Christine Meklenborg Nilsen is a Professor and Head of Department at ILOS (University of Oslo) , specializing in theoretical linguistics with a focus on Verb-Second (V2) structures in Old French and Germanic languages. Her work contrasts historical syntax across languages, including topics like topicalization and resumptive structures that challenge V2 constraints. Research Interests : Verb-Second (V2) syntactic constraints Historical evolution of Romance and Germanic languages Clitic clusters and word order changes Cartographic approach to syntax Projects : Led the Traces of History (2013–2017) project on V2 retention in Germanic vs. Romance languages. Currently leads ILOS Department, limiting active research/teaching. Collaborations : Co-edited influential works on V2 languages with Oxford University Press. Active in Grammar and Meaning and Language Change research groups.
Prof. Vsevolod Kapatsinski holds the position of Professor and Department Head in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on computational learning theory, language change mechanisms, and usage-based linguistic approaches. He earned a Ph.D. in Linguistics & Cognitive Science from Indiana University (2009) and an M.A. in Linguistics from the University of New Mexico (2005). His work bridges theoretical linguistics with experimental methods, emphasizing statistical learning, morphological theory, and sound change. Notable contributions include studies on cue reweighting in language learning, hierarchical inference in phonological variation, and the role of frequency in linguistic processing. Kapatsinski leads the Usage-Based Language Lab (UBLab), exploring language production, acquisition, and diachronic change through behavioral and computational experiments. Recent research highlights include analyzing morphological systems in agglutinative languages, developing theories of repetition in speech production, and investigating the interplay between type/token frequency in linguistic representation. His publications span journals such as Cognition, Frontiers in Psychology, and Language, with a focus on cognitive and statistical mechanisms driving linguistic structure. Prof. Kapatsinski’s research is supported by interdisciplinary grants and collaborations, contributing to both theoretical advancements and methodological innovations in linguistics. He maintains an active role in mentoring graduate students and advancing the field through his editorial work and conference participation.
Abdel-Khalig Ali is an Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Linguistics at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. He specializes in the phonology of contemporary Sudanese Arabic dialects and is on leave from July 2025 to June 2026. Education: PhD, University of Toronto Research Interests: His work focuses on synchronic and diachronic phonology, prosodic structure, morphophonology, and the interaction between phonology and syntax. Key topics include the phonology-syntax interface, metrical structure, and the emergence of morphophonological features in spoken Arabic dialects. Publications: Recent works include Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXXIII (2021), Post-lexical strata... (2019), and Prosodic domains... (2017), exploring themes like phrasal phonology, syllabification, and Sudanese Arabic dialectal features. Teaching and research are central to his career, emphasizing dialectal analysis and linguistic theory.
Emily Atkinson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga within the Department of Language Studies . She is also affiliated with the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto main campus. Her pronouns are she/her/hers , and she is based at 4150 Maanjiwe nendamowinan, Mississauga campus. PhD, John Hopkins University MA, Johns Hopkins University MS, Georgetown University BA, Georgetown University Emily's research focuses on acquisition psycholinguistics , syntax , and sentence processing . She investigates topics like long-distance dependencies , filler-gap constructions , and wh-island acceptability , combining theoretical syntax with empirical child/adult parsing studies. Her publications (2010-2024) reveal consistent interest in syntactic ambiguity resolution, dependency processing, and language acquisition mechanisms. While no explicit awards are listed, her dual departmental affiliation underscores institutional recognition of her interdisciplinary contributions. Prospective graduate students at the University of Toronto can contact her via e.atkinson@utoronto.ca for supervision opportunities in syntax or psycholinguistics research.
