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Project „Empirical Gender Linguistics“

Leibniz Institute for the German Language (IDS)

A selfie of eight adults on a narrow indoor bowling lane with a green surface, yellow gutters and pins at the far end. In the foreground, a bearded man wearing glasses is holding the camera. Behind him, seven casually dressed people are standing or kneeling in two rows, two of whom have raised a hand.
Photo: private (Louis Cotgrove)

The research environment contributes corpus-based and quantitative approaches to gender linguistics: The members analyze large collections of real-life texts – such as newspapers – to examine how language and gender are connected. They develop empirically grounded studies that foster a more evidence-based perspective in polarized debates. The findings are communicated in university teaching and to the broader public. The research environment is characterized by structured support for early-career scholars, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a culture of critical exchange, initiative, and collegial support.

Strengths of the research environment

  • Strong support for academic development
    Doctoral studies, publications and individual research projects are closely supervised whilst allowing for a high degree of independence.

  • Internationally connected and visible
    Staff members are involved at an early stage in international publication processes, conferences, summer schools and stays abroad.

  • Mentoring and professional development with prospects
    Mentoring programmes, methodological training and targeted career support foster academic advancement.

  • Open culture of supervision and feedback
    Weekly discussion sessions, reading groups and close dialogue with project leaders create a productive, supportive environment.

  • Space for initiative and networking
    Original ideas, science communication formats and bottom-up networks for early-career researchers are actively encouraged.

Examples

  • GENELLI external funding project
    This cross-disciplinary collaboration promotes interdisciplinary knowledge and research among all project staff. This gives rise to extensive networks extending beyond German linguistics (e.g. DIW Berlin, Cognitive Science at the University of Freiburg) and opens up a wide range of academic insights as well as particularly fruitful prospects regarding potential career paths.

  • In-house mentoring programme
    Early-career researchers are actively engaged with and supported in gender linguistics as early as their Master’s studies, which has led to publications, presentations, and project and dissertation work in this field. They can also gain early experience in supervising without having to take on full Master’s theses. In this way, a fruitful exchange develops between different career stages and the research community grows ever closer together.

Contact persons

Address

Leibniz-Institut für Deutsche Sprache (IDS)
R5 6-13
68161 Mannheim

More information

Website of the project "Empirische Genderlinguistik" at the Leibniz Institute for the German Language (in German)