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Walter BisangView profile

Professor

• Linguistic Typology
• Language Contact/Areal Typology
• Grammaticalization
• +8 more

**Walter Bisang** is a Full Professor of General and Comparative Linguistics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 1992. He holds memberships in the Academia Europaea (since 2016) and the Academy of Sciences and Literature, Mainz (since 2015). His research focuses on linguistic typology, grammaticalization, and cross-linguistic variation, with special attention to East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Caucasian languages. Bisang has directed major research initiatives, including the Collaborative Research Center (SFB 295) on 'Cultural and Linguistic Contacts' (1999–2008) and contributed to the PLATO project on language, cognition, and education. **Education**: PhD in General Linguistics, University of Zurich (1990); studies in Thai, Cambodian, and linguistics at SOAS, University of London (1986–1987). Earlier studies in linguistics, Chinese, and Georgian at the University of Zurich (1978–1986). **Research Interests**: Hidden complexity in grammar, grammaticalization processes, sociolinguistic factors in language change, and the interplay between language structure and cognitive processing. He has conducted fieldwork in Asia, Africa, and Europe, including visits at Zhejiang University, University of Hong Kong, and Chulalongkorn University. **Key Projects**: Editor-in-Chief of *Trends in Linguistics* (1996–2009), coordinator of the Research Center SOCUM (2009–2014), and advisor to over 30 PhD students annually through the Landesgraduiertenförderung (1996–2010). **Awards**: Recognized for contributions to linguistics through prestigious academic fellowships and editorial roles. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with interdisciplinary studies in education, neurolinguistics, and cognitive science.

David HeapView profile

Professor

• Linguistics
• French Linguistics
• Spanish Linguistics
• +7 more

David Heap is a Professor in the Department of French Studies at the University of Western Ontario. He holds a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Linguistics from the University of Toronto (1997), an MA in French (1990), and an Honours B.A. in French, Spanish, and Linguistics (1988). His research focuses on general linguistics with specializations in French, Spanish, and historical linguistics, including morphology, phonology, linguistic variation, Romance dialectology, translation theory, and language and gender. His current research includes co-investigation in a seven-year SSHRC project Surviving Memory in Post-War El Salvador , involving fieldwork in Chalatenango, El Salvador. He also studies the grammatical expression of gender diversity in Spanish and French, and the pronominal morphology of Gallo-Romance, Occitan, and Ibero-Romance varieties. Education: Ph.D. (Toronto: Langues et linguistique romane), 1997 MA (Toronto: French), 1990 Honours B.A. (Toronto: French, Spanish, Linguistics), 1988 Heap has published extensively in linguistics, including a monograph on morphological variation in Occitan and co-edited volumes on Romance Languages. His work often addresses theoretical syntax, language contact, and sociopolitical dimensions of linguistic practice. He has collaborated on projects involving translation ethics, gender-inclusive language, and endangered heritage languages like Faetar. He supervises translation and fieldwork activities for international research teams and contributes to the Atlas lingüístico de la Península Ibérica . His recent articles explore gendered language use in Spanish and French, translation challenges in participatory research contexts, and geolinguistic patterns in Alpine French dialects.

• Generative Syntax
• Formal Syntax
• Diachronic Linguistics
• +3 more

Marc Richards is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen's University Belfast. His research focuses on generative syntactic theory within Noam Chomsky's Minimalist Program, emphasizing biolinguistic principles such as economy, simplicity, and optimal design. He also investigates comparative and diachronic syntax, particularly in Germanic and Slavonic languages. Research Interests: Dr. Richards explores syntax-interpretation and syntax-externalization interfaces, formal syntactic modeling, and the application of Minimalist Program principles to cross-linguistic variation and language change. His work addresses theoretical challenges like economy principles, syntactic phases, and the Free Merge hypothesis. Recent Research Activity: His recent publications include contributions to the Cambridge Handbook of the Minimalist Program (2024) and analyses of FORMCOPY mechanisms in syntactic derivation (2024). He has also re-evaluated foundational principles (A and B) under a Free Merge framework (2020) and explored projection problems in syntactic theory (2019). Advising & Grants: He welcomes PhD applications in syntax, morphology, and formal approaches to language acquisition. He does not supervise applied linguistics or TESOL-related projects. His research has been presented at international conferences, including invited talks at the University of Leipzig (2024) and the Catalan Linguistics Society (2019). Labs/Teams: While no specific lab affiliation is noted, his collaborative work includes contributions to the Routledge Critical Concepts in Linguistics series (2017) and interdisciplinary projects linking syntax to biolinguistic theory.

