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Gareth RobertsView profile

Associate Professor

• Language Evolution
• Language Change
• Language Variation
• +7 more

Gareth Roberts is an Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania, where he serves as Graduate Chair. He is also a faculty member of the Psychology Graduate Group, founder and director of the Cultural Evolution of Language Lab, and co-director of the Social and Cultural Evolution Working Group at Penn. Roberts earned his PhD in Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh in 2010, following an MSc in Evolution of Language and Cognition (2006) and a BA in German and Russian (2003) from the University of Nottingham. His academic journey includes postdoctoral positions at Yeshiva University and the University of Stirling before joining Penn as an Assistant Professor in 2014, where he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022. His research focuses on the role of social and communicative pressures in shaping language emergence and evolution. Roberts investigates fundamental questions about linguistic variant spread, phonological system structuring, and how communication shapes linguistic structure. His work bridges linguistics, cognitive science, and cultural evolution through innovative experimental approaches using artificial languages and laboratory simulations. Analysis of Roberts' recent publications reveals a consistent focus on experimental semiotics, with particular attention to social biases in language evolution, phonological organization, indexicality emergence, and the dynamics of linguistic variation. His work often combines computational modeling with human experiments to isolate specific mechanisms driving language change. Linguistic Society of America Cognitive Science Society Philological Society Cultural Evolution Society Roberts has successfully secured substantial research funding including an NSF PAC Grant ($102,648), Penn URF Research Grants ($12,155), MindCORE initiative grant ($600,000), and multiple smaller grants totaling over $20,000. His lab currently includes researchers investigating diverse topics from case and gender marking emergence to AI agent effects on group dynamics, linguistic and genetic data in British history, and phonological space organization. The Cultural Evolution of Language Lab, which Roberts founded and directs, conducts cutting-edge research using experimental semiotics methodologies. Current projects examine how social factors influence language change, the emergence of linguistic structure through communication, and the interaction between iconicity and combinatoriality in communication systems.

Hannah ZdanskyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Old and Middle English Literature
• Medieval Manuscript Studies
• Historical Linguistics
• +7 more

Dr. Hannah Zdansky is an Assistant Professor of English at Belmont Abbey College, specializing in medieval languages, literatures, and manuscript studies. Her research focuses on cross-cultural connections in medieval Britain and Ireland, particularly exploring multilingualism, religion in literature, and medieval reading practices. She holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.A. from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Her expertise spans Old and Middle English, French, Irish, Welsh, and Latin, with a methodological focus on digital humanities and the history of the book. Dr. Zdansky’s work examines how medieval literary and material cultures were shaped by multicultural interactions, including studies on medieval manuscripts, the role of women in literary production, and the intersection of religion with secular narratives. Her recent scholarly engagements include presentations on topics like the transnational dimensions of medieval texts, the interplay between sacred and secular themes in works such as Gui o Bharbhuic , and comparative analyses of Welsh and English manuscript traditions. Her publications span peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedia entries, and book reviews, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary medieval studies. Dr. Zdansky teaches a wide range of courses, from Old English Language and Literature to Irish History, emphasizing close textual analysis and historical context. She has advised numerous students through independent studies and thesis work, fostering academic rigor and intellectual curiosity in her classroom.

Mykel Loren BrinkerhoffView profile

Researcher

• Phonology
• Phonetics
• Linguistic Fieldwork
• +3 more

Mykel Loren Brinkerhoff is a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Acting Phonetics Lab Director in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Washington. His research focuses on phonology, phonetics, and linguistic fieldwork, particularly on Mesoamerican languages like Santiago Laxopa Zapotec. He investigates syntactic and prosodic phenomena in Celtic and Germanic languages and collaborates on projects such as the Zapotec Language Project. Brinkerhoff has taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, leading courses in phonetics, phonology, and syntax. He mentors students in fieldwork and linguistic analysis, with notable projects on Zapotec voice quality and Scandinavian syntax. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with empirical research, contributing to our understanding of phonological interfaces and language structure. His publications explore topics like voice quality in Zapotec, Norwegian object shift, and Welsh morphophonology. He actively contributes to academic discourse through presentations at conferences like LabPhon and SSILA. Brinkerhoff’s research also emphasizes documenting endangered languages and advancing methodologies in acoustic phonetics.

