Research & Funding 

Currently I have 3 main, but related, research interests: 

Using speech to acquire language: This is my primary focus in which I examine the properties of speech at that are useful to infants when learning their native language.

Infant-directed speech across dialects of English: Do parents speak to their children differently across dialects?

Sound symbolism in early development: We have been investigating whether sound symbolism can be used (or is used) as a tool in language development.

under construction 

Projects: 

Grant Funding

External Funding:

(in preparation) ESRC Grant proposal with Dr. S. Kita (PI) and Dr. M. McGillion (Co-I) 

The broad role of prosodic sound symbolism in word learning during infancy.

2020 – 2023 (collaboration with Dr. P. Pexman (Co-I), University of Calgary)

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC): Insight Development Grant

Sound Symbolism may bootstrap infant word learning.

Award: $68,913

Internal Funding:

June 2024 - March 2025 (PI)

Support for the Advancement of Scholarship Research Fund (SAS); Faculty of Arts

The infants' knowledge of phonology and head-turn perceptual procedure

Award: $2850.00

July 2020 - March 2021 (collaboration with Dr. A. Arnhold (Co-I), University of Alberta)

Sound Studies Institute Seed Grant

Sounds online: A collaborative web portal for sound studies online and in-person projects.

Award: $5000

November 2019 – March 2021 (PI) – COVID-19 extension

Support for the Advancement of Scholarship Research Fund (SAS); Faculty of Arts

Mothers’ infant-directed speech across dialects of English.

Award: $6,399

January 2019 (PI)

Capital Equipment Recruitment Fund (CERF) Special Grant, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta

Grant: $8,383.72

December 15, 2017 – March 15, 2018 (PI)

Supplementary GRA Funding Competition

Grant: $2,200

2017 – 2021 (PI)

Faculty of Arts Lab Start Up Grant, University of Alberta

Grant: $65,000

2017 – 2021 (PI)

Faculty of Arts Research Start Up Grant, University of Alberta

Graduate Student Awards (U of Calgary):

2011 - 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Scholarship ($10,000)

2010 - 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Scholarship ($10,000)

2008 Alberta Heritage Fund ($2000)

2007 - 2008 Queen Elizabeth II Master's Scholarship ($9,300)