Dr Sonja Schaeffler (M.A., PhD) is a Reader in Speech Variation in the Division of Speech & Hearing Sciences. She is also a full member of the Research Centre for Clinical Audiology, Speech & Language (CASL).
- Overview
- Research Interests
- Research Publications
- Funded Projects
- Teaching & Learning
I joined QMU in 2006 鈥 first as post-doctoral researcher, than as a lecturer. I鈥檓 now Reader in Speech Variation within the Division of Speech and the Research Centre for Clinical Audiology, Speech & Language (CASL).
With a background in Phonetics (M.A., Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit盲t M眉nchen) and Psychology (PhD, University of Stirling), much of my research and teaching takes place in the borderland between these two disciplines.
For more and up-to-date information, please visit my detailed .
Affiliations/Memberships to Other Organisations:
Member of the British Association of Academic Phoneticians (BAAP).
Member of the ESRC Peer Review College.
Research/Knowledge Exchange Centre Membership:
Research Centre for Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language (CASL) - Full.
I'm interested in the 鈥榳hen, how and why鈥 of speech听variation. My research is interdisciplinary and considers the fine-phonetic and articulatory details of speech variation, intentional and unconscious speech variation, as well as the intra- and interindividual differences that may facilitate or impede such variation (e.g. differences in cognitive processing, in oro-motor skills, in attitude, motivation and personality).
My projects include work on speech registers (particularly child-directed speech), on adaptations of articulatory settings in bilinguals,听and on variation in accent听use听(particularly in Scotland).
I鈥檓 also interested in the implications of speech variations: for the listener, and for the speaker's own sense of role and place.
For more and up-to-date information, please visit my detailed .
My SAVy research group on 鈥淪cottish Accent Variation鈥 鈥 with Prof Jim Scobbie (QMU), (Glasgow University) and PhD student听Janet Coulson (QMU).
Collaborative research on 鈥淭he Cultural Evolution of Child-Directed Speech鈥 鈥 with (Abertay University).
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Irina Brodskaya's current PhD project on the use of Ultrasound Tongue Imaging for 'second accent' training听(Co-Supervisor: Dr Felix Schaeffler).
Janet Coulson's current PhD project on听accent adaptions in professionally trained speakers听(Co-Supervisor: Prof Jim Scobbie, External Advisor: Prof Jennifer Smith, Glasgow University). 听
's PhD project on听articulatory reaction times听(Co-Supervisor: Prof Jim Scobbie):听Measuring Pre-Speech Articulation听(2019).
's ultrasound-based PhD project on听speech planning (Director of Study: Prof Martin Corley, Edinburgh University):听The involvement of the Speech Production System in Prediction During Comprehension: An Articulatory Imaging Investigation听(2016).
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Interested in a collaboration, or in applying for a PhD? Get in touch.
2022: SFC and UKRI Talent and Research Stabilisation Funding, 鈥淧rocurement of data for interdisciplinary research on the cultural evolution of Child-Directed Speech, P.I.: Dr Sonja Schaeffler, Co-Is: Prof Vera Kempe (Abertay University), Dr Glenn Williams (Northumbria University).听
2019: Small-project funding from the Research Centre for Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language (CASL), QMU, Edinburgh, for an RA to collect pilot data on听鈥淓xploring the ability and motivation of Edinburgh adolescent bi-dialectals to produce an English and a Scottish accent鈥
2018: Small-project funding from the Research Centre for Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language (CASL), QMU, for an RA to collect pilot data on听鈥淭he Ups and Downs of Bilingualism - Bilinguals鈥 Strengths and Weaknesses in Tasks Related to Executive Functioning".
2010: Named researcher on a grant funded under QMU's Project Investment Bid scheme: "Cognitive Correlates of Articulatory Settings" (in collaboration with Dr Martin Corley, Department of Psychology, Edinburgh University).
2008 - 2010: PI on the ESRC-funded project "Open-Mouthed or Stiff Upper Lip? Exploring Language-Specific Articulatory Settings in English-German Bilinguals" (RES-000-22-3032, co-investigators: Prof Jim Scobbie and Prof Ineke Mennen).
2009 - 2010: Research Fellow on the EPSRC-funded project "An Edinburgh Speech Production Facility" (EP/E01609X/1 and EP/E016359/1, PI: Prof Alice Turk and Prof Jim Scobbie, Co-Investigators: Dr Simon King, Prof Steve Renals, Dr Robin Lickley, Dr Sonja Schaeffler).
2008: Named researcher on a British Academy small grant: "Exploring Differences in Articulatory Settings Across Languages" (SG-48460, PI: Prof Jim Scobbie, 麻豆原创).
2008: Named researcher on a British Academy small grant: "Refining the analysis of acoustic indicators for the vocal expression of positive emotion" (SG-49512, PI: Dr Vera Kempe, Abertay University).
2007 - 2008: Postdoctoral Fellowship funded by the ESRC: "The Phonetic Details of Speech Variation and Their Impact on Listener Comprehension and Attention" (PTA-026-27-1465).
2004: Studentship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
2003 - 2005: Faculty studentship from the University of Stirling.
1999 - 2000: Erasmus scholarship for an exchange semester at UCL London's .
I teach on all aspects of typical lifespan anatomy, physiology and cognitive sciences that are relevant to our Speech and Language Therapy programmes.听
Much of my teaching focusses on developing Students as Researchers (in line with the Higher Education Academy's framework). I oversee research-focussed learning activities from Level 1 through to final-year Honours and Masters projects.