• Manufacturing Systems Management
• Additive Manufacturing
• 3D Printing
• +8 more

Professor Daniel Eyers is a Professor of Manufacturing Systems Management at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University , where he also serves as Director of Quality Assurance & Enhancement. He is co-director of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (CAMSAC) and Cardiff University RemakerSpace , highlighting his leadership in sustainable and advanced manufacturing innovation. Professor of Manufacturing Systems Management, Cardiff University (2024–present) Co-Director, Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (CAMSAC) (2024–present) Co-Director, Cardiff University RemakerSpace (2020–present) External Advisor, Open University (2022–present) His research focuses on the strategic management of advanced manufacturing technologies , particularly Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) , within operations and supply chain contexts. He explores how digital technologies enhance supply chain flexibility, sustainability, and performance. His work spans flexible manufacturing systems, servitization, and change management in industrial settings. His recent publications (2020–2025) reveal a strong trajectory in AI-human collaboration in decision-making , sustainable manufacturing , urban logistics , and the integration of 3D printing in circular economies. Themes include risk management, digital transformation, and the strategic impact of emerging technologies on operations. He frequently publishes in top-tier journals such as International Journal of Operations and Production Management , Production Planning and Control , and Omega . CEng, Engineering Council (UK) FHEA, Higher Education Academy ESRC Early Career Impact Acceleration Fellowship Daniel Eyers actively supervises PhD, MSc, and MBA students and has attracted over £2.5 million in research funding from research councils, the Welsh Government, and industry. He contributes to academic program design and quality assurance, serving on university committees and as an external examiner for other institutions. He is deeply engaged in applied research with industrial partners, reflecting his background in commercial manufacturing. His leadership in research centers and commitment to sustainability, digital innovation, and education underscore his role as a key figure in modern operations management scholarship.

Vicky ChondrogianniView profile

Professor

• Bilingualism
• Language Development
• Psycholinguistics
• +3 more

Professor Vicky Chondrogianni holds the Personal Chair of Bilingualism and Language Development at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. She is affiliated faculty at CUNY Graduate Center's Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. Her research focuses on first/second language acquisition, child bilingualism, psycholinguistics, and developmental language disorders. She has held positions at Bangor University, Aalborg University, and the University of Reading before joining Edinburgh. Education: BA in Linguistics and Classics (University of Athens), MPhil in English and Applied Linguistics (University of Cambridge), PhD in Second Language Acquisition (University of Cambridge). Research interests include cross-linguistic aspects of acquisition in typically-developing and impaired children, production/comprehension relationships, and cognitive-language interactions. She currently supervises PhD students in topics like morphosyntax in bilingual children and employs eye-tracking methods. Grants/Projects: Includes studies on Gaelic-medium education, heritage children's eye-tracking data, and language disorders in multilingual settings. She has led over 20 projects since 2002, including work on Welsh-English bilingualism and L2 Greek acquisition. Labs/Teams: Active in Bilingualism Matters, a research center promoting bilingualism awareness. Serves as Editor for Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism and holds roles in international associations like IASCL.

Sarah HillView profile

Associate Professor

• Historiography of Popular Music
• Welsh-Language Music
• Counterculture Studies
• +1 more

Sarah Hill is Associate Professor of Music at the University of Oxford and Fellow of St Peter's College, specializing in the historiography of popular music. Her research examines the intersection of musical cultures with political activism, particularly focusing on Welsh-language music preservation, countercultural movements, and music's role in identity formation. Dr. Hill's monograph 'San Francisco and the Long 60s' (Bloomsbury, 2016) offers a microhistory of the Haight-Ashbury music scene and its contemporary legacy. Current projects include co-editing 'The Oxford Handbook of Progressive Rock' and investigating women rock critics' contributions to second-wave feminism. As Coordinating Editor of Popular Music journal since 2012, she maintains active engagement with international music research communities. Dr. Hill was elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2023.

Jane GatleyView profile

Lecturer

• Philosophy of Education
• Curriculum Studies
• Social Justice in Education
• +3 more

Dr. Jane Gatley is a Lecturer in Education at Swansea University’s School of Social Sciences, specializing in Philosophy of Education. She holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham and previously served as an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow there. With seven years of secondary school teaching experience, her research focuses on curriculum design, the role of philosophy in education, and social justice in pedagogy. She leads an interdisciplinary project funded by the Society for Educational Studies, exploring philosophy as a research method in educational studies. Gatley is also the chief examiner for the International Baccalaureate’s philosophy diploma course and chairs the South Wales branch of the Philosophy for Education Society. Education: PhD in Philosophy of Education (University of Birmingham), Secondary School Teaching Qualification. Research Interests: Aims of education, curriculum theory, educational value of knowledge, conceptual engineering in education, philosophy in schools, and social epistemology. Recent Projects: £7,446 grant for 'Engineering Educational Concepts - Philosophical Analysis for Educational Problems' (2022). Current focus includes the educational value of knowledge and AI’s impact on democratic curricula. Collaborations involve philosophers and education specialists. Teaching: Modules include 'Creative and Critical Thinking in Schools' and 'Curriculum Theory and Debates', emphasizing Welsh curriculum frameworks and cross-curricular competencies.

