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Prof. Dr. Jakob Leimgruber is Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Regensburg since 2022, where he is affiliated with the Department of English and American Studies within the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Cultures. Previously, he served as Substitute Professor at the University of Freiburg (2020-2022) and Lecturer at the University of Basel (2018-2022). His academic journey includes a Habilitation in English Philology from the University of Freiburg (2018), a DPhil in English Language from the University of Oxford (2009), and a Licence ès lettres in English Linguistics from the University of Fribourg (2005). Leimgruber's research centers on World Englishes with particular focus on East and Southeast Asia, sociolinguistics, language planning and policy, linguistic landscapes, language contact phenomena, language variation and change, indexicality, and authenticity. His work employs empirical approaches including corpus linguistics, fieldwork, and eye-tracking methodologies to investigate multilingual contexts across Singapore, Montreal, Taiwan, and the UAE. He has made significant contributions to understanding Singapore English, linguistic landscapes in multilingual cities, and language variation in postcolonial contexts. His publication record demonstrates consistent research output across multiple high-impact journals in linguistics, with a strong focus on empirical studies of language variation in specific contexts. Recent work shows increased attention to East Asian Englishes beyond Singapore, including Taiwan, and expanding investigations into the linguistic landscapes of global cities like Dubai. His research often employs collaborative approaches with international scholars across multiple institutions. Leimgruber has been active in academic service through numerous conference presentations including invited talks at institutions worldwide, participation in research workshops, and contributions to edited volumes on World Englishes and multilingual cities. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications in language policy and education. As an academic leader, Leimgruber has directed research projects examining multilingualism in global contexts, with particular attention to the role of English in shaping linguistic landscapes and identity construction. His recent work has increasingly focused on comparative approaches across different multilingual settings, examining common patterns and context-specific variations in how English functions in diverse sociolinguistic environments.

• World Englishes
• Sociolinguistics
• Language planning and policy
• +5 more

Prof. Liqiu Meng serves as Chair of Cartography and Visual Analytics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He specializes in advanced geospatial research, digital cartography, and human-technology collaboration frameworks. Current Faculty at TUM Chair of Cartography and Visual Analytics Research Focus: His work bridges cartographic theory with cutting-edge technology, covering topics like 3D urban modeling, AI ethics visualization, geovisual analytics, and spatiotemporal data interpretation. Urban Morphology Analysis AI Ethics Cartography Geovisual Analytics 3D City Data Integration Location-Based Service Design Publications: Recent works (2025-2024) demonstrate expertise in explainable AI for urban analysis, multi-agent systems for geospatial interaction, and advanced spatial modeling techniques. Contact: liqiu.meng@tum.de | contact.lfk@ed.tum.de

• Cartography
• Geospatial Analysis
• Urban Planning
• +4 more

Bernhard Brehmer is a Professor of Slavic Linguistics at the University of Konstanz since 2020, holding a W3-professorship in Slavic Linguistics. He previously held academic positions at the Universities of Greifswald, Hamburg, and Tübingen, including a Juniorprofessur and W2-professorship. His research focuses on multilingualism, language attrition, heritage languages, and sociolinguistic aspects of Slavic languages. He earned his doctorate in Ostslavische Philologie from Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen in 2004 with a dissertation on politeness expressions in Russian. Brehmer has led numerous interdisciplinary research projects, including the DFG-funded 'Russian in Germany across Generations' (2021–2024) and the EU-funded 'Nachbarspracherwerb' initiative. His awards include the 2012 Junior Fellowship at FRIAS and the 2018 Sparkassen-Förderpreis for German-Polish collaboration. His scholarly contributions span monographs, edited volumes, and over 50 peer-reviewed articles. Key works include Politeness between Convention and Creativity (2009) and co-edited collections like Lost in Transmission (2020). He actively participates in academic governance, serving as director of Slavistik institutes and developing interdisciplinary programs like the Baltic Sea Region MA program. His research integrates corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics, and applied language policy, addressing contemporary issues such as minority language maintenance and digital language behavior.

