Find Academic Supervisors

Erika Hoffmann-DillowayView profile

Associate Professor

• Linguistic Anthropology
• Deaf Studies
• Sign Languages
• +2 more

Erika Hoffmann-Dilloway is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Oberlin College's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a BA from Oakland University (2000), and MA (2003) and PhD (2008) from the University of Michigan. Her research examines the multimodal nature of communicative practices and social factors affecting communication flexibility, with ethnographic fieldwork conducted with deaf signers in Nepal, Malta, Germany, and the US. Her research interests include linguistic anthropology, sign languages, deaf communities, multimodal communication, and ethnographic methods. She explores how communication practices are shaped by social contexts and how anthropological research can be shared through diverse modalities. Her publications predominantly focus on deaf activism, sign language ideologies, multimodal semiotics, and ethnographic approaches to deaf communities. Recent work examines language access, sign language literacy, and the relationship between language competency and spatial ideologies. Awards and Honors: Fulbright Scholar Grant (2022-2023) Edward Sapir Book Prize Honorable Mention (2017) She teaches courses including Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology, Language Disability and Sensory Ecologies, and Graphic Anthropology. She mentors students through practicum and internship programs in anthropology.

• Disability Studies
• Disability Policy
• Inclusion for People with Disabilities
• +4 more

Odd Morten Mjøen is an Associate Professor in Health Sciences at NTNU’s Department of Mental Health, affiliated with the Social Educator program and NAKU (The National Institute on Intellectual Disability and Community). He holds a doctoral degree in social sciences specializing in social work, focusing on disability and professional interactions in municipal health services. His research explores disability policy, inclusion, organizational impacts on service delivery, and qualitative methods. Education: PhD in Social Sciences (Social Work), NTNU Focus: Disability studies, professional interactions, service organization Research Interests: Disability inclusion in education and employment Policy and organizational aspects of disability services Sign language interpretation and legal access Attitudes toward disability in institutional settings Recent Work Trends: His 2020s research emphasizes systemic barriers for students and workers with disabilities, exploring ableism in higher education and transition-to-work policies. Earlier work focused on legal accessibility for Deaf individuals and ethical dilemmas in residential care. Awards: No specific awards listed, but his work is recognized through extensive publication in disability policy and social work journals. Advising & Grants: Leads the Social Educator program and NAKU. Active in national projects like MASQ (2024) and collaborates on EU-funded initiatives. Supervises research on disability inclusion and service quality metrics. Labs/Teams: NAKU and Social Educator program leadership roles, collaborating with NTNU Samfunnsforskning and Nord University on disability policy research.

Sameer ud Dowla KhanView profile

Professor

• Phonetics
• Phonology
• Prosody
• +4 more

Sameer ud Dowla Khan is a Professor of Linguistics at Reed College and co-editor of the Journal of South Asian Linguistics. They lead research in phonetics and phonology, specializing in intonation (prosody), voice quality (phonation), and South Asian languages. As director of Reed College's Lab of Linguistics, they oversee research on diverse languages and their varieties. Their research examines the physical attributes of speech sounds, abstract mental representations, and cross-linguistic patterns. Primary specializations include developing phonological models of Bengali intonation (InTraSAL system), comparative analysis of South Asian languages, and pioneering work on Bangla Sign Language. Khan's work spans theoretical and applied linguistics with strong interdisciplinary connections to cognitive science. Analysis of their 15 most recent publications reveals dominant research trajectories: phonetic documentation of phonation types (breathy/creaky voice) across languages, prosodic typology of South Asian languages, sociophonetic variation in voice quality, and applications in language acquisition/technology. Major methodologies include acoustic analysis, perceptual experiments, and corpus linguistics. Khan teaches undergraduate courses including: Introduction to Phonetics, Phonological Theory, Intonation Systems, Field Methods, and South Asian Languages. They mentor students in the Lab of Linguistics on experimental design and linguistic analysis.

Guowen ShangView profile

Professor

• Sociolinguistics
• Language Policy and Planning
• Chinese Language Education
• +3 more

