Gregory Ward is Professor of Linguistics, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and Philosophy at Northwestern University. His work bridges pragmatic theory, information structure, and intonational meaning, with a focus on reference/anaphora. He has taught courses like Pragmatics (LING 372) and Language & Gender (GSS 234), receiving the E. LeRoy Hall Award for Excellence in Teaching (2012). BA in Comparative Literature and Linguistics (1978, UC Berkeley) PhD in Linguistics (1985, University of Pennsylvania) His research explores how contextual meaning shapes linguistic structures, including demonstratives, implicatures, and noncanonical word order. He has contributed to experimental pragmatics, syntax-discourse interactions, and the semantics-pragmatics boundary, co-authoring key works like Information Status and Noncanonical Word Order in English (1998). Recent publications analyze deferred reference, event anaphora, and functional compositionality. These works span subfields such as pragmatic theory, syntactic variation, and discourse processing, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Scientific awards include: E. LeRoy Hall Award for Excellence in Teaching (2012) He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Linguistic Society of America (2004-2007), co-PI on NIH and NSF grants, and Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (2004-05).
Professor Aditi Lahiri is a Research Professor of Linguistics at the University of Oxford's Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics. She holds positions in the Centre for Linguistics and Philology and directs the Language and Brain Laboratory. Her research focuses on phonology, phonetics, historical linguistics, psycholinguistics, and neurolinguistics, with special expertise in metrical theory, feature theory, and morphological complexity. Education : BA (Mathematics, Economics) from University of Calcutta (1971); MA (Comparative Philology) from University of Calcutta (1973); DPhil (Comparative Philology and Linguistics) from University of Calcutta (1979); PhD (Linguistics) from Brown University (1982). Research Interests : Her work spans experimental and theoretical linguistics, including prosodic phrasing, lexical representation, language change, and neural correlates of phonological processing. Key areas include: Metrical phonology and historical sound change Cognitive representation of speech sounds Morphological complexity in the mental lexicon Speech perception and production mechanisms Recent Research Trends : Over the past decade, her publications emphasize cross-disciplinary approaches, integrating experimental psycholinguistics with computational modeling (e.g., ERC-funded projects on morphophonological alternations). Recent work explores language processing in multilingual speakers and the neural basis of phonological features. Awards : Recipient of prestigious awards including the Leibniz Prize (2000), Max Planck Research Prize (1994), and Fellow of the British Academy (2010). She serves as Vice President of the British Academy and President of the Philological Society. Grants & Leadership : Secured over €8 million in research funding, including ERC Advanced Grants (e.g., MORPHON, WORDS). Directed the DFG-funded Sonderforschungsbereich 471 (2006-2008). Established key partnerships in India through endowed scholarships and academic outreach initiatives. Labs & Collaborations : Leads the Language & Brain Laboratory, collaborating internationally on projects combining neurolinguistic methods with historical and experimental linguistics. Supervised numerous PhD students who have become leading academics globally.
Stephen Marshall is Professor of Urban Morphology and Urban Design at The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. He also served as Visiting Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano, Italy from 2019 to 2021. With over twenty-five years of experience in the built environment fields, initially in consultancy and subsequently in academia, Professor Marshall has established himself as a leading expert in urban morphology and design. His educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy from University College London (2001), a Postgraduate Diploma from Edinburgh College of Art (1995), a Master of Science from the University of Leeds (1989), and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Glasgow (1988). Professor Marshall's principal research focuses on urban morphology and street layout, examining their relationships with urban formative processes including urban design, coding and planning. His work bridges urban design theory with practical applications, exploring how cities evolve through complex interactions of physical form, social processes, and planning interventions. He has written or edited several influential books including 'Streets and Patterns' (2005), 'Cities, Design and Evolution' (2009), and 'Urban Coding and Planning' (2011). His recent publications reveal a growing interest in applying complexity science to urban morphology, with particular attention to biological analogies for understanding self-organizing cities. He has pioneered research on digital participation methods in urban planning, exploring how online platforms can enhance public engagement in urban space design. His work consistently bridges theoretical urban morphology with practical applications for contemporary urban challenges like pandemic adaptation and sustainable transport. Professor Marshall has served as Chair of the Editorial Board of Urban Design and Planning from its launch to 2012, and is now co-editor of Built Environment journal. His editorial work has significantly shaped scholarly discourse in urban planning and design. He leads several significant research initiatives including the Incubators of Public Spaces project, which explores digital platforms for co-creating urban spaces, and the Self-Organising Built Environment project, which investigates biological analogies in urbanism. These projects reflect his interdisciplinary approach to understanding and shaping urban environments, connecting with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Professor Helen Finch (University of Leeds) is a leading scholar in German Literature , with a focus on Holocaust Studies , Queer Memory , and German-Jewish Cultural Production . Affiliated with the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies and the Centre for Jewish Studies , she co-leads the LCS Queer Area Studies Network and contributes to equality initiatives through the LGBT+ staff network . Research: Holocaust representation in German works, queer identity in postwar literature, transnational memory studies, curriculum design in German studies Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014) Academic Output : Her 15 most recent publications span Holocaust poetics , queer life writing , translation ethics , and Sebaldian intertextuality , with a particular focus on intersections between trauma , identity , and intergenerational testimony . Supervision : Currently guides PhD research on topics including transnational transphobia , queer art practices , and LGBTQ+ cross-cultural representation . Her students explore areas from German exile photography to postcolonial queer narratives .
