Erik Schleef

Dr. Erik Schleef is a Professor of English Linguistics at the Department of English and American Studies, University of Salzburg. He has held academic positions at the University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, and University of Iowa, and earned his PhD in Linguistics from the University of Michigan (2005). His work bridges theoretical and applied sociolinguistics with emphasis on language variation, perception, and social meaning.

• Current Role: Professor at University of Salzburg (since 2016)
• Education: PhD in Linguistics from University of Michigan
• Key Collaborations: Co-organizer of DiPVaC and HiSoN conferences (2026)

Research Interests: Focus on (1) Language variation in the UK and its acquisition, (2) Language attitudes/perception, (3) Language & gender/sexuality, (4) Cross-cultural communication, and (5) Language standardization. Recent projects examine language monitoring, pragmatic markers, and multilingual service encounters through experimental and sociolinguistic frameworks.

• FWF-funded sociolinguistic monitor study
• AHRC-funded discourse markers research
• ESRC-supported projects on immigrant language acquisition

Publications: Authored/edited works on sociolinguistic methods, discourse markers, and World Englishes. His 2025 book Double Standards: Codified Norms and Norms of Usage in European Languages (1600-2020) explores historical language norms.

Awards: Recognized with the University of Salzburg Excellence in Teaching Award (2018).

Teaching: Offers courses on Varieties of English, Sociolinguistics, and Pragmatic Markers. His methods emphasize student involvement through multimedia resources and practical research skills training.