Profile

Profile – Dr Vitor Zimmerer, University College London

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Dr Vitor Zimmerer Profile Picture.

Dr Vitor Zimmerer

Name:

Dr Vitor Zimmerer

Job Title:

Lecturer

Place of work / study:

Department of Language and Cognition, University College London

Area of research:

Clinical linguistics, cognitive science

Tell us a little about yourself:            

I studied linguistics at Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf, and have a PhD in Human Communication Sciences from the University of Sheffield. I am very interested in the effects of neurological damage and atypical development on language and study a range of populations including dementia and aphasia. I am particularly interested in language as a marker of cognitive change.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself:           

I have lost a language myself. I was born in Brazil and lived there for six years. Today, Brazilians say that my Portuguese is “pretty good for a tourist”. I smile and say “obrigado”.

Why did you choose to work in dementia?

Initially it was because I was interested in language analysis methods which can detect small changes, such as the changes we see in dementia. Now that I have become involved in the dementia research community, and designed a university module on dementia, I feel that I am part of an important cause.

What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?

Most PhD students become world experts in a very narrow subject. After your PhD, spread out to learn about related topics, better understand the bigger picture, and create more job options.

What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?

I am reading new approaches to language theory: books by Morten Christiansen, Nick Chater and Adele Goldberg. If you know linguistics as something that doesn’t quite connect with psychology, you might enjoy these.

Can we find you on Twitter?

Would you like to share your playlist?

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Translate »