Professor Luke Harding has recently started a two-year term as President of the International Language Testing Association (ILTA).

ILTA was established in 1992 as "a group of language testing and assessment scholars and practitioners who together define what it means to be a language tester" (iltaonline.com). The association's purpose is to promote the improvement of language testing throughout the world, including through workshops and conferences, leadership and the development of public understanding of the profession.

The President represents and coordinates the association and leads its strategic planning. Professor Harding's tenure will include two iterations of ILTA's annual conference, the Language Testing Research Colloquium: in Bangkok, Thailand, in June this year, and in Montreal, Canada, in June 2026. Previously, Professor Harding was elected and served as Vice President (2023-2024).

Professor Harding said, "ILTA is a vibrant association with members from all over the world working in educational institutions, government departments, non-profit organisations and industry. What they have in common is a shared interest in promoting good practice in language assessment, sharing research, and providing opportunities for mentorship and professional development. I am excited to serve as ILTA President for the next two years during a time of significant change in the world of language testing as AI, in particular, raises a number of opportunities and challenges for practitioners."

This is not the first time a scholar from Lancaster University has held this important role. Emeritus Professor Charles Alderson was ILTA President in its early days, in 1993-1994, and Dr. Caroline Clapham held the role in 2001.