Elise Newman

Elise Newman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at MIT. Her research focuses on syntax, with additional interests in semantics/pragmatics and first language acquisition. She completed her PhD at MIT in 2021 and held a postdoctoral position at the University of Edinburgh, collaborating on projects about syntactic locality effects. Her work bridges formal syntax with experimental approaches, exploring topics like argument structure, syntactic locality, and cross-linguistic variation.

Education: PhD in Linguistics (MIT, 2021); Postdoctoral Research at University of Edinburgh (2021-2022).

Research themes include syntactic derivation processes, feature-driven movement, and the interface between syntax and semantics. Recent publications analyze DP movement, A/A-bar interactions, and the role of features in syntactic pathways. Her work often employs theoretical frameworks from the minimalist program while engaging with empirical data from diverse languages like Wolof and Shanghainese.

Publications showcase contributions to core syntax questions, including subcategorization restrictions, pied-piping phenomena, and adjunct island effects. Though no specific awards are noted, her work demonstrates significant engagement with foundational linguistic theory. Advising and grants details are not explicitly stated in the provided information.

Active in academic networks, she collaborates with institutions globally and participates in MIT's Linguistics Program, contributing to the vibrant theoretical linguistics community there.