Airline Safety?

Language in the Sky: Can Linguistics Shape Airline Safety?

Flying is one of the safest ways to travel, but have you ever wondered what role language plays in keeping it that way?

Join Paul Fernandez, a Postgraduate Researcher at the University of Surrey with a background in aviation, for an eye-opening evening that blends real-world airline stories, fascinating insights from linguistics, and a behind-the-scenes look at how flight crews from around the world work together in high-pressure situations.

Through engaging stories, audience Q&A, and accessible explanations, Paul will explore:

• How airline communication has changed over the past 30 years

• The ways linguists investigate and understand the impact of language on safety

• Personal experiences from working in aviation and transitioning into research

• The big question: how do multilingual flight crews make sure that everyone stays safe at 30,000 feet?

Paul explains his motivation for hosting this talk and sharing his research findings;

“I’m keen to help particularly young people to understand how social science investigates real world problems. I want to show how curiosity about questions can be directed into investigation—and how that journey can open doors to careers people might never have considered.”

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, curious about how social science solves real-world problems, or just want a stimulating evening out, this event promises to change the way you think about every announcement you’ve ever heard on a plane!

FREE admission, refreshments provided. This event is supported by the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025.

See our full programme here: Buy tickets – University of Surrey

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