My research agenda is driven by a deep commitment to exploring the dynamic interplay between language, literacy, culture, and technology in shaping contemporary educational experiences. My work aims to generate critical insights and practical frameworks that empower learners and educators to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Currently, my efforts are primarily focused on two interconnected research lines, underpinned by a strong dedication to fostering transnational collaborations and advocating for diverse voices in global scholarship.

This research line delves into the critical analysis and design of multimodal texts and media, significantly contributing to the concept of Multimodal Conscientização (MCZ), a framework I've developed with past and present graduate students (Mora et al., 2022). MCZ extends the foundational work of Multimodal Critical Consciousness (MCC; Mora, 2017b), aiming to:

...engage and introduce learners into larger questions about power dynamics and issues of inequity present in language and society. The goal of Multimodal Critical Consciousness is to disrupt traditional assumptions of what young and novice [language] learners can do with language, transcending simplistic and reductionist views of language use. MCC intends to help learners gain more agency in their learning process, particularly when it comes to languages, whether to promote empowerment or defy entitlement. (Defining the Term, p. 2-3)

Building upon successful piloting initiatives, I aim to expand this research through a multi-pronged approach. This includes exploring MCZ as a powerful tool for analyzing multimodal texts from a deeper critical perspective, directly linked to transformative educational efforts worldwide. A key development within this line is the integration of AI Literacies, framing a critical, historical, and proactive view of how Artificial Intelligence impacts communication, learning, and society. My research will investigate how educators and learners can develop literacies to not just consume, but actively understand, navigate, and ethically shape AI in what I describe as "zero-gravity spaces"—fluid and emergent contexts where AI reshapes our interactions with knowledge and communication. This approach will involve transdisciplinary collaboration with educators and scholars in diverse educational settings.

This research line investigates the profound role of popular culture and various media forms, particularly among youth, in shaping language learning processes. My previous work has explored how young people leverage the cultures of fandom, comics, and video games to develop mastery in additional languages, and how this mastery fosters a deeper connoisseurship of their topics of interest.
I will continue to pursue comparative studies building on existing data, alongside new inquiries that more deeply explore the influences of comics, social media, and broader gaming communities on language learning. This research aims to identify pedagogical implications, demonstrating how educators can harness these powerful cultural phenomena as rich resources for language acquisition and the development of diverse literacies.

Building directly on the successful development of the Language-as-Victory (LaV) framework from my gaming literacies research, this new research line aims to expand its application beyond video games to a broader range of physical and digital cultural spaces. My agenda includes exploring how the LaV framework can illuminate language and literacy practices within diverse contexts such as:

• Analog Games: Board games, card games, role-playing games.
• Fandom and Cosplay Communities: Analyzing the linguistic and multimodal literacies involved in creating, performing, and engaging with these cultures.
• Comics and Graphic Narratives: Investigating how the structure and consumption of these media foster specific language and literacy developments.
• Other Digital Cultures: Exploring emerging online communities and platforms where unique linguistic and literacy practices thrive.

This line of inquiry seeks to redefine and expand our understanding of "gamification" by applying the LaV framework's insights into motivation, progression, and engagement across these varied cultural landscapes. By analyzing these spaces, my research will offer novel perspectives on how individuals develop and utilize multiple languages and literacies in authentic, self-driven contexts, providing new pedagogical avenues for language education.

A cornerstone of my research agenda is the cultivation of robust transnational collaborations and the expansion of global research networks. I am actively invested in fostering partnerships across various academic communities, recognizing the immense potential for enriched insights when diverse perspectives converge.
My commitment to transnational collaboration is closely tied to my advocacy efforts to promote research in and from the Global South. I firmly believe in strengthening ties with research communities in regions like Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and other nations, ensuring their vital contributions shape broader international discourse. This global approach not only enriches the depth and relevance of my own studies but also provides expanded opportunities for international research grants and diverse funding options, ultimately fostering more inclusive and impactful scholarship worldwide.