Kathryn Davidson

Kathryn Davidson is a Professor of Linguistics at Harvard University and currently Director for Undergraduate Studies (2024-2025). She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from UC San Diego (2011) and a dual B.A. in Mathematics and Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania (2005). Her research focuses on semantics, pragmatics, and experimental methods in sign and spoken languages, with particular attention to language acquisition, iconicity, and visual modality. She directs the Meaning & Modality (M&M) Laboratory, blending linguistic theory with psycholinguistic experiments.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Linguistics, UC San Diego (2006-2011)
• M.A. in Linguistics, UC San Diego (2010)
• B.A. Mathematics & Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania (2002-2005)

Research Interests: Davidson investigates how humans derive meanings from language, focusing on semantic/pragmatic interfaces, sign language semantics, and experimental methods. Her work explores how modality (e.g., sign vs. speech) shapes meaning, the role of iconicity in sign languages, and developmental pathways of semantic understanding. Recent outputs include a Cambridge Elements volume on semantics and depiction and a book on formal semantics in sign languages.

Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award ($509,255)
• Everett I. Mendelsohn Excellence in Mentoring Award
• William F. Milton Fund Grant

Advising & Grants: Davidson has advised over 20 graduate students and mentored postdocs. Her grants include funding for projects on sign language semantics and child language development. She also co-organized conferences like the Turkish Languages and Linguistics (Tu+) workshop.

Labs/Teams: Leads the M&M Lab at Harvard, collaborating on projects integrating linguistic theory with experimental methods. The lab studies visual modality effects, sign language syntax-semantics, and experimental pragmatics.