Dr. Annika Tjuka is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig. She received her Ph.D. in Linguistics with highest honors (summa cum laude) from Friedrich Schiller University Jena in March 2024. Her research integrates findings from linguistics and psychology using computational approaches to explore linguistic diversity, particularly variations in word meanings across languages. Dr. Tjuka's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Linguistics (2024) - Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena and International Max Planck Research School for the Science of Human History (IMPRS-SHH) Master of Arts in Linguistics (2019) - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Bachelor of Arts in German Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies (2016) - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Her primary research focuses on linguistic diversity and the semantic patterns of word meanings across languages. Dr. Tjuka has developed a cross-linguistic database containing rich information on word properties across 39 languages (https://norare.clld.org). She has conducted significant research on the semantic domain of the human body, investigating the intricate interplay between language, culture, and cognition. Her work on body-object colexifications has been published in Linguistic Typology, and her research on body part vocabularies has been published in Scientific Reports. Dr. Tjuka's research shows a strong emphasis on cross-linguistic patterns, particularly in semantic domains related to body parts and object naming. Her work combines computational approaches with cognitive and psychological insights to uncover universal and culture-specific factors that shape linguistic structures. She has made significant contributions to lexical database development, particularly through her work on Concepticon and NoRaRe. Her notable scientific achievement is the receipt of the Otto Hahn Medal, a prestigious award from the Max Planck Society recognizing outstanding scientific achievements during doctoral studies. Dr. Tjuka is actively involved in science communication, having presented her research at events like Soapbox Science Berlin. She values conducting culturally informed and theoretically motivated research that embraces diversity, publishing open-access work to increase accessibility, and building an ecosystem for interdisciplinary researchers while mentoring the next generation of cognitive scientists.
Prof. Artemis Alexiadou is a Director of the Leibniz Centre General Linguistics (ZAS) and holds an S-Professorship in General Linguistics at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. She leads major research projects funded by DFG and ERC, focusing on syntax, morphology, heritage languages, and language variation. Her work spans experimental syntax, language contact, and the interfaces between syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. She coordinates the LeibnizDream Synergy Grant, investigating child languages as mirrors of cognitive structures. Alexiadou has held academic roles at institutions including Stanford University, University of Stuttgart, and University of Potsdam, and has earned prestigious awards like the Leibniz Prize and honorary doctorates. Her research integrates theoretical linguistics with empirical studies, including experimental investigations into language acquisition and heritage language grammars. Education : Ph.D. in Linguistics, Universität Potsdam (1994) Habilitation in Linguistics, Universität Potsdam (1999) MA in Linguistics, University of Reading, UK (1990) Philology (Linguistics specialization), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1986) Research Interests : Syntax-Morphology Interface, Heritage Languages, Cross-Linguistic Variation, Language Contact, and Experimental Approaches to Syntax. Her projects include SFB CRC 1412 (Register Variation), Boolean Connectives (Logic-Language Interplay), and RUEG P10 (Verbal Aspect in Contact). Key Awards : Leibniz Prize (2014) Berlin Science Award (2023) Academia Europaea Membership (2020) Grants & Projects : ERC Synergy Grant (LeibnizDream), DFG SFB 1412, ANR-DFG projects, and Leibniz Prize-funded research on heritage grammars. She oversees the 'Experimental Syntax and Heritage Languages' group at HU Berlin.
Kateryna Iefremenko is a Researcher at Universität Potsdam, affiliated with the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1412 'Register' (Project C03) and the DFG Research Unit 'Emerging Grammars in Language-Contact Situations.' Her work focuses on multilingualism, heritage languages, and language contact, particularly in Turkish, Kurdish, Ukrainian, Russian, German, and English contexts. She holds a PhD from Universität Potsdam (2024) and has extensive experience in postdoctoral and doctoral research roles. Education: PhD in German Studies, Universität Potsdam (2018–2024), Dissertation: 'Word Order in Turkish and Kurmanji Kurdish in Language Contacts.' MA in Turkish Language and Literature, Gazi University, Ankara (2012–2016). MA and BA in English and Turkish Language Teaching, Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University (2008–2012). Research interests span multilingualism, heritage language acquisition, syntax in bilingual contexts, and discourse organization in language contact scenarios. Her recent work includes studies on narrative structures in Ukrainian-Russian bilinguals and post-verbal syntax in heritage Turkish. She co-organized the DGfS-Workshop on heritage speakers' language learning and contributes to academic events like the International Congress of Linguists. She teaches courses on multilingualism and second language acquisition at Humboldt University of Berlin. Labs/Teams: Active in CRC 1412 and the Research Unit P9 on discourse dynamics in language contact. Editorial Board member of Register Aspects of Language in Situation (REALIS) .
