Urpo Nikanne is a Professor of Finnish Language at the Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology, Åbo Akademi University. His research focuses on Finnish linguistics, theoretical linguistics, syntax, semantics, and lexical studies. He has published extensively on topics such as null subjects in Finnish, linguistic methodology, and language policy. His work contributes to understanding language structure, cognitive semantics, and the societal role of language. Research interests include syntax-semantics interfaces, linguistic theory development, and language policy analysis. Recent publications highlight studies on Finnish syntax, comparative syntax between Estonian and Finnish, and methodological frameworks in linguistics. He has supervised two academic works and contributed to edited volumes on linguistic research methods. His interdisciplinary approach bridges theoretical linguistics with sociocultural dimensions of language use.
Prof. Dr. Frank Domahs is a Professor of Applied Linguistics - Psycholinguistics at the University of Erfurt's Faculty of Philosophy and serves as Vice Dean for Research. He leads the Chair of Linguistics focusing on psycholinguistics and is affiliated with the certified graduate center 'Sprachbeherrschung' and the Department of Linguistics. His academic career includes extensive research in language processing, aphasia therapy, and neurolinguistics. Research interests span psycholinguistics, clinical linguistics, and neurophysiological foundations of language. Notable areas include word stress processing, numerical cognition, and rehabilitation of language disorders. He has contributed to influential studies such as the randomized trial on intensive aphasia therapy (The Lancet, 2017) and the development of diagnostic tools like the ESKOPA-TM material for assessing arithmetic disorders. Teaching focuses on clinical linguistics, language acquisition, and neurolinguistics. Recent courses include 'Diagnostics of linguistic abilities,' 'Neurolinguistics,' and 'Word prosody analysis.' His work emphasizes evidence-based interventions for speech disorders and cross-linguistic studies in language development. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to language processing, combining behavioral experiments and neuroimaging. Key themes include the interaction of prosody, morphology, and semantics, as well as the cognitive underpinnings of numerical and linguistic systems. His research has been published in journals like Brain and Language , Frontiers in Psychology , and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation .
Sabrina Horvath is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), part of the College of Health Professions. She serves as Principal Investigator (PI) of the MACAW Lab and holds a PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Boston University. Her expertise spans child language development, late talkers, and verb-learning mechanisms. Education Background: B.A. in Linguistics and History, College of William and Mary M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Sciences, Boston University Research Interests: Dr. Horvath focuses on optimizing verb-learning interventions for children with language disorders. Her work investigates syntactic and semantic cues in word acquisition, particularly in late talkers and children with developmental language disorders. She employs eye-tracking technology to study real-time language processing in toddlers. Grants & Studies: Active research includes three major studies funded by MUSC: Syntactic Bootstrapping in Toddlers (2022) Verb-Learning Differences in Late Talkers (2022) Complex Verb-Learning Situations (2025) Labs/Teams: Directs the MACAW Lab, dedicated to advancing understanding of atypical language development through experimental and clinical research.
Donna Jo Napoli is a Professor of Linguistics and Social Justice at Swarthmore College , where she has taught since 1987. She received the 2024 LSA Victoria A. Fromkin Lifetime Service Award for her career-long contributions to linguistics and social justice. Her work spans theoretical linguistics, sign language research, and literacy development for marginalized communities. Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024) Fellow of the Linguistic Society of America (2015) Napoli's research focuses on sign language syntax , modality effects , and deaf children's literacy . She co-founded the RISE Videobooks project , creating over 150 bimodal-bilingual resources for deaf children in 35 sign languages. Her interdisciplinary work connects linguistics with dance , yoga , and cognitive science , examining embodiment in communication. Recent publications include studies on iconic shadows in sign languages and emblems in Italo-Romance languages. She collaborates with institutions in Germany, Brazil, Italy, and Ireland on gesture-linguistic boundaries and immigrant children's language access. 2024 : RISE Videobooks received the Comenius EduMedia Award for innovative educational media 2020 : Co-authored Taboo in American Sign Language (Cambridge University Press) 2014 : Three LSA award-winning papers on medical education, language acquisition, and articulatory ease Her teaching includes courses on Sign Language Literature , Deaf Literacy , and Corporality in Storytelling (co-taught with Theater and Dance departments). She mentors students in creating STEM-focused children's books and inclusive educational tools .
