Sophie Hutier serves as a Lecturer and teacher-researcher affiliated with the ILF-GERJC research team, contributing to Research Axis 3. Research Interests: Linguistics with emphasis on structural and sociolinguistic analysis French Language studies including acquisition and variation Team Affiliation: ILF-GERJC research group (specializing in French linguistic frameworks)
Geoffrey G. Pinchbeck is a faculty member at Carleton University’s School of Linguistics and Language Studies. He holds PhDs in Education (Languages and Literacy) and Medical Biochemistry from the University of Calgary, along with an M.Ed in TESL. His career spans teaching, research, and service in applied linguistics and language pedagogy. His research focuses on corpus linguistics , second language acquisition , and academic English . He explores the operationalization of academic English , computer-assisted language learning (CALL) , and content and language integrated learning (CLIL) . His work has implications for vocabulary diagnostic tools and text readability metrics. His refereed publications and conference presentations examine lexical and derivational morphology , word list validation , and mathematics education pedagogy . Recent collaborations highlight interdisciplinary approaches to language assessment and curricular design . Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award, Western University (2017) EuroSLA Doctoral Student Travel Grant (2017) AAAL ‘Educational Testing Services Graduate Student Award’ (2016) Pinchbeck has served as Strand Coordinator for Vocabulary and Lexical Studies at AAAL annual meetings (2020–2021) and contributed to graduate student award committees. His work bridges language research and mathematical pedagogy , emphasizing accessibility and student engagement.
Irene Reginato is a Research Fellow affiliated with the Department of Humanities at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Nantes working on the ERC Synergy Grant project "EuQu – The European Qur'ān", examining Islamic scripture in European culture from 1150-1850. Previously, she held positions at École Nationale des Chartes (Paris) and Université libre de Bruxelles. Her research focuses on medieval literature with emphasis on: Occitan and Catalan hagiography (particularly Mary Magdalene traditions) Medieval translations and adaptations (Marco Polo's Devisement du Monde) Textual criticism and manuscript studies Romance philology and historical linguistics Interfaith dialogue in medieval literature Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on medieval textual traditions with recent works examining narrative techniques in Occitan hagiography, Catalan translations of Marco Polo, and Qur'anic references in 15th-century Christian-Muslim debates. She frequently employs comparative analysis of manuscript variations across Romance languages. Dr. Reginato contributes to the international research team for the ERC Synergy Grant project "EuQu" at the University of Nantes, investigating the reception and interpretation of the Qur'an in European intellectual traditions. Her work involves collaborative research across French, Italian, and Belgian academic institutions.
Johannes Willrett is a Researcher at Saarland University, working at the Chair of Romance Philology under Prof. Dr. Elton Prifti since October 2024. He is a doctoral candidate whose research focuses on Italian lexical borrowings in the regional French of French-speaking Switzerland. His academic background includes: Master of Arts in Romance Studies (French major) and Italian Language and Culture (minor) from Saarland University (2022-2024) Bachelor of Arts in FrancoMedia (major) and Political Science (minor) from Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg (2018-2022) Semester abroad at Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland (2020-2021) Willrett's research interests encompass Historical Linguistics, Contact Linguistics, Variety Linguistics, Dialectology, and Regional and Minority Languages. His doctoral project provides a comprehensive analysis of Italianisms in Swiss French, examining chronological, geolinguistic, and system-linguistic aspects to contribute to the understanding of language contact and variation in Romance languages.
Anders Bengtsson is a Professor in French Linguistics at the Department of Romance Studies and Classics , Stockholm University, since 2015. His research bridges Romance linguistics with digital philology , focusing on historical language analysis and technological advancements in philological studies. Education : Bachelors in French and Latin (Lund University, 1986), Ph.D. in French (Lund University, 1996) Positions : Research Fellow at Swedish Research Council (1998-2004), Associate Professor in French (2006) He leads the DigPhil initiative, integrating historical language studies with language technology . Active in international academic networks such as AIEMF , Société de Linguistique Romane , and GEHLF , his work emphasizes medieval and early modern Romance language evolution. As Head of Department (2020-2022) , he supervised Bachelor’s and Master’s theses in language history , teaching foundational courses like Förberedande kurs and advanced seminars on Franska språket genom seklerna . His Romance Linguistics research group explores digital methodologies for analyzing linguistic variation in French and other Romance languages.