• Language Acquisition
• Bilingualism
• Multilingualism
• +8 more

Marit Westergaard is a Professor of English Linguistics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, affiliated with the Department of Language and Culture within the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education. She also serves as Secretary General of The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. Her research focuses on multilingualism, bilingualism, and language acquisition, with special emphasis on syntactic variation, grammatical gender, and heritage languages. She leads the Center for Language, Brain & Learning (C-LaBL), funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation, which explores multilingualism through experimental methods like eye-tracking and EEG/ERP. Key projects include AcqVA (Acquisition, Variation & Attrition), the Psycholinguistics of Language Representation (PoLaR) lab, and international networks such as MultiGender and MuMin. She develops theoretical frameworks like the Micro-cue Model and Linguistic Proximity Model, explaining language acquisition and cross-linguistic influence. Her work engages with Norwegian dialects, Russian, German, and English, addressing topics like word order variation, attrition, and diachronic change. She collaborates with Bilingualism Matters to provide evidence-based advice for multilingual families through the initiative "Flere språk til flere." Recent research highlights include investigating CLI in L3 acquisition, syntactic variation in heritage languages, and the role of structural similarity in bilingual cognition. She supervises interdisciplinary projects funded by the RCN and EU, contributing to both theoretical and applied linguistics domains.

Maria PolinskyView profile

Professor

• Syntactic Theory
• Language Universals
• Heritage Languages
• +5 more

Maria Polinsky is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Maryland, College Park, affiliated with the Department of Linguistics and the Language Science Center (UMD LSC). She leads initiatives such as the Guatemala Field Station and Polinsky Language Labs, focusing on endangered and heritage languages. Her research spans syntactic theory, language universals, and heritage language structures, with a focus on ergativity, verb-initial languages, and Austronesian/Mayan/Caucasian languages. Polinsky has organized and participated in numerous international conferences and workshops, including the Heritage Language Institute and the YALP summer school. She is the author of Heritage Languages and Their Speakers (2018) and co-editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Comparative Syntax (forthcoming 2025). Her work integrates experimental syntax, field linguistics, and theoretical syntax to explore bilingual grammars and language variation. Key contributions include studies on applicative constructions, antipassive voice systems, and the structural parallels between heritage and endangered languages. She directs field stations promoting linguistic research in Guatemala and the South Pacific, emphasizing sustainable language documentation practices.

Alex MielkeView profile

Lecturer

• Primate Sociality and Cooperation
• Animal Behavior
• Reproducibility in Observational Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Alex Mielke is a Lecturer in Psychology and Open Science Lead at Queen Mary University of London's School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences. He holds a PhD in Biology (2018) from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, an MSc in Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology (2012) from the University of St Andrews, and a BSc in Psychology (2010) from Freie Universität Berlin. His research focuses on primate sociality, cooperation, and communication, with emphasis on wild primates like chimpanzees and sooty mangabeys. He is particularly interested in reproducibility in observational studies, animal play sequences, and non-verbal communication. Education: PhD in Biology, 2018: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig MSc in Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology, 2012: University of St Andrews BSc in Psychology, 2010: Freie Universität Berlin His research interests include quantifying social structures in primates, improving reproducibility in ethological methods, and analyzing play behavior as a window into cognitive complexity. He has developed tools like NetFACS for facial communication analysis and contributed to studies on chimpanzee gesture syntax. He leads projects funded by the Leverhulme Trust and ESRC, including work on primate play's grammatical structure and syntactical analysis of ape gestures. Dr. Mielke has supervised PhD student Kassandra Giragosian and postdoctoral researcher Alexandra Safryghin. His awards include a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2021–2023) and a Newton International Fellowship (2020–2021). He is affiliated with Queen Mary University’s Centre for Brain and Behaviour and the Wild Minds Lab at the University of St Andrews.