Simon Gathercole is a Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Divinity. He serves as Director of Studies in Theology at Fitzwilliam College and holds editorial roles for Journal for the Study of the New Testament , Early Christianity , and New Testament Studies . His research focuses on New Testament interpretation, early Christian-Jewish relations, and Christological doctrines. Education: Bachelor's in Classics and Theology from Cambridge PhD under James Dunn at Durham University Short-term studies at University of Tübingen and Jewish Theological Seminary, New York Research Interests: Explores connections between New Testament texts and contemporary literature, specializing in Pauline studies, Gospel christology, and apocryphal writings. Current projects include early views on eschatological timing and substitutionary atonement theory. Recent Work Trends: Recent articles engage with Pauline syntax in 1 Thessalonians, Lukan parables' eschatology, and inscriptions' utility for NT studies. Maintains focus on manuscript titles and Gnostic texts' theological implications. Advising & Grants: Supervises doctoral research in Pauline theology and extra-canonical Gospels. Active in editorial work shaping NT scholarship through journal curation. Labs/Teams: Leads Cambridge's Divinity Faculty research initiatives, collaborating on projects like the Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae .
Professor Ian Roberts is a faculty member at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics and the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics. He holds the academic rank of Professor and has been a Fellow in Linguistics at Downing College since his appointment. His research focuses on theoretical linguistics, particularly comparative and historical syntax, grounded in Noam Chomsky's Universal Grammar framework. Education : BA from Bangor University, PhD from University of Southern California (USC), LittD, Fellow of the British Academy (FBA). Roberts' work investigates how grammatical systems across Germanic, Romance, and Celtic languages vary along simple parametric lines while adhering to universal constraints. His recent projects include 'Rethinking Comparative Syntax' (ERC-funded), 'Giving Voice to Digital Democracies', and parametric comparison studies. His publications span monographs and collaborative works, emphasizing syntactic universals, parametric hierarchies, and mechanisms of language change. He has supervised graduate students such as Zepu Zhang, Fanghua Zheng, and Liu Yang. Roberts has received prestigious awards, including the European Research Council Advanced Grant and multiple Cambridge Humanities Research Grants. His academic contributions extend to leadership as Head of the Theoretical and Applied Linguistics Section and involvement in research clusters like CAMPAL (Cambridge Processing and Acquisition of Language lab).
Professor Muhammad A S Abdel Haleem, OBE, is the King Fahd Professor of Islamic Studies at SOAS University of London, within the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. He holds a BA from Cairo University and a PhD from the University of Cambridge (Cantab), with additional qualifications including FCIL (London). His research focuses on Quranic language, style, and translations, alongside Islamic family law and Arab society. Key interests include Qur’anic exegesis, comparative religious studies, and the intersection of scripture with contemporary issues like disability ethics and interfaith relations. Professor Haleem has supervised numerous PhD candidates exploring topics such as divine states in Sufism, gender relations in the Quran, and charitable work in multicultural societies. He has authored over 60 works, including translations of the Quran and influential studies on Quranic structure and theology. Awards: Order of the British Empire (OBE) Publications: Over 60 books and articles, including Understanding the Qur'an: Themes and Style and translations of the Quran. His work bridges academic theology with practical ethics, emphasizing contextual interpretation and intercultural dialogue. Current research continues to explore Quranic coherence, legal hermeneutics, and the Quran’s role in modern society.
Marcin Wągiel is a semanticist affiliated with Masaryk University's Department of Czech Language and the Centre for Corpus and Experimental Research on Slavic Languages at the University of Wrocław. As an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at Leibniz-Zentrum Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft (ZAS), he researches mereotopology across linguistic domains. His work focuses on compositional semantics, quantification, and morphologically complex expressions. Research interests include: Parthood and mereotopological structures Subatomic quantification Cross-linguistic analysis of Slavic languages Semantic change and event semantics He received the E.W. Beth Dissertation Prize for his work on subatomic quantification. Current projects explore classifier constructions and additive numerals across languages.