Guowen Shang is a Professor of Chinese Language and Linguistics at the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Bergen (UiB). Previously, he held positions at the National University of Singapore (PhD, 2011), National Institute of Education (Research Fellow, 2011-2014), and Zhejiang University (Associate Professor, 2015-2017). His research focuses on sociolinguistics, language policy, linguistic landscape studies, and Chinese language education. He has published extensively in journals like Language and Linguistics , Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development , and International Journal of Multilingualism . Shang's education includes a PhD in Linguistics from NUS (2011). His work explores language policy in China, Singapore, and Norway, with emphasis on multilingual urban spaces, toponym management, and language commodification. He is affiliated with the research group 'Multilingualism on My Mind' and actively reviews for over 20 international journals including Linguistics and Language Teaching . Teaching responsibilities include Chinese language courses (levels 1-5), bachelor thesis supervision, and master's courses in applied linguistics and intercultural competence. His recent research highlights include studies on linguistic landscape chronotopes, heritage commodification in urban spaces, and ethnic identity among Chinese-Norwegian adoptees. Publications span theoretical and applied linguistics, with a focus on sociopolitical dimensions of language use. He has authored monographs like Linguistic Landscape Studies: Theories and Practice (2023) and co-edited volumes analyzing multilingualism in international cities. Research interests also extend to language anxiety among international students and the role of linguistic landscapes in pedagogy.

Roberto Hofmeister PichView profile

Professor

• Medieval Philosophy
• Scholasticism
• Latin American Philosophy
• +3 more

Roberto Hofmeister Pich is a Full Professor of Philosophy at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) in Brazil. He holds a PhD from the University of Bonn (2001) and has held postdoctoral fellowships from the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung and Fulbright Commission. His roles include Vice-President of the Société Internationale pour l'Étude de la Philosophie Médiévale (SIEPM) since 2017 and Ambassador of the University of Bonn in Brazil since 2019. Education: Philosophy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Evangelical Theology, Escola Superior de Teologia PhD, University of Bonn (Thesis: Philosophy of John Duns Scotus) Research Interests: His work spans medieval and early modern philosophy, focusing on scholasticism, Latin American colonial philosophy, and the philosophy of religion. He explores topics like divine knowledge of contingent futures, the evolution of the concept of will, cognitive processes in scholasticism, and the ideological foundations of slavery in Latin America. Scientific Awards: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung Postdoctoral Fellowships (2004-5, 2006-7, 2011-12) Fulbright Commission Fellowship (2009-10) Grants & Projects: Served as First Holder of the CAPES/Uni-Bonn Chair (2018-19, 2019-20), leading the project The Philosophy of Black Slavery . Co-organized the 2017 SIEPM International Congress in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Sculpture
• Installation Art
• Materiality of Signs
• +3 more

Asier Mendizabal is a Professor of Liberal Arts at Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design (KKH), specializing in sculpture and installation art. His artistic practice explores materiality of signs and languages to interrogate collective representations of identity and ideological relations, challenging conventional interpretations through multi-media approaches. Research interests focus on how material and linguistic systems construct societal narratives, employing sculpture as a methodological core while integrating text and diverse media. No specific laboratories, grants, or formal advisees are documented in the provided materials.

Howard MannsView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Interactional Sociolinguistics
• Conversation Analysis
• Linguistic Anthropology
• +10 more

Howard Manns is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics within the Faculty of Arts at Monash University, Australia. His research lies at the intersection of sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, and conversation analysis, with a strong focus on language, identity, and meaning-making in multilingual and multicultural interactions. His academic expertise spans several linguistic contexts, including Persian, Indonesian, sign languages, and Australian/World Englishes. He employs qualitative methodologies such as Conversation Analysis, ethnography, and interviews to explore how language shapes and reflects social identities. Interactional Sociolinguistics Conversation Analysis Linguistic Anthropology Multilingualism Intercultural Communication Language and Identity His recent publications and research projects reveal a consistent trend in understanding communication among Deafblind individuals, tactile signing, Australian vernacular expressions, and the sociocultural dimensions of slang and metaphor. These works highlight his commitment to inclusive, socially impactful linguistics that contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in reducing inequalities and promoting quality education. His scientific engagement includes significant contributions to public discourse, with over 250 media appearances, especially with the ABC, where he discusses topics such as slang, mnemonics, and chiasmus. Metaphors and identities in the Australian vernacular (ARC-funded, 2021–2025) Deafblind communication: Building professional competencies (2021–2024) Talking through touch: adapting sign languages for Deafblind use (ARC, 2016–2020) Monash Intercultural Lab Summer School (2021–2023) He is an active member of the Monash Intercultural Lab and collaborates with institutions such as the National Institute of Informatics (Japan) and Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand), reflecting his international research network and interdisciplinary approach.

