Alissa Ferry

@Ally_Valentini and I are looking for a postdoc for a 31-month @UKRI_News project @UniofGreenwich on the inferential skills of multilingual children in spoken and written language.  Please RT! 🙏🙏 The deadline for applications is 10th December. tinyurl.com/3xh75hsu

My marking of essays about cultural evolution in non-humans was interrupted by a squirrel innovating a new way to access my bird feeder (jumping down from the roof). Let’s hope this behaviour doesn’t spread to the other squirrels. #culturalevolution #squirrels

A unique study has thrown fascinating new light on how young children begin to understand the meaning of words. The researchers set up a study in Manchester Museum, working with a group of three to eight-year olds🔤🗣️ @USBabyScientist @FBMH_UoM manchester.ac.uk/about/news/res…

And then the figure out that some only refer to changes in specific dimensions! So what they think a word means starts out broad and then narrows in on the more precise meanings!

But it’s not until about age 7 that they will reliably build up for the word taller! This suggests that kids gradually figure out the exact meaning of words. Initially they learn that these are all word about size differences, then figure out that some are + and some are -

Our new paper is out! In this study we tried to figure what children think words like bigger, smaller, and taller mean. You can read it here: doi.org/10.1111/cdev.1…

We are looking for 2 research assistants based in Turkey in a very exciting cross-cultural longitudinal project on language and socio-cognitive development working with me, Henriette Zeidler, and Manuel Bohn!! More information on manuelbohn.github.io/vw-add.html

I’ve been down with a bad dose of covid, but that had given me a chance to read my cousin’s first novel. An excellent book about the drama of friendship in high school sports with some PA flair (fancy camo for the dance? Of course!). Excellent debut novel by @ShannonJCurtin

After coming down with covid for the first time, I received a special delivery of a life-sized @DannyDeVito cutout to “keep an eye on me”. I feel safe now.

🎓 Exciting PhD Opportunity! Study risk & protective factors in spoken language acquisition for deaf children @OfficialUoM. Supervised by Prof. Theakston, Dr Burgoyne & Dr Jones. Apply by 28 June 2024. Details & apply:findaphd.com/phds/project/r…

Looking for a postdoc? @cimec_unitrento we will investigate the cognitive and neural basis of communication in newborns (EEG) and adults (fMRI). Get in touch if interested: eugenio.parise@unitn.it Research group cimec.unitn.it/en/1589/brain-… Application lavoraconnoi.unitn.it/en/research-co…

Another fascinating study for the adults, looking at what our brains are doing as we process sounds 👂 If you are interested in taking part or have any questions, please drop us a message or email sarah.breen@manchester.ac.uk ✨

Join us as a full-time Research Assistant with the @UoM_ChildStudy & @LuCiD_Centre to help with participant recruitment and ongoing projects from infancy to preschool years. Apply by 21/5/2024. Details: jobs.manchester.ac.uk/internal/Job/J…

The project is led by Jill Lany @LancasterUni, @PBrusini @LivUni and Alissa Ferry @USBabyScientist @OfficialUoM. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to Jill Lany at  j.lany@lancaster.ac.uk.

🚨We’re hiring! 🚨 Our Leverhulme Trust funded project looking is hiring a postdoctoral researcher! The project will use eye-tracking and EEG to look at how 6- to 18-month-olds learn words. The position is based at Lancaster University. Please share! Info: hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?r…

The @UoM_ChildStudy is in Toronto for the Cognitive Neuroscience Society conference! We’ve had fun explaining how infants and adults process language 🤗 #CNS2024

My family has been taken to Gaza. We don't know their medical condition, we know that if my uncle isn't released soon he could die, he has a degenerative disease and needs treatment. They are European citizens. I need anyone with any contacts to get in touch with me ASAP.

Important update regarding UMUCU strike action