Akbar Sikder

Akbar is a hearing child of two deaf parents, growing up bilingual in English and BSL. He holds a BA (Honours) in French and Linguistics and an MA (Merit) in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Manchester. He is a Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) and Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) with the NRCPD. He is fluent in English, BSL, French, and French Sign Language (LSF).

He is qualified in both spoken language and signed language interpreting and translation and has been working as a professional signed language interpreter since 2009 (qualified 2018). He is experienced in a wide range of domains, specialising in education, legal, Islamic settings and broadcast media, including BBC News and Parliament TV.

He has authored a number of publications on interpreting and translation, including his groundbreaking article ‘Power Down’ – examining the lack of ethnic diversity in the signed language interpreting profession – published in Newsli and VIEWS in 2020. He is a founding member of the Interpreters of Colour Network (IOCN) and served on the Board from 2020-2022. In 2022, he was awarded the IOCN Evolution Award in recognition of his ‘outstanding contribution to the network and the signed language interpreting profession’.

Akbar is a qualified teacher and A1 assessor for the BSL, interpreting and translation qualifications. This includes working closely with awarding bodies on the development and assessment of BSL, interpreting and translation qualifications, and with the NRCPD as a Professional Standards Advisor. He was the course convenor for 2 modules on the MA Translation programme at University College London.