Ruth VidesottView profile

Researcher

• Sociolinguistics
• Multilingualism
• Language Acquisition
• +5 more

Ruth Videsott is a linguist at the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano (UniBZ), affiliated with the Faculty of Educational Sciences. She specializes in sociolinguistics, multilingualism, and Ladin language studies, with a particular focus on the linguistic situation in South Tyrol's Ladin valleys. Her research and teaching activities center on language acquisition, didactics of L1, and the documentation and preservation of minority languages in Alpine regions. Dr. Videsott's research interests encompass sociolinguistics of plurilingualism with particular reference to the Ladin area, language acquisition and didactics of L1, and the study of dialects and minority languages. Her work examines how multilingualism functions in educational settings, particularly in the context of Ladin language and culture in the Alpine region. She investigates language ideologies in society and education, exploring how linguistic diversity is managed in classrooms and communities where German, Italian, and Ladin coexist. Her research provides valuable insights into language contact phenomena and the challenges of maintaining minority languages in multilingual environments. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on corpus linguistics (particularly the AlpiLinK Corpus), language contact phenomena, and the documentation of the Ladin language. Her work spans multiple dimensions of linguistic study, from child language acquisition in multilingual settings to the impact of social media on minority languages. Videsott's research consistently addresses practical applications for language education and preservation in the Ladin valleys of South Tyrol, with a notable increase in scholarly output since 2022. Dr. Videsott teaches courses including Sociolinguistics of Plurilingualism with particular reference to the Ladin area (85263 · L-FIL-LET/09) for the Specialization course in Ladin language and culture and Alpine anthropology, and Language acquisition and didactics of L1 (13405D · L-FIL-LET/09 and 13405E · L-FIL-LET/09) for the One-tier Master's degree in Educational Sciences for Primary Education - Ladin Language Section. She also participates in doctoral studies in Linguistics, contributing to advanced linguistic research training. Her academic engagement extends to practical educational initiatives, as evidenced by her involvement in events where students discover Tyrolean dialects and Ladin language varieties. She has contributed to important discussions about language ideologies in society and education, including debates about dedicated school classes for children with no German skills, demonstrating the real-world impact of her research on educational policy and practice in multilingual South Tyrol.

• Second Language Acquisition
• Multilingualism
• Bilingualism
• +5 more

Marianne Gullberg is a Professor of Psycholinguistics at Lund University , where she serves as Director of the Lund University Humanities Lab and Huminfra , Sweden's national infrastructure for digital and experimental humanities research. Her work integrates second language acquisition , bilingualism , and gesture studies , focusing on semantic and discourse processing in multilingual contexts. Research Leadership: She leads the TEAM program on transdisciplinary approaches to multilingualism and co-founded the LAMiNATE network for language acquisition and teaching. Scientific Contributions: Known for pioneering research on speech-gesture integration in bilinguals, she co-established the Nijmegen Gesture Centre and directed the Max Planck Institute's Dynamics of Multilingual Processing group (2003-2009). Honors: Recipient of the 2019 European Second Language Association Distinguished Scholar Award , 2019 Swenson Prize , and 2014 Rausing Prize . Leadership Roles: President of the International Society for Gesture Studies , Vice-President of EuroSLA (2003-2007), and Non-resident Fellow at the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Studies . Academic Service: Former Associate Editor for Language Learning (2009-2014), Frontiers in Psychology , and Gesture (2000-2017). Key Research Themes include embodied cognition in language learning, multimodal communication, and cognitive-linguistic interactions in multilingual speakers. Her recent publications emphasize methodological innovations (e.g., smartphone-based tracking via the LANG-TRACK-APP ) and comparative studies of language exposure in migration vs. study abroad contexts. Scientific Awards: European Second Language Association Distinguished Scholar Award (2019) Swenson Prize in Humanities and Social Sciences (2019) Rausing Prize in Humanities (2014) Eva and Lars Gårding's Prize in Linguistics (2010) Infrastructure Development: As Director of Huminfra, she coordinates national digital humanities resources. Her editorial work spans top journals like Language Learning and Frontiers in Psychology .

Peeter ToropView profile

Professor

• Semiotics
• Cultural Semiotics
• Translation Studies
• +6 more

Peeter Torop is a Professor at the University of Tartu, where he works in the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics, Department of Semiotics. He leads the Transmedia Research Group and has been affiliated with the university since at least 2003, serving as a Full Professor from January 2003 to March 2016 and continuing in his professorial role thereafter. Professor Torop's research primarily focuses on cultural semiotics, with particular emphasis on: The Tartu-Moscow School of Semiotics and Yuri Lotman's theoretical legacy Intersemiotics and translation studies across different sign systems Transmediality and the translation of emotions across media The semiosphere concept and cultural dynamics The relationship between cultural heritage and digital reading practices His scholarly work demonstrates a strong trajectory in developing semiotic theory while applying it to contemporary cultural phenomena, particularly in the digital age. Torop has made significant contributions to understanding how cultural texts function across different media platforms and how meaning is preserved and transformed in digital environments. Professor Torop has published extensively, with 69 publications that have received 69,419 reads and 847 citations. His work spans multiple languages including English, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and Estonian, reflecting his international scholarly impact. As leader of the Transmedia Research Group, Torop has been involved in developing open access educational materials for humanities instruction in Estonian and Russian-language secondary schools, demonstrating his commitment to applying theoretical insights to practical educational contexts.