• Multilingualism
• Language Acquisition
• Language Attrition
• +7 more

Shueng-Han Gary Chan is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), within the College of Engineering. He is actively engaged in research and mentoring, with a strong publication record in mobile computing, indoor localization, and AI for pervasive systems. His research focuses on indoor localization using Wi-Fi, geomagnetic, and inertial signals , sensor fusion , crowd counting with deep learning , domain adaptation , and efficient mobile AI systems . His work bridges theoretical innovation with real-world deployment, as seen in systems for missing person search and indoor navigation. Recent publications (2023–2025) show a consistent trend toward self-supervised and domain-agnostic learning , efficient model design for mobile devices , and robust signal fusion in noisy environments . His team leverages transformer architectures, graph neural networks, and novel optimization techniques to solve real-world challenges in urban and indoor spaces. He has advised numerous graduate students, including Jierun Chen, Zhuoxuan Peng, and Tianlang He, who have contributed as first authors to joint publications. His collaborations span institutions and include work on large-scale system deployments and mobile AI. He leads a research group focused on mobile and pervasive computing , with projects involving IoT-based contact tracing, indoor navigation (e.g., DeepNavi, SiFu), and real-time localization systems. The team emphasizes practical deployment and system robustness.

• Indoor Localization
• Wireless Networks
• Pervasive Computing
• +11 more

Carmen Brandt is a Professor of Contemporary South Asian Studies at the University of Bonn, Germany, where she has been a faculty member since 2017, first as a Junior Professor and since 2023 as a W2-Professor. She is affiliated with the Department of South Asian Studies within the Faculty of Humanities. Her academic journey began at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, where she earned her Magistra Artium in 2006 and her doctorate in 2015 with a dissertation on the 'Bedes' of Bengal. She previously served as a research associate and lecturer at Halle before joining Bonn. W2-Professor, University of Bonn (2023–present) Junior Professor, University of Bonn (2017–2023) Research Associate, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (2007–2016) Lecturer in Bengali, Halle (2006–2007) Her research focuses on language and script politics, minority discourses, nation-building, and the cultural dynamics of Bengal and Bangladesh. She investigates how writing systems serve as tools of identity formation and political contestation, particularly among marginalized communities such as the 'Bedes' and Balti people. Her interdisciplinary approach draws from sociolinguistics, cultural anthropology, and postcolonial theory. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent engagement with themes of script identity, ethnic marginalization, and geopolitical belonging. Her work spans monographs, journal articles, and edited volumes, often analyzing how language policies and media representations shape national and subnational identities in South Asia. She frequently collaborates with scholars across institutions and countries, contributing to transnational academic discourse. Scientific and Professional Memberships: Editorial Team, ASIEN journal Chairperson, Bengal Link e.V. Chairperson, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Asienkunde (DGA) Spokesperson Council, Working Group “Modern South Asia” (DGA) Member, Literaturforum Indien e.V. Member, Association of Asian Studies She has advised and organized numerous academic events, including the German South Asia Days and workshops on Tibetanness and language politics. She has delivered invited lectures across South Asia, Europe, and North America, demonstrating her international scholarly reach. Her work bridges academic research and public engagement, particularly through journalistic contributions on South Asian socio-political issues. Laboratories and Research Teams: While not leading a formal lab, she actively organizes and participates in collaborative research networks, including the Working Group on Modern South Asia and the German South Asia Consortium. She has co-organized multiple international conferences and workshops, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among early-career and established scholars.

