“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.”

Rollo May

Summer has definitely arrived and with it, fruits start to sprout. In ASYRAS (Association of Young Researchers on Anglophone Studies), our harvest comes in the form of this volume of GAUDEAMUS, which gathers the data, findings and hard work that a group of young researchers have been cultivating during the past few months. 

            This journal was created to satisfy one of the basic needs of human beings in general, and researchers in particular, which is that of communication. Communication is present in our everyday activities and should also be considered as one of the essential tasks that researchers need to perform as part of their job. What is the point of conducting research, coming up with some interesting findings and not telling anyone? The results of our work become powerful when shared with other members of the community and that is the moment when we, as researchers, become successful. In the end, these communicative practices create value, not only for the researcher, but also for the community.  

            There is a saying that goes “if not communicated, it does not exist”, and in this case, it applies perfectly. Therefore, if we understand communication as an essential activity of researchers, then the communicative skills should not be left behind. Cultivating these abilities will foster effective communication that results in embellishing the fruits of our work. Effective communication will contribute to making our research more accessible, understandable and, in the end, more valuable.  

            This volume of GAUDEAMUS contributes to the dissemination of knowledge and research of young scholars who are starting their academic careers and are looking for a place in the academic world. The association ASYRAS believes in communication and community, so our journal is intended to adding value to the academic community that will definitely benefit from the ideas, conclusions and creativity of these young researchers. 

            In words of the American psychologist Rollo May, “communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing”, and this is exactly the purpose of our journal GAUDEAMUS, but also the moving force of the association ASYRAS. It is a space built for and with the help of young researchers in order to create a community where mutual valuing and mutual understanding are the core principles. 

            Finally, I would like to thank the authors for their high-quality contributions, but above all, for their commitment, effort and support as ASYRAS members. A big thanks, also, to the editorial board of GAUDEAMUS, who not only carefully but also happily make possible the publication of this volume. To the editorial team and the executive board of ASYRAS, it is inspiring working with you. 

            Now, enjoy reading through the following pages.

Laura García Fernández

First Secretary of ASYRAS and Co-Editor of Gaudeamus

Table of Contents

Credits (pp. 1-4)

Foreword (pp. 5-6)

Articles

Sofía Alférez Mendia

Telecollaborative Exchanges and Higher Education: Negotiation of Meaning in Interactions between Spanish and Japanese Students (pp. 53-79)

Patricia Guill-Garcia

Language and Performativity: An Exploration of Gender and Racial Identities in T. Kingfisher’s Swordheart

Beatriz Hermida Ramos

Heteronormative Technology: Jeanette Winterson’s Outlook for Progress

Claudia Martori

Notes

Bionotes of contributors (pp. 157-159)

Editorial policy and author guidelines (pp. 161-166)

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