• Language Acquisition
• Language Processing
• Syntax
• +3 more

Dr. Juliana Gerard is a Lecturer in Linguistics at Ulster University's School of Communication and Media, within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. She specializes in language acquisition and processing, particularly focusing on syntax, bilingualism, and the role of working memory. Her work bridges linguistics with cognitive science, exploring how domain-general processes interact with language development. Education PhD in Linguistics, University of Maryland (2016) M.A. in Linguistics, UCLA (2011) B.A. in Linguistics, Spanish, and Cognitive Science, UCLA (2011) P.G. Certificate in Higher Education Practice, Ulster University (2018) Research Interests Her research investigates first and second language acquisition, particularly syntactic development in children and adults. Key themes include adjunct control, bilingualism, and AI applications in education. She leads initiatives like the Ulster Child Studies Consortium and collaborates on projects such as AI integration in academic settings. Grants & Awards 2024-2025 Research Impact Fund (£4,979) 2024 International Science Partnerships Fund (£40,122) 2016 NSF Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant ($16,781) Teaching & Outreach She teaches courses on language acquisition, research methods, and child language. She oversees MSc dissertations and leads outreach programs to engage families in child development research. Key Projects Ulster Centre on Multilingualism (UCoM) collaborations Workshop on AI Applications for Research Contexts

• Formal Semantics
• Pragmatics
• Syntax-Semantics Interface
• +3 more

Wataru Uegaki is a Reader (Associate Professor) and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Linguistics and English Language, part of the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. He holds a PhD from MIT (2015) and previously taught at Leiden University. His research focuses on formal semantics and pragmatics, exploring how word meanings interact with grammatical structures across languages. He leads two major projects: the UKRI-funded Logic in Semantic Universals (2022-2025) and the AHRC/DFG MECORE project (2021-2024), investigating clausal embedding restrictions and cross-linguistic modal generalizations. Uegaki teaches semantics and pragmatics at undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing empirical and theoretical approaches. He has supervised over 20 students, including PhD candidates James Engels and Fred Whibley. His work combines experimental methods with theoretical frameworks, contributing to semantic universals and evolutionary linguistics. Collaborators include institutions in Edinburgh, Konstanz, Amsterdam, and beyond. He maintains active research profiles on his website and Google Scholar .

• Psycholinguistics
• Cognitive Science
• Language Production
• +5 more

Dr. Kumiko Fukumura is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Stirling, UK. Her research focuses on the cognitive mechanisms underlying language production and comprehension, particularly in how speakers choose referring expressions and listeners interpret ambiguous linguistic structures. She holds a primary interest in the interplay between syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic factors in communication. Dr. Fukumura's work examines questions such as how speakers navigate referential choices considering listener knowledge, sentence structure preferences, and cross-linguistic differences. Her research employs experimental methods including eye-tracking, computational modeling, and cross-linguistic comparisons with languages like Hindi, Mandarin, French, and Japanese. Her publications (2009–2025) consistently explore themes of referential overspecification, ambiguity avoidance strategies, syntactic vs. non-syntactic structure effects, and developmental aspects of sentence processing. Over 15 recent articles demonstrate her expertise in psycholinguistics and cognitive science, with a focus on production-comprehension asymmetries and cross-linguistic variation in communication strategies. Dr. Fukumura collaborates with the Cognition in Complex Environments and Behavioural Science research groups at the University of Stirling. Her work bridges experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to understanding human communication systems.