• South Asian Studies
• Contemporary South Asia
• Language and Script Politics
• +9 more

Professor Christian Mair is Chair of English Linguistics at the University of Freiburg, Germany, with a distinguished career spanning decades in linguistic research. He holds a prominent position in the Department of English Linguistics within the Faculty of Humanities and maintains an active research profile with regular publications and supervisory responsibilities. Professor Mair's scholarly work centers on corpus-based approaches to understanding language variation and change, with particular expertise in: World Englishes and their global development Corpus linguistics methodology and application Historical and contemporary grammatical changes in English Sociolinguistic aspects of language contact and variation Pidgin and creole languages in diaspora contexts English as a Lingua Franca in non-traditional English-speaking environments His recent research demonstrates sustained engagement with contemporary linguistic issues, particularly examining English in German-speaking contexts, migration's impact on language variation, and digital methodologies in linguistic analysis. Professor Mair frequently collaborates with international scholars on projects investigating English in diverse sociolinguistic settings across the globe. Professor Mair has received significant academic recognition: Member of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences Corresponding Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna He leads multiple research initiatives including the DFG project "West African Englishes on the Move" and research on "New Forms of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in Germany." His research team comprises several associates and assistants working on various aspects of English linguistics, with regular visiting scholars from international institutions. Professor Mair maintains active collaborations worldwide, hosting researchers such as Dr. Azizeh Chalak and Dr. Hossein Heidari Tabrizi from Iran. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications in understanding how English functions in increasingly globalized and multilingual contexts, with particular attention to non-colonial English language environments.

• Corpus Linguistics
• World Englishes
• Varieties of English
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Thomas Farrenkopf is a full-time Professor in the Department of Business Informatics at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen , serving as Dean of Studies . He leads the Business Informatics Bachelor program and specializes in digitalization, multi-agent systems, and AI-driven decision support. Expertise Areas : Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, Semantic Web, full-stack software development Contact : thomas.farrenkopf@mnd.thm.de Research Focus : His work bridges knowledge-based methods with practical applications in artificial intelligence, particularly through multi-agent systems for traffic modeling and business simulations. He developed AGADE Traffic (a knowledge-based traffic simulator) and ATHOS (a domain-specific language for multi-agent simulations), focusing on scalability and complexity reduction. Recent studies explore individual preferences' impact on traffic policies and agent-based feedback mechanisms in business contexts. Academic Contributions : With over 15 publications since 2013, his research spans agent-based modeling, semantic web applications, and smart manufacturing - notably improving throughput times in toolmaking by 90% through Industry 4.0 implementations. Teaching & Supervision : Actively supervises Bachelor's Practical Projects (BPP), providing guidance for internship-related academic work through structured evaluation processes and electronic reporting systems. Collaborations : Works with international researchers like Johannes Nguyen, Simon T. Powers, and Michael Guckert, publishing in venues such as SN Computer Science , Lecture Notes in Computer Science , and Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation .

• Digitalization
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Semantic Web
• +5 more

Dr. Ute Pietruschka (b. 1959) is a senior research fellow at the Academy of Sciences Göttingen and associate researcher in the Seminar für Arabistik/Islamwissenschaft, University of Göttingen. From 2001-2021 she taught as Lehrbeauftragte at the Oriental Institute, University of Halle, after earlier appointments at Queensland and Marburg. Her projects include the Corpus of Arabic and Syriac Gnomologia and the Union Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts in Germany. Education & Career 1982 Diplom, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (Arabic & Christian-oriental languages) 1986 Dr. phil. Halle, thesis on Ethiopian transmission of Greek philosophical sayings 1985-1992 wiss. Mitarbeiterin / Oberassistentin, University of Halle 1992-1994 Lecturer, University of Queensland 1994-2001 Assistentin, University of Marburg 2001-2021 Lecturer, Oriental Institute, University of Halle 2012-2022 Senior researcher, Academy of Sciences Göttingen Research Interests Pietruschka investigates the circulation of Greek wisdom literature into Arabic, Syriac, Coptic and Ethiopic cultures. Using philological and Digital-Humanities methods she edits gnomologia, traces manuscript transmission, and studies the educational role of monasteries and schools in the Islamicate world. Additional interests include the representation of nomads in Syriac writing and the reuse of biblical material in Islamic adab. Publication Profile Recent articles cluster around three thrusts: (1) Edition and analysis of Greek-Arabic gnomologia and doxographies, showing how compilations like Ps.-Plutarch’s Placita served as textbooks; (2) Study of Christian Arabic and Syriac wisdom collections, especially the monastic Apophthegmata Patrum and their pedagogical Sitz im Leben; (3) Codicological surveys of Coptic and Karšūnī manuscripts, highlighting monasteries as intellectual hubs after the Islamic conquest. Projects & Grants Head, Corpus der arabischen und syrischen Gnomologien (since 2011, continuation planned 2023-) Co-leader (with Jürgen Tubach) DFG-SFB project “Das Bild des Nomaden in der syrischen Literatur” (2004-2008) Senior researcher, Union Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts in Germany, Göttingen Academy (2012-2022) Teaching & Digital Humanities Together with Dr. Marco Büchler (Leipzig) she regularly offers courses on Digital Humanities applied to Semitic manuscript cultures, combining codicology, XML/TEI and network analysis.