Paul RaysonView profile

Professor

• Natural Language Processing
• Corpus Linguistics
• Semantic Multilingual NLP
• +7 more

Professor Paul Rayson is a Professor of Natural Language Processing in the School of Computing & Communications at Lancaster University, UK. He serves as Director of the UCREL (University Centre for Computer Corpus Research on Language) interdisciplinary research centre and is affiliated with multiple research institutes including Security Lancaster, the Lancaster Centre for Digital Humanities, and the Data Science Institute. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Lancaster University (2003) BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Mathematics, Lancaster University (1990) Professor Rayson's research focuses on semantic multilingual Natural Language Processing (NLP) in challenging linguistic environments with noisy language data, including historical texts, learner language, speech, email, and other computer-mediated communication. His work spans applications in dementia detection, mental health analysis, online child protection, cyber security, learner dictionaries, and text mining of biomedical literature, historical corpora, and financial narratives. He has developed semantic tagging tools like USAS (UCREL Semantic Analysis System) and Wmatrix for corpus analysis. Major Awards and Honors: FHEA (Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) MBCS (Member of the British Computer Society) Professor Rayson has supervised numerous PhD students in NLP and corpus linguistics, with eight current students and seven completed doctorates. He has led or co-investigated multiple major research projects including the £3.5m ESRC-funded Centre for Corpus Approaches to Social Science (CASS), the National Corpus of Contemporary Welsh, and projects related to mental health forums, financial narrative analysis, and cyber security. His research has been supported by ESRC, EPSRC, and other funding bodies. As Director of UCREL, he oversees research in corpus linguistics and NLP. He is also active in the Cyber Security Research Centre, Digital Health Group, and multiple Data Science Institute initiatives. His lab has developed several widely-used NLP tools including CLAWS for English POS tagging, USAS semantic analysis system, Wmatrix corpus analysis tool, and the Variant Detector (VARD) for historical texts.

Simon RodwayView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Middle Welsh
• Medieval Welsh Manuscripts
• Old and Middle Irish
• +7 more

Simon Rodway is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. He holds a PhD in Middle Welsh from Aberystwyth University and previously worked at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He is an active researcher, Principal Investigator on multiple externally funded projects, and editor of the Journal of Celtic Linguistics. Research interests: His work focuses on Middle Welsh, medieval Welsh manuscripts, Old and Middle Irish, Celtic philology, personal names, and Celtic mythology. His research explores linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of early medieval Celtic societies, particularly in Wales and Ireland. The trend in his recent articles reflects a deep engagement with philological analysis, manuscript studies, and the literary traditions of medieval Wales and Ireland. He frequently publishes on topics such as Ogham inscriptions, Welsh poetic genres, personal nomenclature, and the intellectual history of Celtic scholarship. His work bridges linguistics, history, and literature, often contributing to broader discussions on Celtic identity and cultural continuity. Scientific awards: While no formal awards are listed in the provided text, his sustained research output, editorial leadership, and successful acquisition of competitive grants (e.g., from the Leverhulme Trust and Horizon Europe) indicate high recognition within the field. Advising and grants: Rodway supervises postgraduate students, including PhD and MPhil candidates in Welsh and Celtic Studies. He has led several externally funded research projects, including 'MAIRWEN - Mapping Argument Structure in Early Irish and Welsh' (Horizon Discovery), 'A transcript of the Welsh Law manuscript that escaped the 1858 Wynnstay fire' (British Academy), and current projects 'Celtic Britain and Ireland' (Leverhulme Trust) and 'ARWEN: Amatory and Romantic Language in Welsh Panegyric Poetry' (Horizon Europe), demonstrating strong grant-writing success and research leadership. Labs, teams, and collaborations: He collaborates with scholars such as G. R. Isaac on digitizing and analyzing medieval Welsh manuscripts, resulting in multiple datasets. He also works with researchers like Krista Kapphahn on funded projects. His editorial roles with Brepols, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, and the Modern Humanities Research Association reflect active participation in academic networks and publishing communities.

