Find Academic Supervisors

Raúl AranovichView profile

Professor

• Theoretical Linguistics
• Syntax
• Morphology
• +14 more

Raúl Aranovich is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. He has been a faculty member at UC Davis since 2001 and previously held academic positions at Ohio State University and the University of Texas at San Antonio. He earned his Ph.D. in Linguistics from UC San Diego in 1996 under the supervision of Professors S.-Y. Kuroda and John Moore. His research centers on theoretical linguistics, particularly the interfaces between syntax, morphology, and semantics, with a focus on grammatical mismatches across these domains. He specializes in Romance languages—especially Spanish—and lesser-studied languages such as Fijian and Shona. His work increasingly integrates computational methods, including corpus linguistics, natural language processing, and knowledge representation via ontologies. He has also contributed to interdisciplinary research in cybersecurity communication and neural machine translation. The recent publications of Raúl Aranovich span a wide range of subfields, from historical linguistics and construction grammar to computational modeling and cross-linguistic typology. A strong trend in his work is the use of formal and empirical methods to analyze syntactic variation, auxiliary selection, impersonal constructions, and morphological complexity, often with a comparative approach across languages. His interdisciplinary collaborations, especially with computer scientists, reflect a growing interest in applying linguistic theory to real-world digital communication and security challenges. Fellow, Linguistic Society of America Raúl Aranovich has mentored numerous students and collaborators, though specific advisees are not listed in the provided text. He has secured research funding through collaborative projects, particularly in computational linguistics and cybersecurity, as evidenced by co-authored publications with researchers in computer science. His work on low-resource machine translation and semantic web applications suggests active grant-supported research. He is involved in modeling grammars using OWL ontologies and has explored language use in digital communities such as GitHub and cybersecurity forums. His research group likely includes students and postdocs working at the intersection of linguistics and computer science, particularly in NLP and knowledge representation.

Anna MargettsView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Language Documentation
• Linguistic Typology
• Syntax-Semantics Interface
• +13 more

Anna Margetts is a Senior Lecturer in the Linguistics Program at Monash University, where she has been a faculty member since 2002. Her academic journey includes a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, fieldwork on the Saliba language of Papua New Guinea, and prior studies at the University of Cologne and SUNY Buffalo. Research Interests: Language documentation and grammatical description Linguistic typology and semantic-syntactic mapping Discourse-syntax interface and narrative structure Three-participant events, valence, and transitivity Demonstratives and spatial deixis Child language acquisition and conceptual metaphors Her recent research focuses on cross-linguistic patterns in semantic encoding, particularly in caused motion and multimodal communication. The analysis of her publications reveals a consistent emphasis on empirical fieldwork, typological comparison, and the interplay between syntax, semantics, and discourse. She has led multiple ARC and VolkswagenStiftung-funded projects, demonstrating sustained external research support. Scientific Engagement: Guest editor and peer reviewer for John Benjamins, Oxford University Press, Linguistics , and Gesture Active contributor to the linguistic research community through editorial and review responsibilities Anna Margetts has supervised Honours, Masters, and PhD theses across diverse topics in linguistics. Her grants include major projects such as 'Where Gesture Meets Grammar' (ARC, 2024–2027) and 'Cross-Linguistic Patterns in Three-Participant Events' (VolkswagenStiftung). She is involved in collaborative, cross-linguistic research networks and continues to publish in leading linguistic venues. Labs and Research Teams: She leads and collaborates in cross-institutional research teams focused on multimodal communication and typological semantics, working with scholars from Germany, the Netherlands, and beyond. Her work integrates linguistic analysis with cognitive and anthropological perspectives.