• Graeco-Arabic transmission
• Christian Arabic literature
• Oriental manuscript studies
• +5 more

Rosel Pientka-Hinz is an Associate Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the Center for Religious Studies (CERES) at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany. She holds adjunct professorships and has held visiting roles at institutions like the University of Vienna and Philipps University Marburg. Her research focuses on the cultural and religious history of the Ancient Near East, particularly exploring animal symbolism, architectural knowledge, color semiotics, and textual traditions from the 2nd millennium BCE. Education: Studied Assyriology and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology at the Universities of Münster and Marburg. Earned her PhD with a thesis on the Old Babylonian Period and completed a habilitation on scorpion symbolism in Ancient Near Eastern literature. Research interests include ritual practices, environmental interactions, and the intersection of mythological narratives with historical contexts. Her work bridges textual analysis (Akkadian/Sumerian) with interdisciplinary approaches, such as zooarchaeology and comparative religion. Recent projects investigate cross-cultural contacts between Iran and Mesopotamia, serpent cults, and aquatic symbolism. Leadership roles include Principal Investigator of CRC 1475 'Metaphors of Religion' and Project Leader of Subproject C02. She actively engages in academic outreach, presenting at international workshops and contributing to public exhibitions on light/color symbolism and ancient religious practices. Labs/Teams: Integral member of CERES Research Department and affiliated with the Käte Hamburger Kolleg. Her research integrates archaeological findings, philological analysis, and cultural theory to reinterpret ancient religious phenomena.

• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Cultural History
• Religious History
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Elwys De Stefani holds the Chair of French and Italian Linguistics at the University of Heidelberg since 2021. He obtained his licentiate from the University of Basel in 1999 and his PhD in 2001. He has held academic positions across Europe (Basel, Neuchâtel, Freiburg, Lyon, Bern, Leuven) and served as a Visiting Professor at Regensburg, Freiburg, and Unisinos (Brazil). His research focuses on syntax of spoken languages, sociolinguistics, multimodal interaction, and onomastics. Current projects include studies on language choice in public spaces and collaborative grammar in Italian talk-in-interaction. He supervises PhD projects on multilingual encounters, deontic moments in speech, and interaction in medical waiting areas. De Stefani co-edits Research on Language and Social Interaction and Vox Romanica , and chairs the Tenure Board at Heidelberg. Over 150 peer-reviewed publications span monographs, edited volumes, and journal articles exploring topics like interactional onomastics, mobility in discourse, and pandemic language politics. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with applied research in commercial interactions, guided tours, and service encounters. Education: Licentiate in Romance Philology, University of Basel (1999) PhD in Linguistics, University of Basel (2001) Venia Docendi in Romance Philology, University of Bern (2008) Research Interests: Syntax of spoken languages, language contact, sociolinguistics, multimodal analysis, transcription theory, onomastics, and conversation analysis. Current projects investigate multilingual interactions in urban contexts and the role of embodied conduct in dialogue. Key Publications: Includes monographs like «Ah petta ecco, io prendo questi che mi piacciono» (2011) and edited volumes such as Hundert Jahre ‘Italienische Umgangssprache’ (2023). Recent articles address pandemic language politics, spatial interaction in guided tours, and café encounter dynamics.

