Research
The Linguistics Department at UMass is a center for cutting edge research in semantics, phonology, syntax, computational linguistics, psycholinguistics, phonetics, acquisition and prosody. Research at the interfaces of these areas i.e. syntax-semantics, phonology-syntax, or phonology-morphology, is also a hallmark of the UMass research profile.
Grant Funded Research
The UMass Linguistics Department has had a particularly strong record in externally funded research. In most years between two and five graduate students work as research assistants to the faculty on externally funded grants, instead of as teaching assistants. See a list of current grants.
Centers and Institutes
The Center for the Study of African American Language, directed by Lisa Green
The UMass Initiative for Cognitive Science, co-directed by Joe Pater
Language Acquisition Research and Resource Center, directed by Tom Roeper
Linguistics Laboratories and Experimental Research
- Language Acquisition Lab
- Optimality Lab
- Phonetics Lab
- Phonological Acquisition Laboratories
- Prosody Lab
- Psycholinguistics Processing Lab
Reading Groups
In the close-knit spirit of our department, graduate students and faculty meet regularly in groups to discuss ongoing research in specific areas. These casual meetings sometimes take place in student or faculty homes, and can lead to discussions that last late into the evening.
Departmental Support for Student Research
Graduate students are encouraged to embark early on their own research projects, are given considerable mentorial support, and are encouraged to deliver papers or posters at conferences, with financial support for at least one conference trip a year per student.