Biography
Mohammad Shehadeh studies the relationship between language, institutions and the accounts they produce. His writing asks how a person’s words become evidence, how translation changes what is recorded, and how those choices affect whether someone is believed.
He founded Translational Justice to investigate these questions through research and public writing. His book, The Manifesto of Translational Justice, explores language and power across settings including asylum interviews, courtrooms and digital systems.
His work on asylum interpretation has appeared in the Refugee Law Initiative blog and Legal Action, published by Legal Action Group. In November 2025, he spoke at TEDxTrafford about the cultural meaning that can be lost in translation.
- Name
- Mohammad Shehadeh
- Based in
- Manchester, United Kingdom
- Areas of work
- Linguistics, classical languages, artificial intelligence, Translational Justice and asylum interpretation
Research & projects
Translational Justice
A research and writing project on the role of language in institutional decisions. Mohammad’s published investigation draws on conversations with immigration practitioners, an interpreter and a professional standards body to examine how interpreting arrangements shape asylum records. It asks how changes introduced through interpretation can be attributed to the person giving testimony.
Project 52
A public letter-writing project created by Mohammad, built around one letter to a world leader each week for 52 weeks. The letters address accountability and the use of language in decisions that affect people’s lives.
The Lexicon Project
A revision platform Mohammad created for Latin, Greek and English Literature, with word-by-word annotation and feedback to support students’ study.
Selected publications
Published articles, a book and research preprints by Mohammad Shehadeh. Preprints are listed separately from publications in external outlets.
Articles in external outlets
- The Interpreter was the Variable: Implications for Credibility in Asylum Claims
Refugee Law Initiative blog · 12 May 2026. - New voices: Interpreting what is heard and understood
Legal Action, Legal Action Group · Published online · May 2026 issue.
Book
The Manifesto of Translational Justice — Mohammad’s book on translation, language and power.
Preprints
- Grice at the Border: Pragmatic Expectations in UK Asylum Disclosure — SSRN · Listed as posted 22 September 2026.
- Translation Literacy in Asylum Interpreting: A Pilot Study of TRACE and Structured Reflection — LingBuzz · August 2026.
- U comin’ or not? Systemic Erosion and Tense Loss in Singaporean English — LingBuzz · December 2025.
See the full publications list, including forthcoming writing and policy work.
The Words I Had to Leave Behind
Mohammad’s TEDxTrafford talk explores the relationship between language and culture, and what happens when words cross between languages. The talk is also referenced in his Legal Action article.
Profiles & contact
Find Mohammad’s professional profile and publisher biography:
For research, speaking, press and collaboration enquiries:
shehadehmohammad099@gmail.com