Eric W. Campbell

Eric W. Campbell is an Associate Professor and Department Co-chair in the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). His research focuses on typological, functional, and community-based approaches to phonology, morphology, syntax, and historical linguistics, with a specialization in Otomanguean languages of Mexico and California, particularly Chatino, Zapotec, and Mixtec. He holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin (2014).

Education:

• 2014 Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin

Research Interests: Campbell’s work emphasizes diachronic and typological perspectives in linguistic theory, fieldwork with endangered languages, and community collaboration. He leads projects such as MILPA (Mexican Indigenous Language Promotion and Advocacy) and JSILO (Justicia Social de Intérpretes de Lenguas Originaria), focusing on language documentation, revitalization, and social justice. His recent studies explore tone systems, inflectional classes, and the intersection of language and culture in Mesoamerica.

Teaching & Grants: Campbell teaches courses in field methods, historical linguistics, and syntax. He has received grants for community-centered documentation projects, including work with the Mixtec diaspora in California and workshops for Otomanguean speakers in Mexico. His efforts bridge academic linguistics with community needs, emphasizing ethical collaboration and technology-driven preservation.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Chatino Language Documentation Project, the PDLMA (Project for the Documentation of the Languages of Mesoamerica), and interdisciplinary teams in UCSB’s Linguistics Department. His research often involves native speaker partnerships, such as with Tranquilino Cavero Ramírez and the Zenzontepec Chatino community.