iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 02/10/2026

Australian foodies: where can I find clotted cream in Australia?! I always love to have some when in England, but that means it's a long time between tastes!

Top of a tub of Rodda's classic Cornish clotted cream, with stylised picture of a Cornish lady in traditional dress, carrying two buckets full of milk

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 21/09/2026

I have some quite picturesque photos from York, but this one seems particularly important to share here...

British multistorey brick building with big chimneys in a busy road. The facade in the side has large red letters SKY BLUE CHINESE RESTAURANT, alongside Chinese characters

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 20/09/2026

Next, it was on to England, via the Eurostar. Big fan of international travel via train and this time was even better, after the THREE HOUR passport control queue at Brussels airport. Train travel never looked so good. After a short visit with family, it's on to York!

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 19/09/2026

Before leaving, I fit in a trip to the wonderful city museum, STAM. Again, I'd cycled past it 100s of times when I lived there, so it was so nice to actually take out a little time to visit and learn more about this lovely city. A few tears were shed when I said my goodbyes. Tot ziens!

Black text on white wall in Dutch, French and English. title reads "welcome to the story of Ghent"

large colourful map stretches across a white, illuminated floor and stretches up the back wall. some people in the background stand looking at it

an old pretty red coloured building with white trim is in the background of a green courtyard, viewed through a multi-paned glass window

trilingual black text on a white wall reads " the oldest description of Ghent comes from an Arabic scholar Ibn Al Idrisi in 1154. Across the top of the texts runs the description itself written in Arabic

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 19/09/2026

After the conference, I had some time for meetings with UGent and other colleagues all working on language in asylum and migration bureacracies. Future plans are looking bright - stand by for updates!

a meeting room table with a big window in the background overlooking a few streets from an elevated angle, with a cloudy sky and plenty of big trees

A big redbrick old building. in front of it is a garden, marquee and a row of bikes. The photo is framed by an old red brick wall with leafy vines hanging off it

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 19/09/2026

then came 3 days at the fab CESSMIR conference. First, I co-led a lively pre-conference workshop for PhDs/ECRs with @sophiebols.bsky.social and Ben Whitham. @nandosigona.bsky.social opened the conference with a great keynote, and everything that followed was equally engaging.

Sophie, Laura and Ben sit at the front of s classroom on a slightly elevated platform. The photographer is near the back of the room and there are lots of backs of people sitting and watching

Nando Sigona stands at a dias in the front of a lecture hall. The yellow and blue CESSMIR banner is behind him and Floor Verhaeghe stands to the side of the room, listening on. A number of people are sitting in the audience, watching too

A projected slide is on the screen at the front of a classroom. it features four large circles, labelled, Law, Anthropology, Linguistics, Psychology. There are round circles with people's faces all around the circles and their names are listed in each of the four circles. The slide is entited Team.

six people sit at the front of a lecture hall, next to a yellow and blue CESSMIR banner.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 19/09/2026

On the weekend, I managed to fit in a little time for some tourist stuff that I missed out on while living here in 2023, and caught up with some dear friends

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 17/09/2026

The trip started with the great honour and joy of serving on the jury for Lotte Remue's PhD public defence. Her fabulous research was on the guardians who assist unaccompanied minors and has already led to multiple excellent publications research.flw.ugent.be/nl/lotte.remue

Laura wears a black and yellow academic gown, holding a microphone and speaking, while sitting at a table. Marie, dressed similarly, watches on. We're both smiling

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 16/09/2026

A busy and amazing week in Ghent is almost over! So grateful for the opportunity to visit this special place once again and spend time thinking and talking about interesting and important topics with brilliant minds

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 11/09/2026

While I was tempted to buy it, I left this Caloundra Bowls Club jacket behind... how I wonder how it reached an op shop in Ghent!

Bright yellow zipped jacket with Caloundra Bowls Club logos

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 11/09/2026

Sometimes forgetting your coat gives you just the level of challenge you need to keep you awake until evening time. Op shop visit ✅

A street with three level historical buildings, grey pavement and road, trees, vines, and blue cloudy sky

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 08/09/2026

Back on the road again, excited for another trip to Belgium and a quick trip to England too! Such a busy work time and early summer weather that I forgot to pack a coat! 🫣

Laura sitting at station, smiling in a selfie next to a blue suitcase

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 02/08/2026

Finally read this incredible book - Chai time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran. www.sbs.com.au/audio/podcas...

Green and colourful paperback sitting on a timber surface

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 22/07/2026

In academia, we spend a lot of time applying for things... it seems like constantly, sometimes. So this makes this award very special - I had no idea I was being nominated, and had no expectation that I'd win it. A really touching surprise all round 🩷

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 27/06/2026

So I'm just back from two weeks in Belgium and it was so (good) busy I didn't have time to post, so I'm belatedly beginning with something I brought back home. I'm calling it "for science".

