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Everyday language is powerful: it reflects and constructs a view of the world. This influences and constrains what people feel able to think, do and say.

Kirstie has over 25 years' experience helping organizations navigate cultural change. She’s particularly interested in identifying the underlying assumptions and gaps in understanding that get in the way of effective communication between organizations and the people they want to connect with. Kirstie works with a range of methodologies from language science to organizational discourse analysis. She draws on analytical frameworks such as discourse analysis, sociolinguistics and conversation analysis.

Experience and achievements

Founder of Illume Linguistics, which helps private, public and third sector organizations use insights from language to shape communications and guide behavior change
Recently worked with a government department to develop a common language around tackling racism/discrimination and with an international charity to develop language to communicate impact to donors
Worked as a partner at Linguistic Landscapes where clients included The Alzheimer’s Society, HMRC, British Airways and Openreach
Has an MA in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford