Lisa Lai-Shen Cheng is a Professor of General Linguistics at the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics, with a focus on comparative syntax and its interactions with semantics, prosody, and processing. She co-founded the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC) and is a member of KNAW, Academia Europaea, and LSA Fellow. PhD in Linguistics from MIT (1991) Assistant/Associate Professor at UC Irvine (1991-2000) Her research explores language variation through comparative syntax , wh-questions , and interdisciplinary approaches involving the brain. Key projects include Ellipsis Licensing Beyond Syntax (NWO), Understanding Questions (NWO), and Advancing the European Multilingual Experience (FP7 EU). Her work spans Chinese , Bantu , and other languages, addressing phenomena like intervention effects and scope fixation . Her publications include studies on wh-in-situ in Chinese, French, and Bantu languages, emphasizing the role of interfaces and cognitive processes. Awards include membership in KNAW (2017), Academia Europaea, and LSA Fellow status. She has supervised over 20 PhD students and teaches syntax and syntax-semantics interface courses at Leiden University. Her affiliations include the Theoretical Linguistics and Experimental Linguistics groups.
Prof. dr. Norbert Corver is a Professor of Dutch Linguistics at Utrecht University , affiliated with the Department of Languages, Literature and Communication and the Institute for Language Sciences . He chairs the Dutch Linguistics division and leads the Mind your Manner Adverbials! (MiMA) project funded by an NWO Open Competition grant (2021-2025). He was a Visiting Professor at the University of Connecticut (2019) and serves as editor of Studies in Generative Grammar . Education: PhD in Linguistics (1990, Tilburg University) Research Interests: Syntax, generative grammar, language variation, syntactic interfaces, and affective language structures Key Projects: MiMA (syntax of adverbials), AThEME (multilingualism in Europe), Syntax of Idioms (NWO-FWO collaboration), DiDDD (Dutch noun phrase diversity) Scientific Recognition: Member of Academia Europaea Current Work focuses on the syntax of adverbials through comparative Germanic studies, while his broader research explores curse expressions, numerical expressions, and dialectal variation. He maintains active collaborations across Europe and contributes to digital resources like the Taalportaal (Dutch/Frisian grammar portal).
Prof. dr. Enoch O. Aboh is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Amsterdam , Faculty of Humanities, Department of Literature and Linguistics. His office is located at Spuistraat 134, room 647, and he can be contacted at e.o.aboh@uva.nl . Research Interests: Prof. Aboh’s work lies at the intersection of formal syntax, language contact, and learnability. He investigates creole formation , multilingual ecologies , Gbe and Kwa syntax , cartographic approaches to clause structure , and sign language morphosyntax . A recurring theme is the emergence and evolution of grammatical systems under contact, approached through both descriptive fieldwork and formal theoretical modelling. His publications reveal a methodological breadth spanning experimental studies with kindergarteners on statistical learning, computational detection of loanwords, and fine-grained syntactic analyses of serial verb constructions, predication patterns, and determiner systems. This spectrum underscores his commitment to integrating cognitive, typological, and formal perspectives on language. Awards & Recognition: While no specific prizes are listed in the current material, Prof. Aboh’s extensive editorial and collaborative work—evidenced by numerous co-edited volumes and Festschrift contributions—attests to his standing in the field. Students & Grants: Details on PhD advisees or funded projects are not provided in the source text. Labs & Teams: No dedicated laboratory or research group names are mentioned, yet his affiliation with the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) can be inferred from the institutional context.
Dr. Janet Dyk is a Visiting Fellow in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, affiliated with the Religious Sources department. Her research focuses on Biblical Hebrew linguistics, translation studies, and intercultural Bible interpretation. She holds a PhD and has supervised one doctoral thesis. Key areas of expertise include the Peshitta’s translation universals, Hebrew verb morphology, and syntactic variation in ancient texts. Her academic contributions span 63 research outputs, including edited volumes like Bible and Transformation (2015) and conference papers on verbal valence in the Dead Sea Scrolls. She has presented widely on topics such as participle usage in Biblical Hebrew and the syntactic implications of verb valency. Dr. Dyk’s work has been supported by two NWO grants: one exploring verbal valence in Syriac texts and another examining syntactic variation and linguistic change. Her research bridges philology and theology, emphasizing intercultural approaches to biblical texts.
Johan Bos is a Professor of Computational Semantics at the University of Groningen. His research focuses on formal semantics, natural language processing, and semantic parsing, with contributions to tools like Boxer and the C&C parser. He leads the Groningen Meaning Bank project, creating multilingual semantic annotations. His work bridges computational linguistics and AI, emphasizing structured meaning representations. Key contributions include foundational textbooks such as Representation and Inference for Natural Language and Learn Prolog Now! . His research spans semantic analysis, discourse representation theory, and cross-lingual meaning parsing. Collaborations include projects on annotated corpora and neural semantic parsing advancements. Publications address challenges in semantic parsing, discourse structures, and interdisciplinary applications like tombstone inscription analysis. He actively contributes to computational semantics conferences and workshops, driving semantic tagging and interlingual meaning representation initiatives.
Dr. Elena Tribushinina is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Department of Languages, Literature and Communication , affiliated with the Institute for Language Sciences . Her expertise spans Child Multilingualism , Developmental Language Disorders , and Foreign Language Pedagogy , with a focus on educational interventions and cognitive mechanisms in language acquisition. Research Themes : Language Acquisition, Processing, and Disorders; Dynamics of Youth (DoY). Teaching : Courses in English Language and Culture (BA/MA), Multilingualism, and Topics in Language Acquisition. Her research investigates how bilingualism and language disorders interact in foreign language learning, using eye-tracking and intervention studies to differentiate between bilingual and DLD profiles. Recent projects include CodeTaal App for DLD children and support for Ukrainian refugee pupils. Key publication trends (2022–2025) reveal a focus on bilingual advantages , cross-linguistic transfer , connectives in discourse , and explicit instruction strategies for learners with DLD or dyslexia. She collaborates with institutions in Alberta , Antwerp , and Russia . She leads the research group Language Acquisition, Processing and Disorders and serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Child Language . Her methodological toolkit includes eye-tracking , longitudinal studies , and meta-analyses of pedagogical interventions.
Dr. Caitlin Meyer is an Assistant Professor of Dutch Linguistics at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Amsterdam (UVA), specializing in language acquisition and theoretical linguistics. Her research focuses on syntactic development, numerical cognition, and pragmatic particle usage in Dutch, with significant contributions to understanding verb clusters and ordinal number acquisition. Education: PhD in Linguistics from UVA Research: Language acquisition, Dutch syntax, cognitive development, experimental linguistics Collaborations: Engaged with Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) for interdisciplinary research Her recent publications analyze Dutch verb cluster acquisition (2015-2020), ordinal number learning strategies (2016-2021), and pragmatic particle development (2017). She employs experimental methods and cross-linguistic comparisons in her work, leveraging LUCL's Phonetics, EEG, and Eye-tracking labs. While no formal awards are listed in this dataset, her research has been published in key academic outlets. She contributes to teaching through formal programs at University of Amsterdam and participates in LUCL's educational initiatives.
Dr. Angeliek van Hout is a faculty member at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts, where she leads the Acquisition Lab within the Center for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG). Her academic profile centers on experimental research into first language acquisition in typically developing monolingual children, employing a crosslinguistic perspective to investigate fundamental aspects of language development. Her research expertise spans multiple interconnected domains of linguistic development: Temporal reference (tense and aspect, telicity, event culmination) Nominal reference (definiteness, quantification) Syntactic structures (questions, passives, pronouns) Pragmatic reasoning (scalar implicatures, theory of mind) Dr. van Hout's methodological approach integrates formal linguistic theory with empirical experimentation, examining how children acquire complex linguistic structures across different languages. Her recent work demonstrates particular focus on logical operators and their interpretation in child language, with extensive crosslinguistic comparisons examining how children process disjunction under negation in Dutch, French, Hungarian, and Italian. She investigates the cognitive mechanisms underlying these linguistic phenomena, bridging theoretical linguistics with cognitive science. Her publication record shows consistent productivity with 89 research outputs including 25 articles, 23 conference contributions, and 20 book chapters. Notable recent publications include work on prosodic disambiguation in Dutch, free choice interpretation in French children, and crosslinguistic patterns in quantifier acquisition. Dr. van Hout actively contributes to the academic community through: Supervision of PhD students (4 supervised works documented) Editorial work including the TABU Festschrift for Jack Hoeksema Organizing academic events such as "Novel Semantic Research in Theory, Processing and L1 Acquisition" Presenting research at international conferences including the Boston University Conference on Language Development Her research has practical applications in understanding typical language development trajectories, which she communicates to broader audiences through public engagement activities. She has presented on language development in twins at multiple public events and participated in the NEMO Science Live initiative from 2016-2018, demonstrating commitment to knowledge transfer beyond academic circles. As leader of the Acquisition Lab, Dr. van Hout directs research examining how children develop linguistic competence across various domains, with particular attention to the interface between syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in early language development.
Prof. Peter Schrijver is a Professor of Celtic and Classics at Utrecht University's Faculty of Humanities, leading the Department of Languages, Literature, and Communication (TLC). His research focuses on historical linguistics, particularly the evolution of Celtic languages and Indo-European studies. Schrijver earned his PhD in Classical Philology from Leiden University (1991) and held academic positions at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München before joining Utrecht University in 2005. He has served as vice-dean of the Faculty of Humanities (2015–2020) and director of undergraduate studies for languages and cultures (2007–2014). His work explores language contact, prehistoric linguistic relationships, and the cultural history of Europe. He is an editorial board member of the Journal of Indo-European Studies and frequently delivers invited lectures on topics like Hattic syntax, Celtic origins, and language evolution. His contributions bridge linguistic analysis with archaeological and genetic perspectives, offering insights into prehistoric language dynamics. Research interests include the history of Brittonic and Goidelic languages, substrate influences in Old English, and the linguistic prehistory of Western Europe. He has published extensively on Indo-European phonology, Celtic comparatives, and substrate languages. His recent work examines East Caucasian languages and Neolithic linguistic connections. Schrijver's editorial roles and international collaborations highlight his role in advancing comparative linguistics.
Hans van de Velde is a Professor of Sociolinguistics at Utrecht University's Department of Languages, Literature and Communication and part of the Institute for Language Sciences . He also serves as a senior researcher at the Fryske Akademy , focusing on Frisian language studies. His research spans multiple areas including: Language variation and change Sociophonetics Standardization processes Minority languages Acoustic-phonetic analysis Language contact Recent scholarship highlights his work on: 2024 : Visible Vowels software for language transfer studies 2023 : Sociophonetics of rhotic sounds and Frisian-Dutch education policy 2022 : Frisian standardization and consonant analysis tools Contact: h.vandevelde@uu.nl
Prof. Sergey Avrutin is a Professor of Comparative Psycholinguistics at Utrecht University's Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, within the College of Humanities. His research integrates information theory into language processing studies, focusing on typically and atypically developing children, adults, and individuals with aphasia. He previously led the NWO-sponsored PIONEER research program (2000-2005) and current projects explore rule induction from partially ordered input and entropy-driven models. Prof. Avrutin has held academic roles such as Research Leader, Promoter, and Executor across multiple NWO and EU-funded projects. His research spans syntax-discourse interface, language acquisition disorders, bilingualism diagnostics, and special registers like headlines and TV commentary. He collaborates with international institutions including Berlin's Zentrum für Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft and Russia's Herzen State Pedagogical University. His teaching includes courses on Cognitive Science, Language and Law, and the Syntax-Discourse Interface. Recent work highlights contributions to understanding lexical access in aphasia, the role of prosody in anaphora resolution, and statistical learning mechanisms. His articles and projects reflect a focus on interdisciplinary methods, combining experimental and theoretical approaches to linguistic phenomena.
