NEWS: Read about our “alien language” experiments, featured on Horizon.
World first Lectureship in Language Evolution, apply now!

Our focus is on understanding the origins and evolution of language and communication. We have pioneered the application of computational and mathematical modelling techniques to traditional issues in language acquisition, change and evolution. More recently, we have developed new experimental methodologies that allow us to extend our models to real human populations. The overall goal is to develop a theory of language as a complex adaptive system operating on multiple time-scales.

The LEC currently houses 2 faculty, 5 postdoctoral fellows, as well as over 20 postgraduate students working on language evolution. It is based in the department of Linguistics and English Language within the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences located on the first floor of the brand new Dugald Stewart Building in the University central campus.