Cerstin Mahlow

Cerstin Mahlow is a Professor of Digital Linguistics and Writing Research at the ZHAW School of Applied Linguistics, where she leads initiatives like the CAS Texten: effektiv schreiben und Generative KI effizient nutzen. Her work bridges linguistic theory with computational methods, focusing on writing process analysis, NLP-based authoring tools, and socio-cultural impacts of digital transformation in education.

• PhD in Computational Linguistics (University of Zurich, 2011)
• M.A. in Computational Linguistics, Spanish Linguistics, and Political Science (Erlangen-Nürnberg, 2008)
• Continuing Education in E-Learning (ETH Zurich/University of Zurich, 2003)

Her research explores linguistic modeling of writing processes using digital tools, with a focus on sentence-centric analysis and AI-driven writing support. She investigates how large language models (LLMs) and generative AI reshape academic writing practices, authoring workflows, and literacy requirements.

Recent publications highlight trends in writing analytics, including sentence history modeling (2025), feedback revision strategies (2023), and cognitive writing aids (2022). She co-leads projects like Computational Competencies for Non-Tech Students and Potentials of Advanced Text Technologies, emphasizing machine learning applications.

Prof. Mahlow serves on the steering committees of the ACM Symposium on Document Engineering and coordinates the SIG Writing special interest group under EARLI. She actively contributes to networks like Girls Can Code Switzerland and the Association for Computational Linguistics.