Two blocks of côté d'or milk chocolate with paper wrappers. They look the same in their style, white background, red lettering, but one is primarily in Dutch and the other primarily in French. They say Tu as de la force comme les red flames/ jij bent een krak zoals de red flames, with a picture of a woman with handwritten name Tessa Wullaert

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 07/05/2026

So great to celebrate with Rukiya at her PhD graduation on Tuesday. My first PhD supervision, and as principal supervisor, and a really wonderful experience all round 🤗

Three women in graduation gowns and caps, posing in front of a brick building, with big smiles

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 11/04/2026

My kid just hole punched this cute paper flower which seemed on theme

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 18/03/2026

Today I introduced the White Australia Policy and its dictation test to primary school students (aged 8 to 13). They had to attempt a real dictation test. The verdict: way too hard. The way it was used: totally unfair. #HarmonyWeek

Laptop with slide open on Australia's dictation test, printed notes and jacket on on school desk

Laura in a mirror selfie, dressed in long brown skirt and brown jacket and wearing glasses, holding up dictation test examples towards mirror.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 27/02/2026

Food part two today: get yourself a 9 year old kid who's been wanting to make pickled octopus for ages. "This is the best day ever". (I did nothing other than take this photo)

Metal pot on stove top filled with reddish water, onion, carrot and lots of octopuses

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 27/02/2026

Got some figs today, which I rarely ever have and they sparked two very different travel memories. The first, 2014, in a small town in the Turkish-Syrian border, where we were fed a full delicious bowl of them. Second, in Belgium in 2023, from my colleague's tree -hadn't expected them to grow there!

Two figs cut in half and lying on a wooden board

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 25/02/2026

Meet my friend wilderness.org.au/sugar-gliders

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 12/02/2026

The little Greek dictionary I bought about 20 years ago in my undergrad languages degree is finally paying off (9 year old decided he wants to write a book/ create a Greek myth) 😅

Open paperback Greek English dictionary next to an A4 sheet of paper with μεγάλο στόμα διάβολος written in messy kid writing

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 07/02/2026

Weekend beach holiday is complete with some local language learning (10/10 to the holiday house owner 🥰🤩)

Orange book with multicoloured painting. Gumbaynggir Dictionary and Learner's Grammar. Steve Morelli.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 27/01/2026

I saw some epic stag horns on the weekend. #Langsky I'd love to know what these are called in other languages (the plants growing on the trees)

Tall trees with several large stag horns growing on them, 4wd car in bottom right corner included for scariest. Style of the stag horns are very big

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 26/01/2026

From what I understand, the closest meaning would be just recompense for good or bad deeds. Great rice nonetheless!

Online Arabic Student's Dictionary definitionof jazaa
requital, repayment‎
• recompense, return‎
• compensation, setoff‎
• amends, reparation‎
• punishment, penalty‎
• نقدي‎ جزاء‎ (naqdī) fine n

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 26/01/2026

Interestingly the definition of جزاء used by the brand seems to require a certain amount of poetic licence...

Black circle with blessings in each plate written inside.

Back of pack with lots of nutritional information in lots of languages. Description at the top, explaining the meaning of jazaa as blessing

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 26/01/2026

Love a creative language-related label! Here, the brand logo features the Arabic word جزاء combined with its transliteration jazaa with the j and ز one letter

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 06/01/2026

I found them on instagram! Plot twist: they seem to enjoy travelling to Mexico.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 03/01/2026

And first book of the new year is by another wonderful Australian author, Michelle de Kretser. Can't put this one down. www.theguardian.com/books/austra...

Softcover book with colourful illustrations of birds, plants, the Sydney harbour Bridge, boats, a red star and red pot

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 09/12/2025

Thanks, Australian government. Now we're all expected to deliver our ID to random companies on the internet for safe keeping.

Bluesky message: you must complete age assurance in order to access this screen. Due to laws in your region, certain features on Bluesky are currently restricted until you're able to verify you're an adult.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 01/12/2025

Also, because I've had the.. pleasure... of going through Australian borders a couple of times recently, let's re-up this one from a great project with Ingrid Piller (@languageonthemove.bsky.social) and @htorsh.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/laur... On the Border Security tv show 📸from recent travels

Qantas sign at airport check-in in Manila: your checked baggage is subject to additional security checks. Ensure your baggage is unlocked and free of any wrapping. Present baggage to security staff are (sic) directed.

Screen on back of emirates aeroplane seat with large text: don't be 'sorry', just declare it (with Arabic captions at the bottom)

Screen on back of emirates aeroplane seat with a blue suitcase open, filled with what looks like "exotic" souvenirs made of wood and other natural materials. Arabic captions at the bottom.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 29/11/2025

At PAFLL's first biennial conference Prof Rachelle @lerache.bsky.social shared her latest research, with cross-disciplinary colleagues, observing court hearings involving Indigenous people. Court rules require proceedings to be in English, even if all participants share another L1.

