About me
My name is Anna Laoide-Kemp, and I am a PhD research student working in the field of Theoretical Linguistics. My research interests include phonological and morphosyntactic theory, with a particular focus on the interface between these modules.
My background
I have a diverse academic background, having initially studied Theoretical Physics and Mathematics in university before moving into Linguistics for my master’s degree. While doing my master’s, I became interested in initial consonant mutation (ICM) in the Celtic languages. I wrote my MPhil dissertation on this topic, looking at how interactions between grammatical modules could be modelled within the framework of Optimality Theory. I am currently working towards a PhD, continuing my research into the theory of Irish initial consonant mutation, but this time with a focus on analysing ICM within a strictly modular grammatical architecture.
You can read more about my research here; see here for details of my presentations and publications to date.
Teaching
Throughout my time in academia I have been actively involved in tutoring, and I consider it one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I am passionate about creating a classroom environment where all students are supported to reach their full potential. I am also interested in innovative methods for teaching fundamental linguistic concepts, particularly the incorporation of language puzzles into the curriculum.
You can find out more about the courses I tutor on and my teaching philosophy here.
Qualifications
2018. MPhil in Linguistics (Trinity College Dublin). Awarded with Distinction.
2015. MASt in Mathematics (Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge). Awarded First Class Honours with Merit.
2014. BA (Mod) in Theoretical Physics (Trinity College Dublin). Awarded First Class Honours with Gold Medal.