Jan Hajič is a Professor at Charles University in Prague , where he serves as Deputy Director of the Institute of Formal and Applied Linguistics. Since 2016, he holds an Adjunct Professor position at the University of Colorado Boulder. His leadership extends to directing the LINDAT/CLARIN infrastructure, a key part of the EU Clarin network, and chairing the META-NET executive board. PhD in Computational Linguistics from Charles University (1995) Over 180 publications and a book on computational morphology Principal Investigator for major NSF, EU, and Czech grants His research focuses on computational linguistics , natural language processing , machine translation , and semantic annotation . He pioneered the Uniform Meaning Representation (UMR) project and contributed to foundational resources like the Prague Dependency Treebank . His work spans multilingual NLP , language technology infrastructure , and digital language equality initiatives. Recent publications highlight advancements in semantic role labeling , event-type ontologies , and interoperable language technology platforms . He has led projects such as Humane-AI-Net and European Language Grid , emphasizing cross-cultural communication and open science. Scientific Awards: Donatio Prize of Charles University (2022) Silver Medal of Charles University (2020) Silver Medal I of Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (2012) Award of Czech Academy of Sciences for best 'Information Society' project (2009) Co-author of Best Student Paper at EMNLP (2005) Silver Medal of Charles University (2001)
Kristen Syrett is a Professor and Department Chair at Rutgers University's Department of Linguistics, with affiliations to the Center for Cognitive Science. Her primary research focuses on language acquisition, experimental semantics, pragmatics, psycholinguistics, and syntax/semantics interface. She maintains active leadership roles and office hours for student engagement. Her research spans experimental investigations into semantic structures, with particular emphasis on adjective learning, count nouns, and developmental language disorders. Syrett's work often intersects with cognitive science, examining how syntax and semantics inform linguistic development across diverse populations, including bilingual speakers. Kristen Syrett's recent publications demonstrate a sustained exploration of quantification, gradable adjectives, and syntactic bootstrapping. These works contribute to understanding the interplay between linguistic diversity, cognitive processing, and developmental trajectories in language acquisition. She is contactable via kristen.syrett@rutgers.edu or through the Department of Linguistics at 18 Seminary Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Dr. Catriona Malau is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's College of Human and Social Futures, School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, specializing in Linguistics. She holds a PhD and BA (Honours) from the Australian National University. Her research focuses on documenting endangered Oceanic languages, particularly in Vanuatu, where she has published grammatical analyses and dictionaries. Her work centers on linguistic diversity in Vanuatu, grammatical documentation of Vurës and Ambae languages, and developing accessible digital archives for community use. Recent articles demonstrate a shift toward computational linguistics and multilingual modeling while maintaining core focus on Pacific language preservation. Awards: College Excellence Award for Research Supervision (2023) Office for Learning and Teaching Citation (2012) Vice-Chancellor's Citation (2011) She has supervised 13 PhD/Masters students in linguistics topics including grammars of Fakamae and Nese languages. Major grants include Volkswagen Foundation projects ($390,613 total) supporting documentation in Vanua Lava. As Deputy Head for Research Training, she coordinates multidisciplinary teams integrating anthropology and biology in language documentation.
Saeedeh Salimifar is a Doctoral Research Fellow in Linguistics at the University of Oslo. Her research focuses on semantics, pragmatics, and computational linguistics, particularly investigating presupposition projection through experimental and computational methods. She created the PresuppositionBank , a dataset analyzing factive predicates in English. She holds a Master’s in Computational Linguistics (developing a Persian valency lexicon for Abstract Meaning Representation) and a Bachelor’s in English Language and Literature. Her academic interests include computational linguistics, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse analysis. She has lectured on courses like Introduction to Linguistics and Semantics and Pragmatics . Her recent publications explore presupposition projection mechanisms and semantic interpretation frameworks for Universal Dependencies. She is affiliated with the Universal Natural Language Understanding project and the Grammar and Meaning research group at the university.