Valentina BrunettoView profile

Lecturer

• Theoretical Syntax
• Experimental Syntax
• Generative Syntax
• +12 more

Dr. Valentina Brunetto is a Lecturer in Linguistics at the Department of Linguistics and Phonetics, School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, University of Leeds. She is an active researcher in theoretical and experimental syntax, with a strong focus on child language acquisition, anaphora, and the syntax-semantics interface. She is affiliated with the Leeds Child Development Unit and leads the MA Linguistics and MA Linguistics & ELT programs. Education: PhD in Linguistics, University of Leeds MA in Linguistics, University of Siena BA in Journalism, University of Palermo Her research explores the interaction between syntactic structures and interpretation, particularly in early language development. She investigates how children acquire complex syntactic constructions such as attitude reports, causatives, and anaphoric dependencies, with a focus on Italian. Her work integrates generative syntax with experimental methods including eye-tracking and comprehension tasks. The most recent publications reflect a consistent focus on the syntax-semantics interface in child grammar, particularly anaphora resolution, intensionality, and attitude reports. Her work spans theoretical linguistics, psycholinguistics, and developmental linguistics, often using comparative and experimental approaches. Scientific Memberships: Member of the Linguistics Association of Great Britain (LAGB) Dr. Brunetto teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in generative syntax, experimental syntax, language acquisition, and processing. She supervises BA and MA dissertations and welcomes PhD inquiries. She has previously taught at the University of Manchester and held a postdoctoral position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, funded by the Fondazione Marica De Vincenzi. Her research is supported by institutional affiliations and collaborative networks in formal linguistics and child development. She is a core member of the Leeds Child Development Unit and contributes to research groups in Formal Linguistics, Language Acquisition, Language Processing, and Linguistics and Phonetics.

Gunter SenftView profile

Researcher

• Austronesian Languages
• Papuan Languages
• Kilivila Language
• +12 more

Gunter Senft is a prominent linguistic anthropologist and researcher affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Department of Language and Cognition. He also holds the title of Extraordinary Professor for General Linguistics at the University of Cologne. His work focuses on Austronesian and Papuan languages, particularly Kilivila, the language of the Trobriand Islanders. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Papua New Guinea over multiple decades. His research interests include: Nominal classification Semantics and pragmatics Conceptualization of space Anthropological linguistics Language, culture, and cognition Endangered languages The body of Gunter Senft's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the interplay between language, culture, and cognition, particularly through detailed ethnographic and linguistic studies of Oceanic languages. His work spans theoretical pragmatics, narrative structures, spatial reference, and language documentation. A recurring theme is the documentation and analysis of oral traditions and cultural practices, especially from the Trobriand Islands, emphasizing the importance of preserving endangered linguistic systems. His interdisciplinary approach integrates linguistic analysis with anthropological insight, contributing to broader debates on linguistic relativity and cognitive diversity. Scientific recognition includes: AVT/Anéla Award for best dissertation in linguistics in the Netherlands (2012) Otto-Hahn Medal of the Max Planck Society for outstanding scientific achievements (2013) Gunter Senft has played a significant role in academic mentorship and evaluation. He has supervised multiple PhD candidates and served on numerous doctoral committees across institutions such as Radboud University Nijmegen, Universität Heidelberg, and the University of Cologne. His advisory work spans topics in linguistic typology, semantics, and anthropological linguistics. He has also contributed to major archival projects, including digital collections of sound recordings, photographs, and ethnographic materials from Papua New Guinea. These efforts reflect a deep commitment to both scholarly research and the preservation of linguistic and cultural heritage. He has been involved in collaborative research initiatives, including seminars and workshops on semantics and pragmatics with leading scholars such as Stephen C. Levinson and Asifa Majid at Radboud University. His outreach includes participation in public exhibitions, media interviews, and digital dissemination of research materials through the MPI Language Archive and Europeana.

François LareauView profile

Professor

• Computational Lexicology
• Multilingual Text Generation
• Collocations
• +4 more

Professeur agrégé at the Department of Linguistics and Translation, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal. Specializes in computational lexicology, multilingual text generation, and semantic-syntax interfaces. Serves as Director of the Observatoire de linguistique Sens-Texte (OLST). Holds a Ph.D. from Université de Montréal and Université Paris, with postdoctoral research at Macquarie University (Sydney), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona), and Universität Stuttgart (Germany). Education: Ph.D. in Linguistics, Université de Montréal and Université Paris, 2008 Research Interests: Lexical semantics and morphology Automatic text generation Collocation processing Meaning-Text Theory applications Polarized Unification Grammar Key Grants/Projects (selected): Le lexique entre humains et machines , FRQSC grant (2025-2030), leading a multidisciplinary team Automatic generation of lexicographic definitions , SSHRC grant (2018-2023) Twitter-MPhon , SSHRC grant (2021-2025) analyzing morphophonological variation via social media Advising: Supervised over 20 graduate students since 2013, focusing on multilingual generation, collocation modeling, and computational lexicography. Labs/Teams: Directs OLST and collaborates with international networks like MARQUIS for environmental text generation systems.