Stefan Pfänder is a full Professor of Romance and General Linguistics at the University of Freiburg , specializing in multimodal interaction, Romance languages, and language variation/change. He leads interdisciplinary research groups and projects bridging linguistics, cultural anthropology, and psychiatry. Key Research Areas: multimodal interaction in everyday and clinical settings, language contact (e.g., Spanish-Guaraní/Quechua, French-Arabic/Wolof), and the interplay of voice, body, and social identity. Grants & Projects: DFG-SNF-Weave collaborative project 'Emergent Remembering II' (2024–2027), DFG's Embodiment Research Network (2024–2026), Humboldt Foundation's Feodor Lynen Fellowship (2024–2026), and leadership roles in DFG GRK1624/1+2 'Frequency Effects in Language' and GRK1767/1+2 'Factual & Fictional Narrative'. Teaching: Courses on French/Spanish linguistics, multimodal communication, conversation analysis, and workshops on qualitative methods. Classes often integrate practical data analysis, transcription tools like Praat, and cross-linguistic comparison. Networks: Co-founder of the espanoldelosandes.org research network, spokesperson for DFG's 'Synchronization in Embodied Interaction' and 'CIEL_F' projects. Scientific Awards: Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship Program for Experienced Researchers, Humboldt Foundation (2024–2026)
Hannah Schlimpen is a Researcher at Universität Trier affiliated with the Trier Center for Digital Humanities (TCDH) and the Chair of Romance Literary Studies. Her academic trajectory includes roles as Coordinator for the research network 'Transkulturalität und ihre Grenzen' (2022-2023), lecturer at Università degli studi di Bergamo (2021-2022), and multiple DFG-funded research positions focusing on Russian poetry transitions and early modern divination practices. Her research explores Romance literary studies through interdisciplinary lenses: digital humanities (Linked Open Data applications), early modern literature (Spanish/French), and poetic analysis , with emphasis on: Geomancy and divination in historical texts Bilingual/exile poetry Urban representation in Golden Age literature Lexicography of Caribbean Spanish Publications reflect sustained interest in cultural symbolism, linguistic hybridity, and spatial narratives across 15th-18th century European and Latin American contexts, often employing comparative frameworks. Awards and fellowships recognize her scholarly contributions: Dissertation Prize, Freundeskreis Trierer Universität (2021) Herzog-Ernst Fellowship, Fritz Thyssen Stiftung (2019) Research stipends from Universidad de Salamanca (2017) and Rheinland-Pfalz (2016) She co-leads the DFG network 'An den Rändern der Moderne' (2023-2025) and is active in the Trierer Kolleg für Mittelalter und Neuzeit, enhancing cross-institutional humanities research.
Julie Boissonneault serves as a Sessional Lecturer in the French Studies Department at Laurentian University since 2003, specializing in sociolinguistics and French language didactics within minority contexts. With over 30 years of post-secondary teaching experience, she leads the Observatoire de la langue française en Ontario (OLFO) and serves as editor of the Revue du Nouvel-Ontario. Her institutional affiliations include accreditation with Laurentian's Ph.D. Program in Human Sciences and M.Sc. program in Speech Pathology. Her research focuses on Francophone linguistic security , digital media in academia , and educational transitions in minority communities . Key projects include analyzing oral corpora of Northern Ontario workers, studying French-to-English school transitions (funded by Ontario Ministry of Education), and investigating cultural nuclei in Francophone communities (supported by Canadian Heritage). Her methodology combines sociolinguistic corpus analysis with policy-relevant qualitative research. Publications demonstrate consistent interdisciplinary output since 2004, with recent work emphasizing linguistic security dynamics (2013), digital technology integration in education (2012), and cross-cultural lexical studies (2010). Her edited book series Language and Territory represents significant scholarly contributions to minority language studies. Ontario Ministry of Education research grant (2013-2016) on school transitions Fédération culturelle canadienne-française/Canadian Heritage funding (2013-2016) Laurentian University support for OLFO oral history collections As supervisor for Ph.D. and M.Sc. programs, she offers opportunities in sociolinguistic analysis and educational interventions. Her editorial role at Revue du Nouvel-Ontario provides additional scholarly engagement pathways. The OLFO research group maintains unique oral and literary corpora essential for studying language evolution in minority contexts.
