My work is in the area of theoretical syntax, with particular reference to English and the other Germanic languages. I have a particular interest in the syntax of Faroese. In the past I have also worked on Japanese.

I am currently working on the syntax and semantics of nominal copular clauses. I am one of the two PIs on a joint AHRC/DFG funded project "The syntax of nominal copular clauses" with Jutta Hartmann of Bielefeld University as the German PI, and involving collaborations with Isabelle Roy (Nantes) and Roberto Zamparelli (Trento).  This project began in February 2024 and will run until 2027.

I am also working on a book on the syntax of Faroese, in a collaboration with Hjalmar P. Petersen (University of the Faroe Islands) and Ásgrímur Angantýsson (University of Iceland)

1991 PhD in Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania
1987 MA in Linguisics, University of Pennsylvania
1983 MA (1st class) in Modern Languages, King’s College, University of Cambridge

2017: Visiting Professor, Kyoto University (February–May)
2007: Professor of Syntax, University of Edinburgh
1999–2007: Reader, University of Edinburgh

I develop and teach courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programmes in PPLS, primarily in my main research area of syntax

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