Education

2012-2021. PhD, Education, University of Bristol, U.K.
1999-2003. Masters of Applied Linguistics & Exegesis, Trinity Western University - ACTS Seminary
2001-2002. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language Certificate, Trinity Western University
1988-1992. Bachelor of Theology, Master's College and Seminary

Professional Experience

2014-present. President, Canada Institute of Linguistics

2012-present. Doctoral Researcher at University of Bristol studying issues of social exclusion among minoritized language communities and policy issues related to language-in-education.

2010-2012. Director of Training and Development, Uganda-Tanzania Branch of SIL International with a focus on capacity-building and professional development in cross-cultural teamwork.

2004-2009. Training Coordinator, Uganda-Tanzania Branch of SIL International implementing linguistic training for the purpose of language development among19 Eastern Bantu language communities.

2001-2003. Instructor in Linguistics at Canada Institute of Linguistics where Itaught and assisted in the teaching of phonetics, phonology, grammar, field methods, lexicography, and philosophy of language.

Research interests

Policy issues related to minoritized languages, educational development, capability approach, critical discourse analysis, linguistic citizenship, language of instruction, mother tongue-based multilingual education

Publications

Foster, D. (2023). (Socio)linguistic Citizenship in Rural Tanzania: A Perspective from the Capability Approach. In J. Gspandl, C. Korb, A. Heiling, & E. Erling (Eds.), The Power of Voice in Transforming Multilingual Societies (No. 29; pp. 123–145). Multilingual Matters.

Foster, D. (2024). Language of instruction attitudes in rural Tanzania. In C. Reilly, F. Chimbutane, J. Clegg, C. Rubagumya, & E. J. Erling (Eds.), Multilingual Learning Assessment, Ideologies and Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 123–145). Routledge.