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Squib published In: Journal of Second Language Pronunciation
Vol. 12:1 (2026) ► pp.114–130

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Brief report

A collaborative journey in pronunciation

Lessons from a community-engaged accent bias project

ORCiD logo with link | Concordia University
ORCiD logo with link | Concordia University
ORCiD logo with link | Concordia University
ORCiD logo with link | Simon Fraser University
 | Concordia University
 | Independent researcher
 | Independent researcher
 | Independent researcher
 | Independent researcher
 | Independent researcher
 | Independent researcher
 | Independent researcher
 | Concordia University
 | Concordia University
 | Concordia University
 | Concordia University
ORCiD logo with link | Simon Fraser University | University of Calgary
ORCiD logo with link | Concordia University
Open Access logo
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Open Access publication of this article was funded through a Transformative Agreement with Concordia University.

Published online: 15 January 2026
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel
Abstract
While research on accent bias has demonstrated the potential real-world impact of speaking with a second language accent, the results of this work rarely make their way into the hands of practitioners. Inspired by participatory action research models, this contribution responds to calls to more actively engage community members in research. Co-researchers in the current project include 18 individuals in two cities, Montreal and Burnaby (Canada): six academic facilitators, seven undergraduate HR management majors, and five community members unaffiliated with a university. The collaborative work included an introductory workshop focused on the establishment of a shared understanding of accent bias along with a series of co-design and implementation meetings. The work culminated in the creation of 10 mini-projects focused on raising awareness about accent bias. We share details of the process, insights from community members, and recommendations for those wishing to undertake a similar journey.
Article outline
  • 1.Project background
  • 2.Project motivation and goal
  • 3.The project
    • 3.1Research collective
    • 3.2Project structure
    • 3.3Mini-projects
  • 4.Co-researcher experience
  • 5.Project challenges
  • 6.Summary and recommendations
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Note
  • References
References (33)
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