• Syntax of spoken Italian and French
• Language Contact in Urban Contexts
• Sociolinguistics
• +6 more

İrem Duman Çakır is a Research Associate and coordinator of the DFG Research Unit “Emerging Grammars in Language-Contact Situations: A Comparative View” (RUEG-Z) at the Institute for German Language and Linguistics, Faculty of Linguistics and Literature, Humboldt University of Berlin. Since 2019 she has been pursuing a doctoral degree in German Linguistics at the same university. Education 2014 – 2018: M.A. in Foreign Language Linguistics, University of Potsdam (focus: French/Language Acquisition & Communication) 2008 – 2012: B.A. in Translation & Interpreting (French), Yıldız Technical University Research Interests Her work centres on linguistic diversity in urban areas , with particular emphasis on multilingual and multiethnic settings . Employing linguistic-landscape and soundscape methodologies alongside linguistic ethnography , she investigates how speakers negotiate linguistic resources and construct identities in highly diverse city spaces such as Berlin’s street markets. Scientific Output & Trends Across her publications she consistently explores the interplay between visual and acoustic linguistic landscapes and everyday multilingual practices . Her 2025 article delves into language attitudes revealed by market signage, while the 2023 piece examines resource negotiation in situ. Collaborative works in 2021 extend the scope to comparative landscape studies and codeswitching in commercial interactions, collectively mapping the sociolinguistic complexity of contemporary Berlin. Teaching Winter 2022/23: Sociolinguistic Survey Methods (BA German & Linguistics) Winter 2021/22: Language Structures – Turkish as a Heritage Language (Certificate course) Winter 2020/21: Soziolinguistische Erhebungsmethoden (MA Linguistics) Summer 2020: Qualitative Methods in Sociolinguistics (MA Linguistics) Grants & Funding 2018 – 2021: PoGS Doctoral Scholarship, Minister for Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg Since 2021: Research Unit “Emerging Grammars in Language-Contact Situations” (DFG – RUEG-Z), Coordinator 2017 – 2021: Collaborative Research Centre 1287 “Limits of Variability” (DFG – SFB 1287), Project A01 Professional Membership & Labs She is an active member of the interdisciplinary Center “Language in Urban Diversity” at Humboldt University, which brings together scholars investigating multilingual practices in contemporary cities.

• Linguistic diversity in urban areas
• Multilingual and multiethnic settings
• Linguistic Landscape & Soundscape
• +2 more

Professor Michael Baldzuhn is a distinguished scholar of Medieval and Early Modern German literature at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Humanities, Department of Language, Literature, Media I Institute of German Studies. Appointed as full professor in 2019, he has established himself as a leading expert in medieval song poetry, school literature, and manuscript studies. His research focuses span medieval song poetry , school literature of the Middle Ages and Early Modern period , medieval fables , transmission and textual history of medieval literature , manuscript studies/codicology , orality and writtenness , and Latin and vernacular languages in the late Middle Ages . His work bridges philological precision with cultural historical insights, particularly in how educational practices shaped literary transmission. Professor Baldzuhn's recent publications reveal a sustained engagement with textual transmission and educational practices, with his 2024 critical edition of Jacobus Montanus's Centuria epistolarium formularum representing a major contribution to understanding late medieval educational practices. His work consistently demonstrates how school contexts shaped literary production and transmission, with particular attention to bilingual (Latin-German) educational materials. His scholarly activities include participation in international workshops and conferences focused on manuscript cultures, textual transmission, and educational practices across Europe. Professor Baldzuhn also maintains significant digital resources including www.liederhandschriften.de and www.meistergesang.de , supporting research in medieval song poetry and manuscript studies. Beyond his research, Professor Baldzuhn has extensive teaching experience across multiple German universities, with courses covering medieval German literature, language history, and specialized topics in medieval studies. His academic trajectory reflects deep commitment to both research excellence and pedagogical innovation in medieval studies.

