Research into remote interpreting (RI) has investigated how interpreters and their clients interact with and through different technologies, especially telephone and video links. Across different institutional settings this research has analysed, for example, the quality of the interpreter's performance and a range of psychological and physiological factors associated with RI, the dynamics of participant interaction, and the strategies that interpreters develop to cope with, and adapt to, this modality of interpreting. The knowledge about RI gained to date has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of its complexities and has begun to inform education and policies and to improve the practice of RI. At the same time, many key questions and concerns remain to be resolved. Among them is the impact that individual variables (e.g. technological and ergonomic parameters, specific features of an interpreting assignment, experience) and broader social and environmental factors (e.g. working conditions, available training, remuneration) have on quality of service and interaction. Further investigation of these issues may provide explanations for the partially inconsistent findings generated by RI research in different institutional settings to date. It will also help identify key factors for educating interpreters and clients about RI and facilitate the development of evidence-based guidance on RI. Against this backdrop, this presentation will begin by providing an overview of key research findings, focussing on findings that warrant further investigation and findings that are particularly relevant from an educational point of view. The second part of the presentation will discuss future directions of RI practice, including, for example, the likely diversification of RI through technological innovation and growing demand, and will outline research questions that arise from the evolving practice.