Melanie J. Bell is a Professor of Quantitative Linguistics at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Cambridge. Her research focuses on the relationship between phonetic detail and word meaning, particularly in compound nouns, and explores how variability in pronunciation and interpretation reflect linguistic and cognitive processes. Dr. Bell holds a PhD in English and Applied Linguistics from the University of Cambridge, alongside an MPhil and BA in Natural Sciences from the same institution. She has received significant funding, including a Mercator Fellowship (2015–2018) and an EU Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Fellowship (2017–2018). Her research interests include the mental lexicon, prosody, semantic transparency, and second language acquisition. She has co-authored influential studies on compound interpretation, computational modeling of bilingual lexicons, and the role of predictability in language processing. Grants : Mercator Fellowship (German Science Foundation) EU Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Fellowship British Academy Skills Acquisition Award (2013) Teaching : Introduction to Linguistics, Phonetics/Phonology, and Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Collaborations : Projects with the University of Tübingen, University of Düsseldorf, and University of Jena. Dr. Bell is a Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy and a member of the UK Cognitive Linguistics Association and ESRC peer review college.
Nadine Proske is a Researcher in the Pragmatics Department at the Leibniz Institute for the German Language (IDS) in Mannheim, Germany. Her academic journey includes a PhD in General Linguistics from TU Berlin (2005-2011) and a research role at IDS since 2012. She has led and contributed to projects such as 'Grammaticalization and Pragmaticization' and 'Verb Complements in Spoken German.' Her work focuses on the grammar of spoken German, information structure, and usage-based approaches, combining empirical methods like corpus analysis and transcription. Education and Career: 1999–2005: Studies in General Linguistics, Modern German Philology, and Educational Science at TU Berlin 2005–2011: PhD in General Linguistics at TU Berlin Since 2012: Research Assistant at IDS Research Interests: Proske explores syntactic structures in spoken German, discourse pragmatics, grammaticalization, and the interaction between syntax and discourse. Her work emphasizes empirical methods, including corpus analysis and transcription, to understand how linguistic units function in interaction. Key Projects: Head of 'Grammaticalization and Pragmaticization' project Collaborator in 'Verb Complements in Spoken German' (2012–2016) Contributor to 'Interactive Meaning Constitution' (2016–2021) and SegCor project (2016–2019) Teaching: Proske has held lecturing roles at TU Berlin, WWU Münster, University of Potsdam, University of Bremen, and University of Mannheim between 2005 and 2022. Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary research groups focusing on spoken German, corpus linguistics, and interactional linguistics at IDS, collaborating on projects like the Yearbook of the Institute for the German Language and studies on motion verbs in conversation.
Overview Pocholo Umbal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto, located on the Downtown Toronto (St. George) campus. His research focuses on sociolinguistics, particularly language variation and change in heritage language communities and multilingual contexts. He specializes in sociophonetic analysis of Tagalog and Canadian English, with additional interests in linguistics pedagogy and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives in academia. Education PhD in Linguistics, University of Toronto MA in Linguistics, Simon Fraser University BSc in Cell Biology and Linguistics, Simon Fraser University Research Interests Dr. Umbal investigates bilingual language contact phenomena, focusing on phonetic variation in Heritage Tagalog and Canadian English ethnolects. His work explores how sociocultural factors influence linguistic behavior, particularly among Asian North American communities. He collaborates with scholars like Dr. Andrew Cheng and Dr. Nathan Sanders on projects addressing EDI in linguistics education, developing tools like the Diverse Names Database to promote inclusive teaching practices. Collaborations He participates in interdisciplinary teams studying Asian North American English variation and co-leads efforts to reform linguistics teaching through equity-centered frameworks. His research also addresses gender and language norms, challenging traditional linguistic prescriptivism.