Jacqueline M. BurekView profile

Associate Professor

• Medieval Literature
• Medieval Historiography
• Translation Studies
• +3 more

Jacqueline M. Burek is an Associate Professor of Medieval Literature at George Mason University's Department of English. She holds affiliations with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, serving as Director of the Medieval Studies Minor and Coordinator of the English Honors Program. Her work bridges medieval historiography, classical reception, and multilingual literary traditions, with a focus on medieval understandings of historical truth and memory. Dr. Burek earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Pennsylvania (2017) and a B.A. in Medieval Studies and Latin from Cornell University (2010, summa cum laude). Her research has been supported by prestigious fellowships including the Fulbright Award (2014-15), Penn's Wolf Humanities Center, and GMU's Center for Humanities Research. Her research interests include the intersection of literary form and historical representation in medieval texts, particularly Latin and vernacular historiography from Bede to the Prose Brut. She also explores classical epic's influence on medieval literature and the reception of Chaucer in early modern Welsh translation. Current projects investigate memory/truth dynamics in medieval historical writing and Geoffrey of Monmouth's use of Lucan. Dr. Burek's publications include the monograph *Literary Variety and the Writing of History in Britain's Long Twelfth Century* (2023), essays in *Review of English Studies* and *Journal of Medieval Latin*, and upcoming work on medieval forgeries and Welsh translations. She teaches courses on medieval literature, epic traditions, and the history of memory.

Adam AlbrightView profile

Professor

• Phonology
• Morphology
• Language Acquisition
• +4 more

Adam Albright is a Professor of Linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses on phonology, morphology, language acquisition, and computational linguistics. Education Ph.D. in Linguistics, UCLA, 2002. Dissertation: "The identification of bases in morphological paradigms" M.A. in Linguistics, UCLA, 1998. Thesis: "Phonological subregularities in productive and unproductive inflectional classes: Evidence from Italian" B.A. in Linguistics and Religious Studies, Cornell University, 1996. Senior Thesis: "The history of stress in Welsh, and the analysis of historical change in OT" Research Interests Albright's main research projects include: Experimental testing and computational modeling of gradient phonotactic well-formedness Investigating the organization of paradigms (base selection and learning) Testing the psychological reality of morphological processes via Wug tests Understanding paradigm gaps Computational modeling of historical change Collaboration with Bruce Hayes on learning algorithms He also has interests in Yiddish and Lakhota phonology and morphology, and the history of stress in Welsh. Teaching He has taught courses at MIT and UC Santa Cruz, including: Advanced Phonology Language Acquisition Sound Change and Phonological Theory Modeling Phonological Learning Language Change Computational Morphology & Phonology Collaborations Albright collaborates with Bruce Hayes (UCLA) on computational modeling of phonological and morphological learning. Contact Email: albright@mit.edu Office: 32-D830, MIT Mailing Address: MIT Linguistics and Philosophy, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 32-D808, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

Eirini SanoudakiView profile

Professor

• Bilingualism
• Developmental Disorders
• Child Language Acquisition
• +3 more

Dr. Eirini Sanoudaki is a Professor in Linguistics (Bilingualism) at Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language. She specializes in language development in monolingual and bilingual children, particularly those with developmental conditions such as Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, and neurodiverse populations. Her research focuses on bilingualism's impact on cognitive and linguistic skills in atypical development. She leads the Child Bilingualism Lab and has secured UKRI funding for projects like 'Language Development in Welsh-English bilingual children with Down syndrome and autism.' She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Director of Postgraduate Research and Welsh Language Matters in her school. Education: BA in Philology (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), PhD in Linguistics (University College London), MA in Linguistics (University of Reading). Research Interests: Bilingualism, neurodiversity, child language acquisition, developmental disorders, and the intersection of language and cognitive skills. She collaborates with organizations like the Down's Syndrome Association and explores innovative methods like creative techniques in language learning. Her work has been recognized with the 2021 National Work Welsh Award for promoting Welsh in the workplace. Grants & Projects: Includes ESRC Wales DTP grants, Impact Acceleration Awards, and Welsh Crucible grants. She supervises numerous PhD students studying bilingualism in neurodiverse populations. Recent publications address bilingualism in Rett syndrome, executive function in bilingual children, and Welsh-English language profiles in Down syndrome. Labs/Teams: Heads the Bangor University Child Bilingualism Lab, which investigates bilingualism's role in neurodiverse contexts. Engages in outreach through public lectures and workshops for families and educators.