Chantal Mayer-Crittenden serves as Associate Professor in Laurentian University's School of Speech-Language Pathology, where she teaches Speech Sciences, Voice Disorders, and Dysphagia in both undergraduate and graduate speech-language pathology programs. Her clinical expertise spans bilingualism, primary language impairments, and dysphagia, with extensive experience serving francophone populations in Northern Ontario's minority-language context. Her educational background includes: B.A. in Psychology and Linguistics from Laurentian University M.Sc.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Ottawa Ph.D. in Human Studies (Communication and Cognition) from Laurentian University (2013) Dr. Mayer-Crittenden's research bridges cognitive science and clinical practice, focusing on bilingual language development in minority contexts, diagnostic differentiation between language impairment and typical second-language acquisition, and non-linguistic cognitive interventions. She actively develops assessment tools for francophone children in English-dominant environments and investigates cross-linguistic influences on language acquisition. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates perspectives from psychology, education, and audiology to address complex communication disorders. Her publication record shows consistent output from 2013-2016 with thematic evolution from foundational bilingualism studies toward specialized assessment tools and intervention protocols. Early work established theoretical frameworks for interdisciplinary practice, while recent publications focus on practical applications including nonword repetition tasks, navigational-cognitive assessments, and morphosyntactic norm development for minority-language children. Research recognition includes: CNFS funding as primary investigator (2012-2013) CNFS co-researcher roles (2011-2013, 2013-2014) She leads active research projects including a twin study on cognitive-linguistic intervention efficacy and francophone morphosyntactic norm development, supported by CNFS grants. Her collaborative approach involves interdisciplinary teams across healthcare and education sectors, with strong community engagement in Northern Ontario francophone communities. Current supervision focuses on graduate students in speech-language pathology programs, particularly those researching bilingual assessment and intervention. Though no formal lab name is specified, her research group conducts studies on bilingual language development, cognitive assessment tools, and minority-language intervention protocols, with particular emphasis on French-English contexts in Ontario's minority settings.
Yukie NAKAO-HEIMBURGER serves as a Part-Time Lecturer in the Japanese Department of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures at the University of Nantes, with concurrent teaching appointments at Ecole Centrale de Nantes and Polytech Nantes. Her institutional presence spans language instruction, cultural studies, and collaborative academic initiatives across Nantes' educational ecosystem. Her research centers on: Discourse analysis in contemporary societal contexts Sociolinguistic phenomena including Japanese loanwords in French (e.g., 'tsunami') Intercultural dynamics between Japan and France Japanese language pedagogy and curriculum development Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on language-culture interfaces: recent work (2019-2023) emphasizes practical language education through textbooks and digital tools, while earlier research (2010-2017) established her expertise in loanword integration and discourse analysis. Her scholarship demonstrates methodological range from corpus linguistics to cultural anthropology. Dr. Nakao-Heimburger actively contributes to academic infrastructure through course development across multiple institutions, textbook authorship, and the Kana-é application project. Her teaching portfolio spans beginner to expert Japanese levels with specialized content for engineering students at partner institutions, reflecting adaptability to diverse learner needs within Nantes' academic landscape. She maintains scholarly engagement through the Association of Teachers of Japanese in France and collaborative research projects, positioning her at the intersection of language education and cross-cultural research in Western academia.
Marta Donazzan is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Nantes, where she works in the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures (FLCE). She is a researcher at LLING (Linguistic Laboratory of Nantes, UMR 6310), a joint research unit of the University of Nantes and CNRS. Since January 2022, she has served as Deputy Director of LLING, having previously served as interim Director from September to December 2021. Her academic affiliations include: University of Nantes, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures LLING (Linguistic Laboratory of Nantes), UMR 6310 CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) IRL 2034 Worlds in Transition/Mundos em transição, CNRS-Universidade de São Paulo Dr. Donazzan specializes in formal linguistics with a focus on the interface between semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. Her research aims to connect specific language phenomena to general linguistic laws through comparative analysis. She is particularly interested in understanding the ontology of natural language and how languages express definiteness, countability, and reference in both nominal and verbal domains. Her studies employ both qualitative analysis of elicited data and quantitative analysis of language corpora. Her research spans multiple languages including Romance varieties, Mandarin Chinese, and Karitiana, examining language variation at both macro and micro levels. This comparative approach helps shed light on the relationship between functional categories and semantic interpretation across different linguistic systems. Dr. Donazzan has received research funding for several projects including: TAME-INTER: New approaches to the syntax and semantics of TAME across languages (2023-2025), funded by CNRS Nominal and verbal events in Romance causative constructions (2018-2021), funded by DFG Delimiting and identifying events (DelimitEvent) (2014-2018), funded by Fédération Typologie et Universaux du Langage Semantic variation. Event plurality in Chinese and Karitiana (2012), funded by CNPq, Brazil As an educator, Dr. Donazzan teaches general linguistics and English linguistics courses focusing on syntax and semantics. She serves as co-responsible for L2 English LLCeR and represents the English department on the FLCE's commission for transfer and validation of acquired knowledge. She also participates in doctoral thesis grant award juries through the ECLIS Doctoral School Council. Dr. Donazzan is actively involved in the academic community, serving as a member of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Arts and Languages and participating in international collaborations, particularly with the University of São Paulo.