• Syntax
• Argument Structure
• Theoretical Linguistics
• +3 more

Jaume Mateu Fontanals is a Professor in the Department of Catalan Studies at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), where he is affiliated with the Grup de Recerca de Lingüística Teòrica (Theoretical Linguistics Research Group) and the Center for Theoretical Linguistics. His academic career spans over three decades with significant contributions to theoretical linguistics. His primary research interests center on syntax, argument structure, and theoretical linguistics, with specialized expertise in Romance languages (particularly Catalan), Latin language, and linguistic variation. His research fingerprint prominently features Syntax (100%), Argument Structure (49%), Catalan (42%), Latin Language (35%), conflation (33%), and Romance languages (27%). His recent publications demonstrate continued scholarly productivity with works spanning theoretical syntax analysis, morphological phenomena like parasynthesis, and practical applications of linguistic theory in educational contexts. His work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of Romance language phenomena. Micro parámetros y redes en la variación de las lenguas románicas (2022-2026, active project) Redes de variación microparametricas en las lenguas románicas (2018-2022) La variación en la interfaz léxico-sintaxis (2015-2018) Professor Mateu Fontanals has supervised 28 students throughout his career and maintains an extensive publication record of 115 research outputs, including books, chapters, and peer-reviewed articles in prominent linguistic journals and handbooks.

Adriana Soto CorominasView profile

Researcher

• Bilingualism
• Language Acquisition
• Cognitive Factors in Language Development
• +3 more

Adriana Soto Corominas is a Researcher at the International University of Catalonia (UIC), holding a position in the Department of English Philology and German Studies. She earned her PhD in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in 2018. Her postdoctoral research included roles at the University of Alberta (2018–2021) and UIC (2021–2023). Her research focuses on bilingualism, heritage language development, and morphosyntax in Catalan-Spanish and Arabic-English contexts. She leads projects like LexiCat (vocabulary tests for Catalan) and studies input quality in bilingual children's language acquisition. Her work contributes to SDGs related to education and sustainable development. Key research interests include: Catalan-Spanish bilingualism, heritage language maintenance, cognitive factors in language acquisition, and CLIL methodologies. She has published widely on topics such as third language performance in bilingual children, age effects in Syrian Arabic heritage speakers, and cross-linguistic influence in syntax. Recent projects (2024–2025) investigate vocabulary skills in Catalan and phonetic/morphosyntactic acquisition in bilingual children. She collaborates internationally and has supervised doctoral students. Her studies often use experimental designs and longitudinal data to explore language development in multilingual contexts.

Fabian BrossView profile

Researcher

• Sign languages
• Syntax
• Cognitive linguistics
• +4 more

Fabian Bross is a Researcher affiliated with the University of Stuttgart's Institute of Linguistics, specifically within the Department of Linguistics/German Studies (ILG). His primary research focuses on sign languages, syntax, and cognitive linguistics, with particular attention to topics like iconicity in sign languages, syntactic negation structures, and gender-neutral language practices. He has authored or co-authored numerous publications in leading journals such as Sign Language & Linguistics , Glossa , and Sprachreport , exploring areas including German Sign Language syntax, sociolinguistic perceptions of gendered language forms, and lexical change in sign languages. His work often bridges formal syntactic analysis with cognitive and sociolinguistic perspectives. Notable contributions include a book on the clausal syntax of German Sign Language (2020) and influential studies on the typological and cognitive foundations of linguistic structures. His research frequently employs empirical methods, combining experimental syntax with corpus-based analyses.

Jaakko LeinoView profile

Professor

• Linguistics
• Finnish Language Studies
• Construction Grammar
• +3 more

Jaakko Leino is a Professor at the University of Helsinki's Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies within the Faculty of Arts. He holds a Title of Docent and maintains active academic engagement through research, teaching, and professional service. His primary research interests include Construction Grammar, Finnish syntax, historical linguistics, and language technology, with a focus on exploring the interplay between syntax and lexicon, grammaticalization processes, and theoretical frameworks in linguistic analysis. He has been involved in significant research projects such as 'Mitä on pakko oppia?' (2025–2028) and 'Ajallinen liike ja liikkumisen tapa' (2015–2019), demonstrating his commitment to advancing both theoretical and applied linguistic studies. Leino's research outputs span over two decades, with recent work focusing on topics like constructionist perspectives in grammar formalization and historical syntactic developments in Finnish. His scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. He has also engaged in media appearances, including interviews on Finnish national TV and radio, highlighting the practical implications of his research for education and language policy. In terms of academic service, Leino has served as a reviewer, conference organizer, and doctoral thesis supervisor. Notably, he co-supervised the doctoral thesis 'Väitöskirjatyön ohjaus (Siltaloppi)' (2021–2023). His international collaborations include visits to the University of Texas at Austin and participation in events such as the 12th International Conference of the Spanish Cognitive Linguistics Association. While no specific scientific awards are mentioned, Leino's extensive publication record and active role in multiple projects underscore his impactful contributions to the field of linguistics.