Prof Rachelle presents on stage. Slide presentation reads: consumption of discourse. The primary consumers or audience were the judge + lawyers. They depend on the interpreter to "consume" the witness's meaning. When translation fails, the judge becomes dissatisfied and intervenes. Judge simplifies phrasing ("where the sun rises"). Judge uses Kankanaey (an Indigenous language of the Cordilleras region) to bypass interpreter.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 29/11/2025

Not exactly language, but an interesting story behind the Christmas decorations currently going up in the Town Hall/ local government in Malaybalay City. This year the theme/ goal is to incorporate local products throughout the displays. Christmas tree is made of colourful woven fans and straw hats

Colourful Christmas tree under construction, surrounded by bamboo scaffolding

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 29/11/2025

Know where your entry fee is going. Full transparency on display here..

Lake Apo sign with 100 peso entrance fee. Breakdown of total: Barangay (local government area/quarter) share 20 pesos, tribal share 5 pesos, sitio lake apo share 5 pesos, admin free 70 pesos

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 29/11/2025

Visiting a Benedictine monastery, seeing an amazing collection of art and vestments, incorporating Indigenous fabrics and styles. I was trying to figure out what the Arabic text read, before being informed it was the script of a local language

Ornate gold woven framed with with Ave Maria on the bottom. There's also some text which looked like Arabic (to be at least). Painted angel meeting Mary. The figures are colourful and the angel is wearing traditional Filipino clothing and hat, and Mary traditional Filipino clothing

Ornate gold woven framed with with Ave Maria on the bottom and golden figures. There's also some text which looked like Arabic (to be at least)

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 29/11/2025

Speaking of Spanish, check out this caution sign at the domestic airport terminal in Manila

Yellow fold out plastic safety sign. Warning in two languages: Caution wet floor, Cuidado piso mojado

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 29/11/2025

Meanwhile, outside the Indigenous Women Weavers Cooperative in Malaybalay city, we noticed Spanish dominating the linguistic landscape

Decorative arch over a set of steps by the edge of a road, with green grass and trees on either side. A message is painted on it: Venir otra vez

Concrete wall painted white, with I ❤️ la calle de cuatro niñas in brown painted letters and 4 cartoon girls painted next to it. Three motor bikes are parked in the foreground and the area is green with trees and bushes

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 29/11/2025

A tour around various lovely places in Bukidnon brought us some more interesting things in the linguistic landscape, like this set of rules, communicated in three different ways

Big white sign, lake apo, rules and regulations, with a numbered list of ten rules, written in black text for English, red text for Tagalog underneath and pictures with red circle and line through them, indicating the prohibited activities visually too

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 25/11/2025

But just metres away, this cool wall display... 🤗

Printed A4 landscape sign, surrounded by posters with colourful drawings and slogans. Sign says:
"Weaving culture, enriching future empowering. Indigenous communities as bedrock of sustainable development"
IS 101 Bukidnon cultural studies with integrating IP
studies in teaching
Presents
A poster and slogan exhibit.

Zoomed out view of the whole wall covered with colourful posters

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 25/11/2025

University linguistic landscape, featuring some language policy/ policing....

Sign on a white wall with big capital letters: SPEAK ENGLISH

Sign on a wall in a stairwell with dot point list of commands: observe silence. Dispose your garbage properly. Speak in English. Keep right.

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 25/11/2025

New trip, new posts! Travelling in Bukidnon province in the Philippines. This first dinner was at a tuna restaurant, where every dish featured tuna prepared in different ways. The condiments provided a written reminder. Food linguistic landscape

Crumbed nuggets and fries in a dish with ketchup and mayonnaise writing of the word TUNA

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 25/11/2025

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 26/10/2025

"This election is also yours" Election placards have just gone up in Copenhagen and only one party that I can see has engaged multilingualism as part of their campaign.

Row of 10 white election placards tied to a bridge with boats and buildings in the background. Bright green and magenta pink text, each in one of ten different languages

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 25/10/2025

Really enjoyed the Hidden Cities tour in Copenhagen. Check out all the cities covered via the website historycityapps.org

Small original door at the Trinity Church

Black door and red brick, the Royal College

Green bust outside what was once the Anatomy House

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 24/10/2025

Just wrapped up a very full and incredibly insightful and collegial two day workshop experience on (Re)constructing credibility on refugee status determination. I think my head will be buzzing for days or weeks to come!

Table top with workshop booklet and mug with matching colourful design some note paper, my laptop and a sign with my name and university on it

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 23/10/2025

A great way to end the first day of a great workshop on refugee credibility at Copenhagen university- a keynote from Hilary Evans Cameron, reflecting on the work we do and why we do it

Hilary standing at dias, screen with slide with picture of tapestry with statement "let's not call people liars for stupid reasons", next to banner for the mobile research centre

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Dr Laura Smith-Khan @lawandlanguage.org · 22/10/2025

Not near as cool as the Habibi banner, but this final post for Hamburg comes courtesy of a lift at the station: I always appreciate an explanatory legend for clarity - even in English I often find lift button letters very ambiguous!

Buttons in a lift, with W, B and G. Legend shows B=Bahnsteig, W=Wandelhalle, G=Galerie

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