• Medieval German literature
• Early Modern German literature
• Song poetry of the Middle Ages
• +7 more

Dr. Ilshat Sharafutdinov serves as a Lecturer in the Department of English and American Studies within the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Cultures at the University of Regensburg. His academic profile integrates teaching responsibilities with research in sociolinguistics, linguistic landscapes, language policy, and English language pedagogy. He maintains active membership in the International Society for the Linguistics of English and collaborates with the university's Research Center for World Englishes. His research centers on multilingual urban environments, examining how English functions within linguistic landscapes and public signage systems. This work intersects with sociophonetic analysis of non-native accents, second-language acquisition processes, and language policy implementation. His scholarship, exemplified by the 2018 Kazan linguistic landscape study, reveals patterns of English dominance in post-Soviet contexts while documenting complex language hierarchies in multilingual societies. For Winter Semester 2024/2025, Dr. Sharafutdinov teaches nine courses spanning core linguistics domains: Academic Writing B.A., Phonemic Transcription, Introduction to Statistics for Linguists, Sociophonetics, Syntax, Russian English, Research Methods for Variation in English, Text Analysis, and Linguistics Paper Writing Tutorium. This diverse portfolio demonstrates expertise across theoretical linguistics, sociolinguistic methods, and language teaching applications. He maintains regular office hours in room PT 3.2.79 during academic terms and collaborates with the Research Center for World Englishes, which investigates English language variation across global contexts through comparative and empirical approaches.

• Sociolinguistics
• Linguistic Landscapes
• Language Policy
• +5 more

Michal Przywara is a researcher at the University of Ostrava's Department of Slavonic Studies within the Faculty of Arts. His work focuses on Polish literature in Cieszyn Silesia (Zaolzie), regional identity in Slavic studies, and comparative literature. He specializes in political satire, dialectal literature, and historical-cultural analyses of borderland regions. Key research themes include: Interwar period literary movements Czech-Polish minority literature Bilingual creative writing Regionalism in 20th century poetry Historical memory studies Publications highlight: Polscy pisarze z Zaolzia związani z Orłową (2023) Humorystyczna twórczość gwarowa (2024) Orlová, Slezsko a střední Evropa (2023) He has advised over 20 theses on topics like: Cieszyn Silesian cultural history Polish underground literature Bilingual education policies Regional folklore preservation International collaborations include work with Polish institutions like the University of Bielsko-Biała and the Cieszyn Historical Society. His research bridges Czech and Polish cultural studies through comparative analysis of borderland literatures.

• Slavic Studies
• Polish Literature
• Regionalism in Literature
• +5 more

Dr. Thorsten Brato is a Lecturer (Lehrkraft für besondere Aufgaben) in the Department of English and American Studies, Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Cultures at Universität Regensburg. He holds a PhD in English Linguistics from Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (2012) and a teaching degree from Universität Duisburg-Essen (2005). His academic appointments include positions at Universität Regensburg (current, part-time), Universität Bayreuth, and TU Chemnitz. His research focuses on: Structural nativization in postcolonial Englishes (especially Ghanaian English) Sociophonetic variation in African and Scottish Englishes Diachronic corpus analysis of World Englishes Phonological acquisition in second-language contexts (Cameroon) Development of computational methods for phonetic analysis Brato's publications demonstrate strong emphasis on acoustic phonetics, corpus linguistics, and diachronic change in African Englishes. His recent works explore vowel systems, speech rhythm, and lexical expansion using corpus-based and computational approaches. He maintains active contributions to research on Ghanaian and Cameroonian English. He has taught extensively in linguistics, offering courses including: Acoustic Phonetics Corpus Linguistics World Englishes Sociolinguistics Phonemic Transcription with teaching experience across multiple German universities.

• World Englishes
• Sociophonetics
• Corpus Linguistics
• +5 more