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Maddi Dorronsoro Olamusu

dorronsoro@ecmi.de

Maddi is a researcher at the ECMI, with a keen interest in minority language maintenance and revitalization. Her research focuses on communities with a high density of Basque speakers, examining the responses of the Basque-speaking community to sociolinguistic changes brought about by new, non-Basque-speaking immigration. Previously, she studied the intersections between urbanism, migration, and language.

She holds an MSc in Research in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Edinburgh (UK), an MRes in Research in Social Anthropology from the University of Aberdeen (UK), and a BA in Social Anthropology from the University of the Basque Country (Spain). For the latter, she was awarded the Spanish National End-of-Degree Award in Social and Legal Sciences (2016-2017).

Before joining the ECMI, Maddi worked as a researcher and project manager in various associations and institutions. She is also currently a Research Assistant at the University of Oxford on the project ‘The Stigmatization of Political Ideologies’.

In addition, she collaborates with local Basque-language newspapers and blogs, and has volunteered in Basque-language groups, both as an advisor and a researcher, on different projects measuring language use on the street and in cultural activities. Maddi is fluent in Basque, Spanish, and English, and possesses a good knowledge of Italian.

Publications

Heinzova, Pavlína and Dorronsoro Olamusu, Maddi. “Towards Equitable Treatment of Speech-Language Impairments in Minority-Language Speakers”. ECMI Minorities Blog. 12 May 2025. https://doi.org/10.53779/AQMM2333

Dorronsoro Olamusu, Maddi. “When Euskara meets Cymraeg: Reflections on a research visit to Wales”. Eurac Research (blog). 23 April 2025.  https://doi.org/10.57708/BBQIS7O5PQOEWK_WCNLGBNG

 

Academic conference/Workshop Participation

International Conference on Minority Languages (ICML), Universidad Externado de Colombia, 24-27 July 2025.

  • Presentation: ‘Language attitudes in the “breathing spaces” of Basque: what do traditional speakers say?’;  
  • Presentation: ‘From academia, through media, and back to the community: the development of the concept of ‘breathing spaces’ in the Basque Country’. 

Bilingualism Matters Symposium (BMS), University of Edinburgh, 24 March 2025. 

  • Presentation: ‘Language and Social Attitudes in the Basque Heartlands: the perceptions and perspectives of traditional speakers’.  

News from the field International Seminar. University of the Basque Country (Donostia-San Sebastián). 19 December 2024. 

  • Presentation: ‘Doing fieldwork at home: the (dis)advantages of studying your own community’. 

International Symposium on Language Ideologies and Attitudes (IDEOLING), Universitat de les Illes Balears, 19 October 2024. 

  • Presentation: ‘Navigating new scenarios: Basque “breathing spaces” and immigration’.  

UACES Annual Conference (Trento, Italy), 3 September 2024.

  • Presentation: ‘Basque Media Outlets Use of TikTok to Reach Different Audience Segments’. Co-author Craig Willis. 
Invited/Guest talks

Galtzaundi Tolosaldeako Euskaltzaleen Elkartea Annual Meeting (Ikaztegieta, Basque Country), 26 May 2025. 
Guest lecture: ‘Arnasguneetako ahotsak: bertako euskaldunen hizkuntza-jarrerak'. 

NPLD Annual Conference ‘Sustainable Development of High Vitality Areas for Minority Languages’, (Iruña-Pamplona, Spain), 9 May 2025. 
Keynote: ‘Minority Languages and “High-Vitality Areas”: From Definitions to Everyday Experiences’. 

Commission for Welsh-Speaking Communitites, (Merthyr Tydfil, Wales). 17 February 2025. 
Guest lecture: ‘Looking at the “arnasguneak”: attitudes of Basque speakers towards demolinguistic change’. 

Zentrum für kleine un regionale Sprachen (KURS) (Europa-Universität Flensburg), 11 December 2024.
Guest lecture with Craig Willis: Basque Media Outlets’ Use of TikTok to Reach Different Audience Segments
 

Media appearances

ECMI Founders

The German Federal Government
The Danish Government
The Federal State Schleswig-Holstein