Zeshan Ulrike

Zeshan Ulrike is a Professor and Director of the International Institute for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UK) since 2006. Previously, they held post-doctoral positions at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (Netherlands, 2003–2006) and the Research Centre for Linguistic Typology (Australia, 1999–2003). They also served as an Academic Consultant for the Indian Sign Language Cell in Mumbai (2001–2006).

Education: MA (1990–1996) and PhD (1996–1999) in linguistics from the University of Cologne, Germany, and a PGCert in Research Student Supervision from UCLan (2007/08).

Research focuses on sign language typology, endangerment of signed languages, multilingualism in sign language users, and applied linguistics. Notable projects include leading a €1.17 million ERC grant on multilingual behaviors in sign language users (2011–ongoing) and an ESF-EUROCORES project on endangered sign languages (2009–2013).

Professional roles include series editor for Sign Language Typology (De Gruyter Mouton), work with UNESCO and the Foundation for Endangered Languages, and directorship of the Intl Deaf Empowerment Foundation. Languages spoken/sign include German, English, Turkish, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, and multiple sign languages.