Ute BohnackerView profile

Professor

• Language Acquisition
• Bilingualism
• Narrative Analysis
• +5 more

Ute Bohnacker is Professor of Linguistics at Uppsala University's Department of Linguistics and Philology and also holds the position of Reader in Scandinavian Languages. She has made significant contributions to the field of linguistics through her research on language acquisition, bilingualism, and narrative analysis, with particular focus on Germanic languages and multilingual child development in the Swedish context. Her research expertise spans first and second language acquisition, bilingualism, narrative structures, grammar, and discourse, with special interest in Germanic languages. Bohnacker's recent work has expanded into language assessment and impaired populations, examining both typical and atypical multilingual child language development. She has conducted morphosyntactic studies of Icelandic and Swedish child language, investigated word order and discourse pragmatics in adult second and third language learners, and contributed to theory-building in second language research regarding the influence of first and second languages on third language acquisition. Bohnacker's publication record from 2021-2025 reveals a consistent focus on bilingual language development across multiple language pairs (Turkish-Swedish, Arabic-Swedish, German-Swedish), with particular attention to narrative macrostructure, vocabulary development, and language assessment. Her work demonstrates a clear progression from theoretical linguistics to practical applications in educational and clinical settings, with increasing emphasis on developmental language disorders in bilingual contexts. She has been actively involved in the European network COST Action IS0804 on multilingualism and language impairment and has led the development of the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN), now used worldwide. Currently, she leads the interdisciplinary BiLI-TAS project (funded by Vetenskapsrådet 2014-2019 and Riksbankens jubileumsfond 2020-) that maps language development in bilingual Turkish-, Arabic-, and German-speaking preschool children and early school-age children in Sweden. Bohnacker's research group examines language development in both heritage languages and Swedish, identifying typical developmental stages and warning signs for atypical development (language disorder). Her empirical results have direct relevance for theory-building in language acquisition research, language disorders, and speech therapy practice.

• Language development in deaf children
• Literacy development in deaf children
• British Sign Language acquisition
• +7 more

Dr. Kate Rowley is a Lecturer in Deafness, Cognition & Language at University College London (UCL), where she also serves as deputy director of the UCL Deafness, Cognition & Language Research Centre (DCAL) since February 2023. A Deaf researcher raised in a deaf family in Cornwall, Dr. Rowley brings both personal and professional expertise to her work, maintaining active involvement in the deaf community. Her research and teaching focus primarily on language and literacy development of deaf children, with strong advocacy for bilingual education approaches that recognize both sign language and written/spoken language as essential components. Dr. Rowley's educational background includes: Bachelor of Science in Deaf Studies from University of Bristol (2004) Master of Arts in Linguistics from University College London (2006) Master of Science in Psychology Research from University College London (completed with merit) PhD in Experimental Psychology from University College London (2018), with thesis titled 'Visual Word Recognition in Deaf Readers: the interplay between orthographic, semantic & phonological information' Her research spans language acquisition and literacy development among deaf children, examining how deaf children learn and process British Sign Language (BSL) and English. Dr. Rowley has conducted significant research on language attitudes within the British Deaf community, regional variations in BSL, and the impact of external factors like face masks on deaf communication. Her work consistently bridges theoretical psycholinguistics with practical applications for deaf education. Dr. Rowley's publication record demonstrates sustained focus on deaf language development across multiple dimensions, integrating experimental methods with community-based research to ensure practical relevance. Her recent work shows increasing attention to language attitudes, sign language variation, and the social dimensions of deaf communication alongside her foundational work on reading processes in deaf individuals. Dr. Rowley has secured significant research funding, including leading the ESRC project 'Language Comprehension in Deaf Children' (2021-2024), which collected data from 200 deaf people across the UK. She is also collaborating as co-investigator on another ESRC project 'Understanding Variation in Reading Progress in Deaf Children' (commencing April 2024). She provides consultancy services through Language Wise Consultancy and develops language modules for professionals working with deaf children. As an active community member, Dr. Rowley serves as governor for Hamilton Lodge (a deaf school in Brighton), maintains strong relationships with deaf schools in Southeast England, and regularly delivers training on sign language acquisition, cognitive development, and literacy intervention strategies. She is on the editorial board of First Language journal and serves as trustee for several deaf community organizations.