Laura Demsey

Laura Demsey is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Romance Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She specializes in French linguistics, focusing on language contact and second language acquisition. Her research examines French in contact with English in North America and the linguistic patterns of heritage speakers.

Education:

• Ph.D., French Linguistics, Indiana University, 2022
• M.A., French Linguistics, Indiana University, 2015
• B.A., French and Linguistics, Binghamton University – State University of New York, 2010

Her research interests include sociolinguistic variation, bilingualism, and pedagogy. She emphasizes creating inclusive language-learning environments that develop all five language skills and cultural competence in global Francophone contexts.

Awards include the 2022 Faculty Mentoring Award and the 2021 President’s Prize for best presentation at the Linguistic Association of Canada and the United States conference. She has also received multiple grants and awards for her doctoral research and teaching excellence.

Demsey coordinates the FREN 101/102 sequence, foundational courses in French language instruction. She prioritizes student engagement and affective support in introductory courses to foster long-term language development. Her contributions to pedagogical materials, such as the FREN 102 Course Pack (2022), reflect her commitment to innovative teaching.