Professor Valerij Sofronievski is a Full Professor of Classics at the Department of Classical Studies, Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia. With an academic career spanning over three decades since his 1993 appointment as junior assistant, he has held significant leadership roles including Head of Postgraduate Studies (2002-2005 and 2013-2020) and CTS Coordinator. His institutional impact extends through founding roles in the Association of Classical Philologists 'Antika' and Society for Classical Studies Živa Antika. His educational journey includes: Bachelor's degree in Philosophy (Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, 1990) Master's degree in Philological Sciences (Faculty of Philology, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, 1996) PhD in Classical Philology (2001) with dissertation 'Semiotics and semantics of the bed in ancient Greek literature' Prof. Sofronievski's research bridges Classical Philology with Macedonian linguistic heritage through extensive lexicographical work, morphological studies, and literary analysis. His scholarship focuses on Ancient Greek language structures, Byzantine Greek paleography, and semiotic interpretations of classical texts. He approaches classical studies as 'a way of thinking and acting,' emphasizing practical applications in contemporary society while connecting antiquity to modern social conditions. His publication trajectory reveals three interconnected strands: foundational linguistic works (Greek-Macedonian dictionaries, morphology studies), literary scholarship (semiotic analyses of themes like the 'poetics of the bed'), and accessible translations of Plato and Aristophanes. This triad demonstrates his commitment to both advancing academic knowledge and making classical texts approachable for Macedonian audiences through pedagogical materials and cultural contextualization. As an educator, he teaches the full spectrum of Ancient Greek language courses from introductory to advanced levels across all academic cycles, including specialized seminars in Byzantine Greek paleography and linguistic analysis. His administrative leadership in postgraduate studies has shaped classical philology education in North Macedonia for nearly two decades, reflecting his dedication to academic development beyond classroom instruction.
Dr. Masaaki Kamiya is an Associate Professor of Japanese and Director of the Linguistics Program at Hamilton College. His research focuses on syntax, semantics, and language acquisition, with a particular emphasis on Japanese linguistics and pedagogy. He holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Maryland and has held multiple teaching and administrative roles at Hamilton since 2002. Dr. Kamiya’s academic credentials include a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, an M.Ed. from East Carolina University, and a B.A. from Dokkyo University. He has also participated in an educational exchange program at Bryn Mawr College. His research explores topics such as first/second language acquisition, syntactic and semantic structures in Japanese, pragmatics, and the role of prosody in language processing. Notable works include studies on Japanese nominalizations, L2 prosody effects, and gesture’s role in resolving scopal ambiguity. Dr. Kamiya has received numerous awards, including the Christian A. Johnson Teaching Award (2011) and multiple Emerson Summer Collaboration Grants. His publications span journals like Natural Language & Linguistic Theory and Journal of Japanese Linguistics . He advises students in linguistics and Japanese studies, coordinates the Japanese Program, and has led initiatives such as the Asia Forum and Phi Sigma Iota honor society. His courses include advanced Japanese language instruction, morphology/syntax, and conversation analysis using Japanese media.
Ekaterina Vatkova Todorova is an Associate Professor at New Bulgarian University's Department of Health and Social Work. She holds a PhD in Psychology and has over 25 years of academic experience, including roles as Dean of the Undergraduate Faculty and Director of multiple programs. Her expertise spans developmental dyslexia, speech therapy, and special education, with a focus on inclusive practices and interventions for learning disorders. Education: Doctor of Psychology (2006): Dissertation on morphological ability in children with dyslexia Master's in Speech Therapy (1995): Sofia University Research Interests: Neurodevelopmental disorders in literacy acquisition Clinical assessment of articulation disorders Technology-based interventions for special needs education Inclusive education policy development Key Projects: Co-developed Bulgaria's first dyslexia screening program at NBU Lead researcher in EU-funded projects addressing communication disorders Designed adaptive literacy programs for physically disabled children Affiliations: Board Member, Bulgarian Dyslexia Association Member, Institute of Mental Health and Development Founder, NBU's Dyslexia Support Program Grants & Leadership: Directed 9国家级 research projects (2007-2020) Secured €1.2M in EU funding for inclusive education initiatives Recipient of NBU's Excellence in Academic Leadership Award (2016)
Terje Lohndal is the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at NTNU and a Professor of English Linguistics (on leave), with an adjunct appointment as Professor at the Center for Language, Brain & Learning (C-LaBL) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. His research focuses on grammatical structures across languages, multilingualism, language change, and the history of linguistic theory. He leads the GenVAC project (Research Council of Norway) and co-leads the ForMAAL research group. Lohndal has held key roles including Vice President of the Social Sciences and Humanities division at DNVA and chairs the Research Council's Groundbreaking Research portfolio. His awards include the Nils Klim Prize (2014) and Research Council's Young Outstanding Researchers Award (2018). His work explores how language structures reflect cognitive principles, with notable studies on heritage languages, grammatical gender attrition in Norwegian dialects, and syntax-semantics interfaces. He has published extensively on topics like verb-second phenomena, island effects, and language mixing. Lohndal's research bridges formal linguistics with empirical sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic methods, contributing to both theoretical and applied linguistic scholarship. Key Affiliations: NTNU, UiT C-LaBL, DNVA, and CAS Board Research Groups: ForMAAL, GenVAC Major Projects: GenVAC (RCN-funded), multilingual grammar modeling His academic leadership includes editorial roles, international fellowships, and advocacy for humanities research in Norwegian higher education policy debates.
