Christian Uffmann

Dr Christian Uffmann is a post-doctoral researcher in English Language and Linguistics at the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf (Faculty of Philosophy). Previously he served as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sussex (2008-2013) and held research and teaching posts at CASTL/Tromsø, the University of Trento, and the University of Marburg.

Education

• University of Marburg – M.A. English Linguistics, Sociology and Media Studies (1998)
• University of Marburg – Dr. phil., dissertation on Vowel Epenthesis in Loanword Phonology (2004)

Research Interests

Christian Uffmann’s work straddles theoretical phonology and language contact. His core interests include:

• English phonology and phonological theory
• Loanword adaptation and vowel epenthesis
• Creole languages and their phonological systems
• Language change and sociolinguistic variation
• Distinctive feature theory and segmental representation

Methodologically, he employs Optimality-Theoretic and constraint-based approaches to illuminate how universal pressures interact with language-specific grammars, particularly in contexts of contact, change, and second-language acquisition.

Scientific Awards & Distinctions

• Sussex Teaching Award 2012
• DAAD doctoral scholarship 1998/9, Ohio State University
• Assistant Secretary, Linguistic Association of Great Britain (LAGB) – since 2012
• External examiner, University of Edinburgh (2011-2013) & Universitetet i Tromsø (since 2009)
• Advisory board member, Manchester Phonology Meeting (MfM) – since 2007

Advising & Grants

While at Sussex he taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English and General Linguistics. Active peer reviewer for numerous journals and funding agencies, he continues to contribute to the training of the next generation of linguists through supervision and examination at institutions across Europe.

Labs & Teams

His research is conducted within the English Language and Linguistics team at HHU Düsseldorf and benefits from ongoing collaboration with the international phonological community, including CASTL networks and the LAGB.