Research centres, hubs and units
Research centres, hubs and units describes existing and developing groups housed within or closely associated with The School of Languages and Linguistics.
ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language
Language is perhaps the most remarkable innovation in the history of the human species giving us an effective means to cooperate in groups, pursue complex ideas and develop unique perspectives of our world. Our Centre is investigating language as a diverse, dynamic and evolving organism that interacts with our perceptual processes in ingenious ways.
At the heart of the Centre's work are four basic puzzles: Language diversity, Language learning, Language processing and Language evolution. Understanding why the world's languages are designed so differently - and how our minds acquire and exploit them to achieve different outcomes - will help generate important scientific insights and exciting new technologies. School of Languages and Linguistics researchers involved in the Centre include Professor Janet Fletcher, Associate Profesor Rachel Nordlinger, Dr Nick Thieberger and Professor Jill Wigglesworth.
Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC)
Established in 1990, the Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne has become an international leader in research and development in language assessment and language program evaluation. It is unique in that it is the only centre in the world dedicated exclusively to research in
these fields.
The Centre has carried out many major projects for institutions and government agencies throughout the world. The centre comprises a team of internationally renowned researchers in language assessment and language program evaluation. The current Director is Associate Professor Ute Knoch.
Phonetics Laboratory
The Phonetics Laboratory was established in 1988, and moved to its current site in the School of Languages and Linguistics in 2009. The laboratory is multi-purpose in nature and is the focus for phonetics teaching, speech science and laboratory phonology research in the School. The laboratory has collaborative links within the University of Melbourne, namely, Psychology, Cognitive Science, ESL, French and Italian Studies, and with other Linguistics and Speech Departments in Australia and overseas.
Research Hub for Language in Forensic Evidence
The Research Hub for Language in Forensic Evidence has been established to serve as a national hub coordinating research involving linguistics, law, and law enforcement. The main aim of the Hub is to assist the courts in ensuring that language and speech in forensic evidence is used in the best interests of justice and fairness.
Research Unit for Indigenous Language (RUIL)
RUIL consists of a team of researchers within the School of Languages and Linguistics whose research is focused on Indigenous languages. We work with Indigenous communities across Australia and the region to expand and strengthen Indigenous Language research, and to support efforts by communities to maintain their linguistic and cultural heritage.
Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-Cultural Communication (RUMACCC)
RUMACCC was founded in 2001 by the internationally renowned linguist, Professor Michael Clyne (1939-2010), when he was professorial fellow in linguistics at the University of Melbourne. The unit conducts research in Australian and international contexts in fields such as: the maintenance and development of bi- and multilingualism, including language demography; language in social context; bilingual education and sociolinguistic aspects of second language acquisition; inter-cultural communication; language policy; the provision and uptake of languages study in Australia.
The unit then disseminates the results of this research, facilitating cooperation between researchers, those who are the subjects of research, and the potential users of that research.
Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-Cultural Communication