Jon Brennan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). His research focuses on neurolinguistics, computational linguistics, and psycholinguistics, particularly investigating how the brain processes language structure and meaning. He leads the Computational Neurolinguistics Lab, which develops neurocomputational models to study language comprehension mechanisms. Brennan received an NSF Grant for collaborative research with Christophe Pallier (Paris) on neurocomputational models of natural language processing. His work integrates EEG, fMRI, and MEG techniques to decode linguistic features in neural signals. Key research areas include syntax-semantics interfaces, multilingual processing, and developmental disorders like dyslexia. Notable contributions include studies on hierarchical syntactic structure, minimal pairs in language models, and neural correlates of theory of mind in children. Brennan collaborates internationally, exemplified by the US-French NSF-CRCNS grant. He has published extensively on topics like neural decoding of grammatical features, LLM internal representations, and bilingual processing mechanisms. Scientific awards include the NSF Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS) Grant (2016). His research bridges computational modeling and experimental neuroscience, aiming to reveal how language mechanisms are implemented in neural systems.
Zhiqiang Yu serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature at Baruch College's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, City University of New York. With over two decades of teaching experience, he has established himself as a dedicated educator specializing in Chinese language, cinema, and civilization courses. Education: Ph.D. in Chinese, University of Washington M.A. in Asian Civilization, University of Iowa B.A. in Chinese Literature, Fudan University (Shanghai) Professor Yu's research focuses on innovative approaches to Chinese language pedagogy, with particular interest in applying economic principles and artificial intelligence to language teaching. His work bridges traditional linguistic scholarship with modern educational technology, examining how efficiency, resource allocation, and technological advancements can enhance language learning outcomes. His research spans Chinese linguistics, dialectology, cinema studies, and cultural elements in language teaching. His publication record reveals a consistent trajectory toward optimizing language instruction through systematic analysis. Recent work increasingly focuses on AI applications in language education and the economic framework of pedagogical efficiency. His scholarship demonstrates a progression from traditional linguistic analysis toward innovative teaching methodologies that incorporate modern technological and theoretical frameworks. Scientific Awards: Award of Excellent Academic Research Reviewer from Journal of International Chinese Education (2016) Graduate Teaching Fellowship from University of Washington (1993) Graduate Teaching Fellowship from University of Iowa (1989) Graduate Research Fellowship from University of Iowa (1988) Student Excellency Award from Fudan University (1984) Professor Yu has served extensively on departmental committees including as Department Assessment Coordinator and Secretary of the Asian and Asian-American Studies Committee. He has organized numerous academic events featuring prominent Chinese cultural figures and has contributed to developing Chinese language curriculum resources including online placement tests. His professional service extends to editorial work for CUNY publications and Chinese language training for the New York Police Academy. He maintains active involvement with multiple professional organizations including the American Name Society, American Oriental Society, American Society of Geolinguistics, Association for Asian Studies, and Chinese Language Teachers Association, frequently presenting at international conferences on Chinese language pedagogy.
**Daniel Petit** is a **Full Professor of Indo-European Linguistics** at the **École normale supérieure (ENS)** since 2003 and **Director of Studies in Baltic and Indo-European Linguistics** at the **École pratique des hautes études (EPHE)** since 2011. He holds a PhD in Greek Linguistics (1996) and a Habilitation in Baltic Linguistics (2002), both from Paris-Sorbonne Université. His research focuses on historical syntax, comparative grammar of Indo-European languages, Baltic linguistics, and the history of comparative linguistics. **Education**: PhD in Greek Linguistics, Paris-Sorbonne Université (1996) Habilitation in Baltic Linguistics, Paris-Sorbonne Université (2002) Agrégation de Grammaire (1st rank, 1990) Multidisciplinary background including classics, Lithuanian, and Greek linguistics. **Research Interests**: Explores syntactic evolution in Indo-European languages, Baltic language structures, and the historical development of comparative linguistics. Specializes in Latvian, Old Prussian, Ancient Greek, and Lithuanian linguistics and philology. **Awards**: Correspondent member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (2021) Vice-chair of the Indogermanische Gesellschaft (2016-2021) Chevalier des Palmes Académiques (2011) **Advising & Leadership**: Supervised 9 PhD students (4 defended, 5 ongoing) and served on 28 doctoral committees. Organized 15 international conferences. Currently serves as Secretary (Chief Editor) of the *Bulletin de la Société de Linguistique de Paris* since 2017.
D. Eric Holt is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and the College of Arts and Sciences. He has held academic appointments since 1994, including visiting roles at Georgetown University and lecturing positions in Ecuador and Spain. His expertise spans Hispanic linguistics, historical linguistics, second language acquisition, and phonological theory, with a focus on Optimality Theory and its applications to Spanish and Portuguese. Educated at Occidental College (BA), Georgetown University (MS, PhD), and with extensive summer programs in linguistics, Holt's research explores sound change, dialectology, and L2 pronunciation acquisition. He has supervised numerous graduate theses and dissertations, including notable works on connected speech perception and language contact phenomena. His teaching portfolio includes advanced courses on Spanish linguistics, phonetics, and historical language evolution. Holt has led international study programs in Spain, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, and contributes to academic service as an associate editor of Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics and through professional organizations like Phi Beta Kappa. Holt's grants include funding for research on L2 speech perception and技术创新 in pronunciation teaching. He has presented globally at conferences such as NWAV and LSA, and his work appears in top journals like Probus and Georgetown University Round Table . His current projects include books on Optimality Theory in Spanish linguistics and debunking language myths.