Christopher Shank is a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics (Language Variation and Change) at Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language. He holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of New Mexico, with additional degrees in TESOL and Bilingual Education. His research focuses on language variation, bilingualism, corpus linguistics, and critical discourse analysis, particularly in healthcare contexts for Deaf communities. He has supervised numerous MA and PhD students, exploring topics like sociolinguistic variation, political discourse, and EFL methodology. Education: Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of New Mexico MA in TESOL, SIT Graduate Institute BA in International Relations, Political Science, and History, University of Wisconsin–Madison Research Interests: Language variation/change, bilingual/multilingual identity, corpus linguistics, critical discourse analysis, healthcare accessibility for Deaf communities. Recent work includes studies on Deaf healthcare experiences in Wales and parenting programs in British Sign Language. Grants & Projects: Public Health Wales Scoping Study on Deaf health (2018) Wales School for Social Care Research Grant on Deaf parenting materials (2018) Santander Mobility Grant for research in Brazil (2020) Publications: Recent articles address Deaf healthcare access, grammaticalization patterns, and corpus-based analyses of cognitive verbs. His work bridges linguistic theory and applied contexts like public health. Teaching: Teaches courses on semantics, syntax, language history, and corpus linguistics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Luca Melchior serves as Head of the Institute of German Studies at Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, where he holds a full professorship in German Studies. His academic roles include Deputy Head of Institute and leadership in subject didactics initiatives. Specializing in general linguistics, applied linguistics, and sociolinguistics, his research focuses on multilingualism, Romance studies, and language policy with particular emphasis on Friulian and Occitan dialects. His research priorities span lexicography, historical linguistics networks, and linguistic documentation. Notable projects include analyses of Hugo Schuchardt's correspondence networks and contributions to Friulian language standardization. He leads the Linguistics and Literature team alongside colleagues like Barbara Neymeyr and Sabrina Gardener, and coordinates the Austrian Forum for German Didactics (ÖFDD). Recent publications (2015–2019) explore multilingual urban dynamics, linguistic networks, and collaborative lexicography methods. His work bridges historical linguistic analysis with contemporary issues in minority language preservation and digital humanities applications. Teaching activities focus on German didactics methodologies and Romance philology. Professional activities include editorial roles for ide – information on German didactics and participation in literary conferences. Office hours are by appointment via email at N.1.55 campus location.
Dr. Marc Olivier is a Departmental Lecturer in French Linguistics at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Faculty of Linguistics, Philology, and Phonetics. He holds a MSc in Formal Linguistics and a PhD in Historical Syntax. His research focuses on formal syntax, historical syntax, and language change in Romance languages, particularly Old French, Old Occitan, and modern Romance varieties. Key topics include clitic placement, auxiliary selection, clause size, and restructuring, approached through the Minimalist framework. Affiliations: Chercheur invité at the Maison Française d'Oxford. Member of the CLESTHIA research team at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris. Executive Board member of Societas Linguistica Europaea and former member of the Linguistics Association of Great Britain. Education: MSc and PhD in Linguistics. Teaching: Courses on General Linguistics, Syntax, Historical Linguistics, and Modern French Linguistics at the University of Oxford. Recognition: 2023 Seal of Excellence from the European Commission. His research monograph, Clitic Placement in the History of French , is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. He actively organizes academic events, including DiGS26 (June 2025) and a workshop at the 58th Societas Linguistica Europaea conference (August 2025).
Dr. Daniel Van Olmen is a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Lancaster's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), specifically within the Linguistics and English Language department. He holds editorial roles as Editor-in-Chief of the *Trends in Linguistics - Studies and Monographs* series and former editor of *Ampersand: An International Journal of General and Applied Linguistics*. His research focuses on tense, mood, modality, pragmatic markers, negation, and language change in West Germanic languages, with broader interests in areal linguistics, contrastive linguistics, and corpus-driven approaches. Education: PhD in Linguistics from the University of Antwerp, Belgium; MA in Advanced Studies in Cognitive and Functional Linguistics (University of Leuven); and dual MA/BA degrees in Germanic linguistics and literature (University of Antwerp). Research interests include Standard Average European typology, imperative negation asymmetries, and cross-linguistic studies of impoliteness and impersonalization strategies. Current projects involve corpus analyses of directive strategies in English/Dutch, World Englishes modality, and West Germanic language contact phenomena. Teaching responsibilities include courses on linguistics fundamentals, global language structures, historical language change, and cognitive linguistics. His publications span over two decades, with recent emphasis on impoliteness markers, imperative syntax, and language contact effects. He actively contributes to academic communities through editorial work and conference organization, such as the 2023 workshop on imperatives and directive strategies at the Societas Linguistica Europaea.
Professor David Adger is a Professor of Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London, part of the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. His primary research focuses on syntax, exploring the cognitive underpinnings of linguistic structure, its relationship to meaning and sound, and cross-linguistic variation. He has extensively studied Scottish Gaelic and other Celtic languages, while also analyzing data from diverse languages to refine generative syntactic theories. Notable contributions include his book *Language Unlimited* (2019), which demystifies formal linguistics for broader audiences. His work bridges theoretical syntax with sociolinguistics, examining probabilistic patterns in syntactic usage and dialectal variation, such as in Scots. He advocates for the autonomy of syntax while engaging with interdisciplinary questions about language evolution and cognition. Adger is affiliated with the Formal Linguistics Research Group at Queen Mary and maintains an active blog discussing linguistic theory and current debates in the field.