• Political Geography
• Human Geography
• Welsh Nationalism
• +10 more

Rhys Jones is a Professor of Human Geography and former Head of Department in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University. He is a leading scholar in political geography, with a focus on Welsh nationalism, state territoriality, devolution, and behavioral insights in public policy. He is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW) and the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), and serves on the Board of Natural Resources Wales, demonstrating significant academic and public impact. His research interests center on the interplay between identity, place, and governance. Key themes include the spatial dimensions of Welsh nationalism, the peopled character of the state, devolution in the UK, and the ethical and practical applications of behavioral science in policymaking. His work often engages with issues of spatial justice, territorial cohesion, and regional movements within the European Union. The recent publications and projects reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research. His work spans books, peer-reviewed articles, commissioned reports, and digital media outputs, with a focus on heritage tourism, linguistic vitality, and cross-border dynamics between Wales and Ireland. He frequently collaborates with researchers across institutions and nations, particularly through EU-funded programs like Horizon 2020 and INTERREG. His scientific recognitions include: Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW) Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) Gwobr Adnodd Cyfrwng Cymraeg (Welsh Language Resource Award, 2020) Rhys Jones has secured substantial research funding from the ESRC, AHRC, Leverhulme Trust, Horizon 2020, INTERREG, and the Welsh Government. He leads or contributes to multiple active projects, including those on territorial cohesion in the EU, regional movements, and heritage tourism. He also plays a key role in knowledge exchange, public engagement, and media outreach, particularly on issues related to Welsh identity, language, and governance. He is actively involved in organizing exhibitions, film launches, and public talks, often in collaboration with cultural and academic partners in Wales and Ireland. He is involved in several research networks and teams, including the WISERD Civil Society project and the Centre for Welsh Politics and Society. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to reduced inequalities, sustainable cities, and strong institutions.

Sue NiebrzydowskiView profile

Professor

• Medieval Literature
• Women's Writing
• Devotional Practices
• +3 more

Professor Sue Niebrzydowski holds a professorship in Medieval Literature at Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language. She serves as Dean of Postgraduate Research and previously directed the Graduate School for the College of Arts and Humanities. Her scholarly work focuses on medieval women's writing, devotional practices, and the intersections of gender, material culture, and life course studies. PhD supervision in medieval women's literature Director of Stephen Colclough Centre for History and Culture of the Book Editorial leadership in Yearbook of English Studies Research themes include: Medieval women's engagement with literature Materiality of devotional texts Ageing and female representation Marian devotion in lay contexts Recent publications examine: Chaucerian manuscript traditions Medieval book of hours practices Global medieval women's writing Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales Fellow of the English Association Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

• Corpus Linguistics
• Educational Technology
• Natural Language Processing
• +5 more

Laurence Anthony is a Professor at Waseda University's School of Creative Science and Engineering, specifically affiliated with the Center for English Language Education in Science and Engineering (CELESE). He has held this position since 2009, having previously served as an Associate Professor at the same institution from 2004-2009. His academic journey began with a BSc from The University of Manchester (1991), followed by an MA (1997) and PhD (2002) from The University of Birmingham. Anthony's research centers on corpus linguistics, educational technology, and natural language processing applications in foreign language teaching. He is renowned for developing AntConc, a widely used freeware corpus analysis toolkit, along with numerous other educational software tools including AntWordProfiler, FireAnt, and ProtAnt. His work bridges linguistic theory with practical classroom applications, particularly in data-driven learning approaches for English as a Foreign Language contexts. His publication record is extensive with over 50 papers, 12,115 Google Scholar citations, and an h-index of 45. His recent work increasingly explores the intersection of corpus linguistics and artificial intelligence, examining how language models can enhance language teaching and analysis. Anthony's research has evolved from foundational corpus tool development to sophisticated applications in vocabulary profiling, writing analysis, and AI-assisted language learning. Among his notable recognitions are the Waseda University 6th e-Teaching Award (2018), the National Prize of the Japan Association of English Corpus Studies (2012), and the L'Oreal Art and Science of Color Gold Prize (2005). He serves on multiple editorial boards including for Studies in Corpus Linguistics, Journal of Asia TEFL, and Corpus Linguistics Research Journal. Anthony actively contributes to the academic community through numerous presentations at international conferences, recent ones including talks on AI integration with corpus methods at Corpus Linguistics 2025 and the LSP-Num Conference. His professional activities demonstrate ongoing engagement with both theoretical developments and practical applications in language education technology.