Line MikkelsenView profile

Professor

• Syntax
• Semantics
• Morphology
• +7 more

Line Mikkelsen is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Linguistics within the College of Letters and Science. Her research focuses on syntax, semantics, and morphology, with special attention to Danish and other Germanic languages, as well as Karuk and other indigenous languages of California. She is also engaged with the philosophy of language and is a core member of the Syntax and Semantics faculty group. Her research interests include formal syntactic theory, semantic interpretation, morphological structure, and cross-linguistic variation. She investigates phenomena such as VP ellipsis, verb-second order, resumption, and head movement, primarily through the lens of Danish grammar, contributing to broader theoretical debates in generative linguistics. The recent publications (2015–2018) highlight her sustained focus on Danish syntax and its implications for universal grammar. Themes include anaphora, movement, ellipsis, and clause architecture, reflecting a deep engagement with both empirical data and theoretical modeling in formal linguistics. She earned her PhD from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a leading institution in linguistic theory. This academic background has shaped her rigorous approach to syntactic and semantic analysis. Line Mikkelsen actively contributes to the academic community through collaborative publications and edited volumes, such as festschrifts honoring prominent linguists, indicating her integration within the national and international linguistics network. Contact: mikkelsen@berkeley.edu | Office: 1210 Dwinelle Hall

• Syntax
• Semantics
• Prosody
• +7 more

Justin Royer is an Assistant Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Linguistics and Translation at the Université de Montréal, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He previously held a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley and earned his PhD in Linguistics from McGill University in 2022 under the supervision of Jessica Coon, Luis Alonso-Ovalle, and Aron Hirsch. Research Interests: Theoretical syntax, semantics, and prosody Mayan languages, especially Chuj (spoken in Guatemala and Mexico) Québec French, particularly negation and clause-typing Language documentation and fieldwork methodologies Linguistic typology and cross-linguistic comparison His research bridges formal linguistic theory and empirical fieldwork, focusing on under-represented Indigenous languages. He investigates how syntactic structures interact with prosody and semantics, with a particular interest in phenomena such as anaphora, definiteness, classifiers, modality, and ergativity. Recent Research Trends: His most recent publications (2022–2025) reveal a strong focus on the interplay between syntax and semantics in Mayan languages, particularly Chuj and Mam. Key themes include animacy hierarchies, binding theory, ergative anaphors, modal indefinites, quantifier interpretation, and the syntax-prosody interface. He also continues to explore expletive negation and clause-typing in Québec French, contributing to the understanding of variation within Romance languages. Scientific Awards: Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Advising and Grants: While specific advisees are not listed, Justin Royer has co-authored work with graduate students and collaborators such as Cristina Buenrostro, Rodrigo Ranero, and Noah Elkins, indicating active mentoring. His Banting Fellowship—a highly competitive award—demonstrates significant research funding and recognition. His ongoing collaborations and publication record suggest continued grant support and academic leadership. Labs and Research Groups: He is affiliated with research circles and workshops at major institutions, including the Syntax-Semantics Circle at UC Berkeley and the Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto-Hamilton Syntax Workshop. His invited talks at Stanford, UCLA, and the University of Washington reflect active engagement in the broader formal linguistics community.

• Syntax
• Mandarin Chinese Linguistics
• Diachronic Syntax
• +2 more

Waltraud Paul is a Research Director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), affiliated with the Center for Linguistic Research on East Asia (CRLAO) since 1994. She is a member of Research Team II focusing on Formal Syntax and Semantics of Contemporary East Asian Languages: Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese. Her work is centered at the Condorcet Campus in Aubervilliers, France. Dr. Paul's primary research focuses on the syntax of modern Mandarin Chinese, with additional work in diachronic syntax of Chinese. Her specific interests include the structure of the extended VP in Mandarin, the ba-construction, focus cleft constructions (shi...de), left periphery and low IP areas including topic markers and sentence-final particles, adjective vs verb distinctions, adjectival modification, double object constructions, syntax/semantics mismatches, and serial verb constructions. She has made significant contributions to understanding the formal structure of Chinese syntax within broader linguistic theory. Her recent publications demonstrate continued engagement with fundamental questions in Chinese syntax, particularly regarding sentence-final particles, aspect marking, small clauses, and topic prominence. Her work consistently bridges theoretical linguistics with detailed empirical analysis of Chinese language phenomena. Dr. Paul serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious linguistics journals, including Glossa (associate editor since 2016, interim co-editor-in-chief in 2015), Linguistic Inquiry (associate editorial board since 2018), and previously Lingua (2010-2015) and Linguistics Notebooks – Asia - Oriental (co-editor-in-chief 1992-2000). She has authored two influential books: "New Perspectives on Chinese Syntax" (2015) and "The Syntax of Verb-Object Phrases in Chinese: Constraints and Reanalysis" (1988), both contributing significantly to the field of Chinese linguistics and theoretical syntax more broadly.

