Susan Foster-Cohen

Dr. Susan Foster-Cohen serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury, where she has maintained an appointment since November 6, 2000. Her academic career spans multiple international institutions, including previous positions as Senior Lecturer at the British Institute in Paris, Associate Professor at Northern Arizona University, and research roles at the University of Southern California.

Her educational background includes a PhD from Lancaster University (1976-1980), a PGCE from St. Martin's Training College (1975-1976), and a BA from Lancaster University (1972-1975). She is proficient in French, enabling her international scholarly work. Her research focuses on child language acquisition across diverse populations, examining both theoretical and applied aspects of language development in typically developing and disordered contexts.

Dr. Foster-Cohen's scholarly work demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational research in language acquisition to specialized investigations of developmental trajectories in children with complex disabilities. Her recent publications (2020-2025) increasingly explore the intersection of musical play and language development, while her earlier work (2017-2020) established significant contributions to understanding morpho-lexical development in children with Down syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Her research consistently examines how different communication modalities support language acquisition in children with developmental challenges.

Her publications in journals like Frontiers in Psychology and the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders have garnered notable citations, reflecting her impact in the field of language development research. Her collaborative work with researchers including T. Macrae, J. Newbury, and A. van Bysterveldt demonstrates sustained research partnerships focused on language development in children with disabilities.

Dr. Foster-Cohen has supervised graduate students, including Beth Rees, whose research examined hearing monitoring in children with Down syndrome. Her practical experience as Director of The Champion Centre (2004-2020) complements her academic work, bridging theoretical research with real-world application in supporting children with developmental challenges.