Barbara Innocenti is an Associate Professor of French Literature at the University of Florence, Department of Literature and Philosophy. She holds national scientific qualification as associate professor in competitive sector 10/H (French language, literature and culture) and previously obtained the same qualification in sector 10/H1. Professor Innocenti also holds a French qualification as Maître de Conférences, section 18 (History of French theater) from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Her academic journey includes serving as a fixed-term researcher in French Literature at the University of Florence (2018-2023) and as a contract professor of French Language and Translation and French Literature at the University of Siena's Arezzo campus (2008-2018). She earned her PhD in History of Entertainment from DAMS at the University of Florence (2013) and a PhD in Languages and Cultures of the Mediterranean (2009), preceded by a Master's in Theory and Practice of Literary Translation (2005). Professor Innocenti's research focuses on 18th century French theater, particularly the revolutionary period, with additional interests in connections between French, Italian and English literature from the 17th-19th centuries, theater's relationship with science and medicine, and the history of translation. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent output across multiple venues, exploring topics ranging from monodrama in post-revolutionary Paris to the intersection of vaccination history and theatrical representation during the Enlightenment. She maintains an active scholarly profile with publications spanning from 2008 to 2025, including numerous book chapters, journal articles, and edited volumes. Her work appears in prestigious journals such as BMC Medical Education, Rivista di Letterature Moderne e Comparate, and Antologia Vieusseux, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach that bridges theater studies, medical humanities, and cultural history.
Johanna Isosävi is an Associate Professor of French at the University of Helsinki, Department of Languages, within the Faculty of Arts. She holds the Title of Docent of French Language from the University of Helsinki (awarded January 7, 2020) and earned her PhD in French Language and Culture in 2010. Her research and teaching focus on linguistic pragmatics, with particular emphasis on cross-cultural communication between Finnish and French speakers. Dr. Isosävi completed 60 credits of Teachers' pedagogical studies oriented towards adult education and 40 credits of Advanced studies in education (especially in subject didactics of foreign languages) at the University of Helsinki. She has served as a University Lecturer at both the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku, teaching approximately 30 different university-level courses. Her primary research interests center on politeness phenomena, address forms, and inclusive language use, often employing contrastive (French/Finnish) methodologies. Current projects include an international study (2022-2025) on interruptions in Finnish, French and German parliamentary debates (in collaboration with ENS Lyon and Cambridge, UK), and previous work funded by the Kone Foundation examining Finnish and French politeness (2017-2019). She has also developed significant expertise in academic writing, particularly social writing practices, co-authoring three guide books with Camilla Lindholm. Dr. Isosävi's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on cross-cultural pragmatics, with particular attention to parliamentary discourse, multimodal communication, and gender-inclusive language practices. Her work bridges theoretical linguistic frameworks with practical applications in educational and professional settings, showing increasing interest in digital communication platforms and pandemic-era language use. Among her notable recognitions is the YVV-palkinto awarded December 13, 2024. She has successfully directed numerous research projects, including those funded by the Ella & Georg Enrnrooth Foundation and the Kone Foundation. As an active mentor, Dr. Isosävi directs PhD and MA theses. She is also a dedicated science communicator, maintaining a Finnish-language blog, hosting her own podcast "Ranskaa raakana!" (Raw French), and co-hosting the "Väitöksen jälkeen" (After the PhD) podcast with Camilla Lindholm. Her outreach extends to regular media interviews about her research and active social media engagement. Dr. Isosävi participates in various research networks, including the International Pragmatics Association where she and Sanna-Kaisa Tanskanen will co-organize the 2027 International Pragmatics Conference in Helsinki. Her collaborative work spans multiple international institutions, reflecting her commitment to cross-cultural linguistic research.