Géraldine LegendreView profile

Professor

• Adult and child syntax
• Optimality Theory
• Models of the interfaces
• +6 more

Géraldine Legendre is a Professor and Chair at the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University. Her research explores the architecture of language, with a focus on syntax, cross-linguistic variation, and the role of optimization in linguistic models. Education: PhD in Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego Her work spans syntactic theory, child language acquisition, and formal models of variation, particularly in French, Romance, and Balkan languages. She investigates mappings between lexical semantics, prosody, and information structure in syntactic frameworks.

Fredrik HeinatView profile

Associate Professor

• syntax
• semantics
• morphology
• +8 more

Fredrik Heinat is an Associate Professor at Lund University's Centre for Languages and Literature, Faculty of Humanities and Theology. His academic work focuses on English linguistics with particular expertise in syntax, semantics, and psycholinguistics. He maintains an active research profile with numerous publications and ongoing projects in linguistic theory and language processing. Dr. Heinat's research interests span multiple areas of theoretical and experimental linguistics. His primary focus includes syntax, semantics, morphology, theoretical linguistics, psycholinguistics, language processing, argument structure, predicate formation, reference, quantifiers, and Scandinavian languages. His work often bridges theoretical linguistic frameworks with empirical psycholinguistic methods to investigate how language is processed and represented in the mind. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on quantification, negation, discourse structure, and agreement phenomena, with particular emphasis on Scandinavian languages (especially Swedish). Through a combination of experimental methods including ERP studies, EEG, and production experiments, he has made significant contributions to our understanding of how linguistic constraints interact with cognitive processing during language comprehension and production. Dr. Heinat has received research funding from prestigious organizations including the Swedish Research Council and Olle Engkvists stiftelse. His current projects include "Mood and sentence processing," "V2 in main and embedded clauses in English and Danish over the last thousand years," "Memory representations and language processing," "Quantification in Swedish," and "Development and validation of a conceptual span task in Swedish." These projects reflect his interdisciplinary approach spanning historical linguistics, cognitive science, and theoretical syntax. As a dedicated educator, Dr. Heinat teaches courses in English linguistics including "English: Level 2," "English: Linguistic Analysis," "English: English Grammar," and advanced courses for higher-level students. His teaching reflects his research expertise, providing students with both theoretical foundations and exposure to current research methodologies in linguistics. Dr. Heinat is actively involved in the academic community through conference presentations, workshop organization, and collaborative research. His ORCID profile (0000-0002-2537-2965) documents his extensive publication record and research contributions across multiple subfields of linguistics.

Aria AdliView profile

Professor

• Sociolinguistics
• Syntax
• Information Structure
• +4 more

Aria Adli is a Professor of Linguistics at the Department of Romance Studies , University of Cologne, where he has been tenured since April 2014. He serves as Head of the Sociolinguistic Lab and is a principal investigator in the CRC 1412 (Register: Language-Users’ Knowledge of Situational-Functional Variation). Research focus: Grammatical variation, syntax in speech contexts, information structure, social stratification (Bourdieu), and register analysis Education: Habilitation from University of Freiburg (2011); PhD in Romance Linguistics (Tübingen 2004); Double MA in Linguistics/Psychology His work combines cross-cultural analysis (French, Spanish, Catalan, Persian) with empirical methods including fieldwork, corpus analysis, acceptability judgments, statistics, and computer simulations . He leads the Sociolinguistic Lab Cologne and has organized international workshops like the Flexible and Multiple Plural Marking in Language Contact (2022) and Sounds and Structure in Language and Music (2016). Scientific grants include CRC 1412 (2020-2027), DAAD EduVenTure (2020-2021), CRC 1252 (2017-2020), and DFG grants for projects like The Relation between Grammar and Usage (2013-2017). He has supervised 15+ students including PhDs by Amalia Canes Nápoles and Eric Engel.