Libby Barak is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Linguistics and School of Computing at Montclair State University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral research at Rutgers University (NIH-funded), Princeton University, and the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on computational models of language learning, particularly in children with language disorders and second language learners. She combines computational methods with psycholinguistic insights to study how learners acquire morphology, polysemy, and mental state verbs. Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Toronto (2012) M.Sc. in Computational Linguistics, Bar-Ilan University (2008) Research Interests: Computational cognitive modeling, morphology acquisition, language disorders, second language learning, child-directed speech analysis, and construction grammar. Her work bridges computational linguistics and developmental psycholinguistics. Grants & Fellowships: NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers University- Newark (2015-2018). Labs & Collaborations: Active member of the Widening NLP workshop (WiNLP), promoting underrepresented researchers in NLP fields. Collaborations include projects on computational models of verb acquisition and language disorder diagnostics.
Hilary Wynne is a Research Fellow and Senior Research Associate at the University of Oxford's Faculty of Linguistics, Philology, and Phonetics. They lead research in the Language and Brain Laboratory, focusing on neurolinguistic and psycholinguistic investigations of language processing, particularly in related languages and specialized domains like aviation. Wynne's work utilizes EEG, fMRI, eye-tracking, and corpus analysis, with fieldwork primarily conducted in Kolkata, India. Current roles include EPSRC-funded grant leadership (2022-2027) and advisory positions such as Early Career Research Representative on University Council and Vice-Chair of the Research Staff Consultation Group. They previously held postdoctoral roles at Oxford and Manchester universities, alongside teaching responsibilities in Linguistics. Research interests span sound pattern processing, morphosyntactic structures in L1/L2 speakers, and interdisciplinary methods bridging neuroscience and linguistics. Methodological expertise includes behavioral experiments, neuroimaging, and corpus linguistics. Wynne's contributions extend to Tolkien studies, reflecting a broader interest in language's cultural dimensions. Grant-funded projects emphasize experimental rigor, with outputs appearing in journals across linguistics, cognitive science, and literary studies.
Terra Edwards is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. Previously, she served on the faculty at Gallaudet University's Department of Linguistics and Saint Louis University's Department of Sociology & Anthropology. Her research focuses on linguistic anthropology, language emergence, and DeafBlind communities, particularly exploring the protactile movement that redefines human interaction through tactile modalities. Her groundbreaking work examines how DeafBlind communities develop new tactile languages and social frameworks as visual reliance diminishes. Supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and Wenner-Gren Foundation, her research integrates socio-cultural anthropology, cognitive science, and ecological semiotics. Her forthcoming book, Going Tactile: Life at the Limits of Language , details 30 months of ethnographic fieldwork exploring how tactile interaction reshapes language structures and social dynamics. Edwards' methodologies include interactional and linguistic data analysis, emphasizing the interplay between sensory experience and communicative practices. She advocates for tactile-first approaches to accessibility, influencing both academic discourse and practical technologies like wearable haptic systems. Her work bridges anthropology, linguistics, and technology, offering insights into embodied cognition and alternative communication frameworks.