Kristin Klubbo BrodahlView profile

Associate Professor

• German Linguistics
• Syntax
• Semantics
• +3 more

Kristin Klubbo Brodahl is an Associate Professor in German Linguistics at the University of Oslo's Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages since 2024. Previously, she held teaching and research positions at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) from 2016–2024, where she earned her PhD in Linguistics in January 2023. Her research focuses on German linguistics, syntax, semantics, second- and third-language acquisition, and corpus linguistics with a particular emphasis on contrastive analysis between German, English, and Norwegian. Teaching responsibilities include courses like TYSK1120 (German syntax and language practice) and TYSK4109 (German language acquisition as a foreign language). Her publications emphasize participle constructions in German, syntactic-semantic typology, and cross-linguistic syntax comparisons. Notable works explore implicit control mechanisms, clause structure variations, and dependency relationships in Germanic languages. No scientific awards are explicitly listed. Research contributions span theoretical syntax, language acquisition pedagogy, and corpus-driven linguistic analysis. Her work bridges formal syntax with applied linguistics, contributing to both academic discourse and language teaching methodologies.

• Classical Literature
• Posthumanism
• Ancient Medicine
• +3 more

Dr. Giulia Maria Chesi is a Researcher at the Institute of Classical Philology, Humboldt University of Berlin. She specializes in ancient Greek and Roman literature, with a focus on posthumanist perspectives, body technologies, and medical texts. Her work bridges classical studies with contemporary theoretical frameworks, examining themes like monstrosity, technosomata (body technologies), and gendered agency in antiquity. She collaborates internationally, notably in the 'Technosomata' project with the University of Exeter (2019–2021) and art installations exploring classical themes. She holds academic memberships at the Centro Studi Giorgio Colli (Turin) and contributes to editorial roles in doctoral programs like BerGSAS. Her research interests span classical literature’s intersection with modern critical theory, including posthumanism, animal studies, and feminist critiques of ancient texts. Notable works include Technosomata: Body Technologies in the Greco-Roman World (forthcoming 2023) and Classical Literature and Posthumanism (2020). She also participates in public cultural projects, such as Jasmine Reimer’s art exhibition She Can Cook a Potato... (2021). Recent publications analyze topics like Metrodora’s cosmetic treatises, Homeric technology, and Sophoclean tragedy’s engagement with humanimality. Her interdisciplinary approach connects ancient texts to contemporary debates on identity, ethics, and technology.

• First language acquisition
• Second/third language acquisition
• Bilingual and multilingualism
• +7 more

Marit Westergaard is a Professor of English Linguistics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, affiliated with the Department of Language and Culture. She holds a dual role as Secretary General of The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and leads research at the Center for Language, Brain & Learning (C-LaBL), a Trond Mohn Foundation-funded initiative focusing on multilingualism and language acquisition. Her work spans first, second/third, and bilingual language acquisition, with specializations in syntax, grammatical gender, and heritage languages. Research Interests include: syntax (word order, possessive constructions), language attrition, and diachronic change, particularly in Norwegian dialects. She explores multilingualism through projects like AcqVA (Acquisition, Variation & Attrition) and MiMS (Microvariation in Multilingual Acquisition & Attrition Situations). Her recent work emphasizes cross-linguistic influence (CLI) in L3 acquisition, using experimental methods (eye-tracking, behavioral studies). Key contributions include the 'Linguistic Proximity Model' and 'Micro-cue Model', explaining how multilingual grammars interact. Active in labs like PoLaR (Psycholinguistics of Language Representation) and AcqVA Aurora, she also runs public-facing initiatives like Flere språk til flere. Grant involvement includes the RCN-funded MuMiN (Multilingual Minds) and international collaborations (EEA Norway grants, MSCA projects). Her 2025 publications address CLI in artificial languages, gender loss in Oslo dialects, and trilingual processing in children. Ongoing projects investigate structural similarity effects and heritage language attrition.