Stephen Ferrigno is an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Biology of Brain and Behavior Area Group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Psychology. His research investigates the origins of uniquely human cognition through developmental, comparative, and cross-cultural methodologies. He focuses on foundational cognitive abilities such as number sense, recursive grammar, logical reasoning, and metacognition, exploring their evolutionary and developmental bases. Ferrigno's work bridges disciplines including cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and cultural anthropology, with practical applications in early childhood education and curriculum design. His research employs cross-cultural studies with indigenous populations (e.g., the Tsimane) to assess cultural variability in cognitive development. Key themes include spatial mappings of numerical concepts, recursive sequence processing in non-human primates, and the metacognitive capacities shared between humans and monkeys. The Cognitive Origins Lab, led by Ferrigno, seeks to uncover universal cognitive principles while identifying culturally mediated differences. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided materials. While no advisees are mentioned, his research program suggests involvement in mentoring graduate students through the Department of Psychology's PhD program. Current projects include investigating the developmental trajectories of logical reasoning, the neural correlates of recursive sequence processing, and the design of culturally adaptive educational interventions targeting early math and language skills in preschool settings.
Jay Crisostomo is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan's Department of Ancient Near Eastern Civilization and Languages and Civilizations within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He holds the George G. Cameron Professorship. His research focuses on the languages and intellectual histories of ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform cultures, with emphases on sociolinguistics, multilingualism, translation, and scribal practices. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 2014. Teaching encompasses courses on ancient Middle Eastern history, languages, and cultures, including 'Science and Technology in the Ancient Middle East' and 'Madness, Medicine, and Magic in the Middle East.' He also teaches on sport history and language in the ancient Mediterranean. As Director of Graduate Studies, he supports MES program students, advising prospective PhD candidates in ancient Middle East history/Assyriology. Research highlights include his book Translation as Scholarship: Language, Writing, and Bilingual Education in Ancient Babylonia and ongoing projects on the 3,000-year history of Sumerian language use, Babylonian scholars, and Sumerian-Akkadian linguistic contact. Current efforts involve editing 150 lexical tablets in Germany's collections. His work bridges ancient textual analysis with broader themes in cultural transmission and knowledge systems. He collaborates on critical editions of cuneiform texts and maintains affiliations with international research networks. Contactable via cjcrisos@umich.edu, his office is located at 202 South Thayer Street, Ann Arbor.
JuHyun Lee is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Computational Design in the School of Built Environment at the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture (ADA), University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, where they also hold the prestigious title of Scientia Academic. With a professional background in architecture and construction (1998-2002), they have held academic positions across Australia including a five-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Newcastle (2012-2017) and a senior research fellowship at the University of South Australia (2018), following earlier research and teaching roles in South Korea (2003-2011). Lee specializes in architectural design computing, design cognition, and urban complexity, integrating computational methods, cognitive science, and architectural theory to advance architectural intelligence and human-centered design. Their research spans architectural visualization, analysis and design methods, algorithm/protocol design, and data visualization with computational approaches. They have established a strong research program examining the intersection of language, culture, and design cognition, particularly focusing on cross-cultural design communication between Australia and Korea. Lee's recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated integration of computational methods with architectural design theory, particularly in the areas of shape grammar, space syntax, and machine learning applications. Their work shows consistent focus on practical applications of computational design methods to real-world architectural problems, with growing emphasis on cross-cultural collaboration and intelligent design systems. The research portfolio reveals a deepening engagement with AI and machine learning techniques applied to architectural design assessment and generation. Scientia Academic at UNSW Sydney Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA, 2020) As an educator, Lee develops cutting-edge courses in computational design and Building Information Modeling (BIM), integrating experiential learning and industry engagement. They have secured over $11 million in research funding, including multiple ARC Discovery Projects and an Australia-Korea Foundation grant. Lee co-directs the Advanced Architectural Analytics Laboratory (A 3 LAB), leading interdisciplinary research on design automation, spatial analysis, and machine learning applications in architecture, while also leading cross-cultural initiatives like the Australia-Korea Architects' Network (AKAN). Lee supervises multiple HDR students working on culturally sustainable urban design, socio-spatial patterns in public housing, and computational layout generation. Their research has significant implications for improving design communication across cultural boundaries and developing more coherent, clear, and accessible built environments through computational design approaches.