Ann-Sofie Persson is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Communication, Literature and Swedish (KLS) within the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS). She is an active member of the Research Environment for Language and Culture, focusing on the interplay between language and culture in various contexts. Her educational background includes a Magisterexamen in Literary Studies from Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris (1995) and a PhD in French with a literary focus from Ohio State University (2001). She earned her Docent (Associate Professor) qualification in Language and Culture in 2015. Dr. Persson's research centers on the ideological dimensions of fiction from postcolonial, ecocritical, and gender perspectives. She has extensively studied autobiographical writing, particularly by female authors from the French-speaking Caribbean and North Africa, including Nina Bouraoui, Fabienne Kanor, Leïla Sebbar, Yanick Lahen, Maryse Condé, and Gisèle Pineau. Her work also explores horse books through ecocritical and posthumanist lenses, examining how horses are portrayed with human characteristics or as fundamentally different from humans. She has co-founded research projects on human-animal relations in children's cultures and has conducted interview studies with high school students about fan fiction practices. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on mothering variations in horse book series, fan fiction in literature education, and auto-fictional practices in Caribbean literature. The research shows consistent engagement with narrative voice, identity construction, and the intersection of human-animal relationships in literary contexts. As an educator, she has developed and taught numerous courses including Autobiographical Texts, Literature and Gender, Postcolonial Literature, Gender in Literature and Film, Ecocritical Perspectives on Contemporary Novels, and the newly launched 'Fandom and Fan Cultures.' She also teaches in the Bachelor's program in Global Studies of Culture and Society, offering 'World Literature and Global Narrative.' Dr. Persson is actively involved in the Literature Didactics Network (LDN) steering group and has co-organized conferences on human-animal relations in children's cultures, funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond. She collaborates extensively with Helen Asklund (MiUn) and Lena Manderstedt (LTU) on multiple research projects related to horse literature and human-animal relationships.
Professor Simon Hackett serves as Professor (Director of Research) in the Department of Sociology at Durham University's Faculty of Social Sciences and Health. His extensive career spans academic leadership roles including Deputy Provost (2018-2021), Principal of St Mary's College (2011-2018), and Head of the School of Applied Social Sciences (2008-2011). He chairs Durham University's Safeguarding Operations Group and maintains active affiliations with global organizations including ATSA and NOTA. University of Hull: First degree in Modern Languages (French and German) University of Manchester: MA (Econ) in Social Policy and Social Work, Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) University of Durham: PhD in Social Sciences, Durham Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (DCTHE) Professor Hackett's research centers on child maltreatment, harmful sexual behaviors in youth, and professional safeguarding responses. His work integrates clinical practice with academic rigor, examining adoption systems, institutional child protection failures, and therapeutic interventions. He employs innovative methodologies including child-sensitive research frameworks and longitudinal studies tracking developmental pathways of at-risk youth. His international collaborations span Russia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia, addressing cultural variations in child welfare systems. His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on harmful sexual behaviors (35+ articles since 2003), with recent work analyzing victim-survivor experiences (2025), participatory research dilemmas (2025), and life-course outcomes (2024). Key thematic evolution shows increasing attention to systemic factors, cultural contexts, and longitudinal impacts beyond individual pathology. Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences Durham University Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Award NSPCC national operational framework authorship NICE Public Health Advisory Committee membership Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse expert reviewer Professor Hackett supervises diverse PhD projects with over 20 completions, focusing on international child welfare comparisons and therapeutic innovations. His grant portfolio includes Home Office-funded evaluations of Child Advocacy Centers, ESRC-supported RCTs on sexual abuse interventions, and Council of Europe commissions. He leads the Durham Child Advocacy Centre approach implementation and chairs multi-agency safeguarding initiatives. He directs research teams including the Durham Safeguarding Operations Group and collaborates with Barnardo's National Centre of Expertise in Child Sexual Abuse. Current projects involve social media methodologies for hard-to-reach populations and cross-national analyses of harmful sexual behavior frameworks.