معرفی
Simon Kirby is Professor of Language Evolution at the University of Edinburgh and Director of the Centre for Language Evolution since 2016. He has been a faculty member at the University of Edinburgh since 1996, progressing from Researcher to Lecturer, Reader, and full Professor. He is an elected Fellow of both the British Academy and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
His research pioneers the Iterated Learning framework to investigate language evolution, cultural transmission, and the biological-cognitive foundations of human communication. He integrates rigorous scientific methodologies—including mathematical modeling, computational simulation, and psychological experiments—with artistic practice through interactive installations that explore identity and communication in digital ecosystems. His work bridges cognitive science, linguistics, and contemporary art.
Professor Kirby's scientific recognition includes:
- Elected Fellow of the British Academy (2019)
- Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2012)
- BAFTA Scotland award for Cybraphon (2009)
- List Award for outstanding contribution to Scottish Arts
As co-founder and leader of the Centre for Language Evolution—the world's largest research group in this field—he mentors 13 PhD students and 16 MSc students while directing interdisciplinary collaborations between 12 academic staff and an artist-in-residence. He also serves as permanent co-chair of the EVOLANG international conference series, shaping global discourse on language evolution research.