Björn LundquistView profile

Associate Professor

• Linguistics
• Syntax
• Language Processing
• +6 more

Björn Lundquist is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Language and Culture at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. His research focuses on syntactic variation, language processing, grammatical gender, dialect variation, and heritage languages. He collaborates with institutions like AcqVA-Aurora and CASTLFish, and leads projects funded by the Norwegian Research Council, including the Nordic Word Order Database. Education: PhD in Theoretical Linguistics (2008, University of Tromsø), Master's in Nordic Languages (2005, Lund University). He has supervised students such as Maud Westendorp and Eirik Tengesdal. Awards include grants from UiT and the NORMS program. Key research interests include experimental approaches to syntactic optionality, prosody-syntax interface, and language attrition in heritage speakers. His work spans peer-reviewed journals like Frontiers in Psychology , Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , and Glossa . He organizes workshops on topics like bidialectism and language variation. Lundquist is involved in projects like Multilectal Literacy in Education and Grammatical Gender in Norwegian Dialects . His lab work includes eye-tracking and ERP studies to explore language comprehension and production.

• Comparative Linguistics
• Syntax
• Pragmatics
• +8 more

Professor Kristine Bentzen holds a position in Nordic Linguistics at UiT The Arctic University of Norway's Department of Language and Culture. Her affiliations include the AcqVA research group (Acquisition, Variation & Attrition) and involvement in projects like DASAGO (North Sami Child Language Acquisition). Her research focuses on comparative linguistics, syntax, pragmatics, and language revitalization, particularly in Sami languages. She has led projects funded by the Research Council of Norway and developed tools like the MacArthur-Bates CDI adapted to North Sami. Her work emphasizes multilingualism, child language acquisition, and the interplay between syntax and information structure. Recent studies investigate Sami language transmission across generations and the role of parental language input. She teaches Nordic linguistics, multilingualism, and Sami languages at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including speech therapy programs. Collaborations include projects on Arctic childhood development (SamBa) and North Germanic child language syntax. Key contributions include publications on object shift in Scandinavian languages, North Sami word order variation, and bilingualism in Sami families. Her involvement in the DASAGO project (2011–2017) established a corpus of North Sami-speaking children and explored grammatical phenomena in Indigenous languages. She is currently pursuing a master's in speech therapy, aiming to bridge linguistics and clinical practice. Professional activities include podcast appearances (e.g., NRK's Språksnakk) and advisory roles in language revitalization initiatives. Her research integrates theoretical syntax with sociolinguistic applications, addressing both academic and community-driven language preservation goals.

Chris CampanioniView profile

Lecturer

• Diaspora and Migration Studies
• Latina/o Literature and Culture
• Global Media Studies
• +7 more

Chris Campanioni is a Lecturer in the Department of English at Pace University's Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, where he teaches courses in critical writing, creative writing, and feature writing. He holds a PhD from The Graduate Center, CUNY (2022), an MA from Fordham University (2013), and a BA from Lehigh University (2007). Research Interests: His work spans diaspora and migration studies, Latina/o literature, global and intermedial media studies, and digital poetics, often exploring hybrid forms that blur the boundaries between poetry, essay, fiction, and theory. His writing critically engages with identity, media, exile, and digital culture. Publication Trends: His recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary focus, combining literary innovation with media theory. Works such as Windows 85 and Drift Net explore the intersections of technology, embodiment, and narrative, often through experimental syntax and form. His writing is characterized by a fusion of the personal, theoretical, and poetic, frequently interrogating the self in relation to media frameworks and cultural norms. Scientific Awards: Calder Prize for Interdisciplinary Research Pushcart Prize International Latino Book Award, Best First Book Academy of American Poets College Prize Advising and Grants: While no formal students are listed, his role as a lecturer and published scholar suggests mentorship in creative writing and interdisciplinary research. He has received competitive fellowships, including a Mellon Foundation fellowship, supporting his interdisciplinary work. Labs and Teams: No formal lab or research team is mentioned, but his collaborative publications and interdisciplinary approach suggest active engagement with scholarly and artistic communities in media studies, migration, and digital poetics.