Audrey Rousse-Malpat is an Assistant Professor of Language Learning at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Department of European Languages and Cultures within the Faculty of Arts. She specializes in Second Language Acquisition, Foreign Language Education, and French linguistics, with a focus on dynamic usage-based approaches, translanguaging strategies, and humor in language learning. Her research explores instructional methodologies, particularly comparing structure-based and dynamic-usage-based teaching methods, and their impacts on oral and written proficiency. Dr. Rousse-Malpat is a member of the Young Arts Research Network (YARN) and serves as Treasurer of Anéla. Her work intersects linguistics, educational research, and pedagogy, emphasizing practical applications in classroom settings. She has organized international conferences, such as the 19th AILA World Congress, and supervised graduate research projects, including studies on translanguaging in English writing courses. Her contributions span peer-reviewed publications, edited volumes, and public engagement initiatives. Key research themes include the effectiveness of explicit vs. implicit instruction, humor convergence in L2 responses, and the role of translanguaging in multilingual education. She advocates for innovative language-teaching frameworks that prioritize student-centered, dynamic learning environments.
Corné Hanssen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Utrecht University's Faculty of Humanities, specializing in Islam and Arabic studies. His academic profile bridges Middle Eastern and East Asian studies, with particular focus on Islamic influences in Chinese contexts. His research interests include Arabic language and literature, Berber Studies, Islam (particularly Shia Islam), Chinese politics, and the intersection of Islamic studies with contemporary Chinese society. His work explores topics such as Islamic influences along the Silk Road, the Uighur minority in Xinjiang, Chinese Communist Party ideology, and Arabic language studies. Hanssen's publications from 2001-2015 demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach connecting Middle Eastern and East Asian studies. His research reveals consistent interest in Chinese politics, Islamic studies, and linguistic diversity, with particular attention to the Xinjiang region, Chinese Communist Party ideology, and Islamic theological perspectives. He has been active in academic outreach through invited talks on diverse topics including Bedouin culture (2001), languages and peoples in Europe (2007), and languages and cultures of Morocco (1997), showcasing his broad expertise in cultural and linguistic diversity across regions.
Dr. Rob Zwitserlood is an Affiliated Researcher at the Humanities Institute for Language Sciences at Utrecht University and Senior Researcher at the Hogeschool Utrecht, Lectoraat Logopedie: Participatie door Communicatie . He has over 30 years of experience in special education for children with Developmental Language Disorders (DLD) at the Royal Dutch Auris Group. His research focuses on diagnostics, interventions, and metalinguistic therapies for DLD/Speech-Language Impairment (SLI). Education : Supervised MA/BA students in Speech Therapy Science, focusing on pronoun errors, narrative skills, and dummy verbs in SLI children. Research Interests : Morphosyntactic development, speech disfluency, metalinguistic training, and tablet-based interventions for DLD children. Activities : Invited speaker at international conferences (European Speech and Language Association, IASCL), organizer of academic events, and presenter of randomized controlled trials on language therapy tools.
Dr. Sergio Baauw is an Assistant Professor of Spanish at Utrecht University, affiliated with the Institute for Language Sciences. His research investigates first language acquisition, multilingual development, and theoretical linguistics through comparative Spanish-Dutch frameworks. Since 2009, he has led European projects like EDINA (Erasmus+) addressing newcomer integration in education systems. Baauw teaches courses in language acquisition, Spanish syntax/morphology, and intercultural communication across bachelor’s and master’s programs. He previously coordinated the Multilingualism and Language Acquisition master’s program and currently directs the BA in Spanish Language and Culture. As a tutor for Language and Cultural Studies, he advises on modern languages curricula.
