Professor Stefanie Keulen, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) – Department of Linguistics and Literary Studies (LIST) – and Head of the LRG Brussels Centre for Language Studies, has been elected as holder of the Empirical Foundations of Linguistics (EFL) International Chair 2026 in Paris. She receives this recognition for the exceptional quality of her scholarly work, the reach and impact of her publications, and her innovative, multidisciplinary approach to linguistic research.
The EFL International Chair is a prestigious distinction in the field of linguistics. Keulen receives this temporary, one-year appointment in recognition of her expertise in linguistics and neurolinguistics. During her stay in Paris, she will be one of three visiting professors within the inIdEx Empirical Foundations of Linguistics (EFL) project, which brings together internationally renowned researchers. She will teach, collaborate with researchers from various laboratories, and contribute to innovative interdisciplinary research.
“We are confident that this marks the beginning of a strong and lasting collaboration. Together with the Laboratoire de Phonétique et Phonologie, we recently launched a VLIR-UOS Small Great Project investigating Amazigh languages in Morocco. In addition, an FWO postdoctoral researcher, Dr Teja Rebernik, will begin in autumn 2026 on a project for which LPP serves as co-supervisor. Within that project, she will study the involvement of the cerebellum in speech coordination.”
The programme promotes collaboration between the VUB and French partners such as the Laboratoire de Phonétique et Phonologie (LPP), as well as Université Paris Cité, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, and the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO), all of which were entitled to nominate candidates for the position.
“I am truly honoured to receive this distinction as a principal lecturer. It is a recognition of the quality we achieve at the VUB in this field. Moreover, it seems to confirm once again the growing interest in neurolinguistics as a discipline within linguistics.”
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