Caroline Rowland
@carorowland.bsky.social
Researcher in child language development @MPI for Psycholinguistics & Radboud Uni. She/her. "All models are wrong but some are useful" (George Box 1978). https://www.mpi.nl/people/rowland-caroline
Pinned
Caroline Rowland
@carorowland.bsky.social
· Jun 27
Constructing language: a framework for explaining acquisition
Explaining how children build a language system is a central goal of research in language
acquisition, with broad implications for language evolution, adult language processing,
and artificial intelli...
www.cell.com
Children are incredible language learning machines. But how do they do it? Our latest paper, just published in TICS, synthesizes decades of evidence to propose four components that must be built into any theory of how children learn language. 1/
www.cell.com/trends/cogni... @mpi-nl.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/cogni... @mpi-nl.bsky.social
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
Want to be a part of the historic 50th annual Penn Linguistics Conference, to be held Feb 28 - March 1, 2026? Make sure to submit your abstract by the Nov 1st deadline. Read more here: sites.google.com/sas.upenn.ed...
October 23, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Want to be a part of the historic 50th annual Penn Linguistics Conference, to be held Feb 28 - March 1, 2026? Make sure to submit your abstract by the Nov 1st deadline. Read more here: sites.google.com/sas.upenn.ed...
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
Paper in Language and Cognition with @marktorrance.bsky.social and @seriousstats.bsky.social
We show that semantic contrast shapes timing of pre-planning in speech and writing.
doi.org/10.1017/lang...
If you're into how context shapes how we plan language, check it out!
We show that semantic contrast shapes timing of pre-planning in speech and writing.
doi.org/10.1017/lang...
If you're into how context shapes how we plan language, check it out!
October 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Paper in Language and Cognition with @marktorrance.bsky.social and @seriousstats.bsky.social
We show that semantic contrast shapes timing of pre-planning in speech and writing.
doi.org/10.1017/lang...
If you're into how context shapes how we plan language, check it out!
We show that semantic contrast shapes timing of pre-planning in speech and writing.
doi.org/10.1017/lang...
If you're into how context shapes how we plan language, check it out!
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
This morning my ChatGPT quota was inexplicably exhausted.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
October 18, 2025 at 9:04 AM
This morning my ChatGPT quota was inexplicably exhausted.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
Apparently Bluesky is seeing an influx of new users. Welcome!
If you're interested in science, journalism, and/or science writing, here are a bunch of folks worth following.
go.bsky.app/7Z8u31b
If you're interested in science, journalism, and/or science writing, here are a bunch of folks worth following.
go.bsky.app/7Z8u31b
October 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Apparently Bluesky is seeing an influx of new users. Welcome!
If you're interested in science, journalism, and/or science writing, here are a bunch of folks worth following.
go.bsky.app/7Z8u31b
If you're interested in science, journalism, and/or science writing, here are a bunch of folks worth following.
go.bsky.app/7Z8u31b
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
We know that we’ve achieved diversity (with representation) when there is change in how and why things are done. Change in systems and structures. If the status quo is preserved it means there’s no diversity.
October 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
We know that we’ve achieved diversity (with representation) when there is change in how and why things are done. Change in systems and structures. If the status quo is preserved it means there’s no diversity.
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
If you think that professors exist as repositories of knowledge that students ask for answers, you’re missing the entire point of a college education.
We’re here to teach students how to do research, how to analyze and argue, how to think for themselves — how to find the answers on their own.
We’re here to teach students how to do research, how to analyze and argue, how to think for themselves — how to find the answers on their own.
Wow. Just wow.
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
When Knowledge is Free, What are Professors For?
Higher Education Must Stop Competing with AI on Information and Start Teaching What Machines Can’t Do
www.forbes.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
If you think that professors exist as repositories of knowledge that students ask for answers, you’re missing the entire point of a college education.
We’re here to teach students how to do research, how to analyze and argue, how to think for themselves — how to find the answers on their own.
We’re here to teach students how to do research, how to analyze and argue, how to think for themselves — how to find the answers on their own.
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
University administration:
"We need you to complete 26 hours of lab safety training 🧪 each year so that everyone is safe and responsible."
Also university administration:
"We need you to complete 26 hours of lab safety training 🧪 each year so that everyone is safe and responsible."
Also university administration:
October 15, 2025 at 3:09 PM
University administration:
"We need you to complete 26 hours of lab safety training 🧪 each year so that everyone is safe and responsible."
Also university administration:
"We need you to complete 26 hours of lab safety training 🧪 each year so that everyone is safe and responsible."
Also university administration:
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
DLD is different in each child, but looking back many parents remember a time that their child's language stood out, like Nichole here who noticed her child struggling with literacy and spoken sentences.
This example is of a child, but it affects adults too.
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
radld.org
This example is of a child, but it affects adults too.
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
radld.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
DLD is different in each child, but looking back many parents remember a time that their child's language stood out, like Nichole here who noticed her child struggling with literacy and spoken sentences.
This example is of a child, but it affects adults too.
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
radld.org
This example is of a child, but it affects adults too.
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
radld.org
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
Two weeks to the deadline for #PUMP @BUCLD 50 registration!
All BUCLD 50 attendees can join in! You can register at: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Learn more about PUMP@BUCLD 50 at:
www.bu.edu/bucld/attend...
#BUCLD50 #Mentorship #LanguageDevelopment #Networking #AcademicGrowth
All BUCLD 50 attendees can join in! You can register at: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Learn more about PUMP@BUCLD 50 at:
www.bu.edu/bucld/attend...
#BUCLD50 #Mentorship #LanguageDevelopment #Networking #AcademicGrowth
October 15, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Two weeks to the deadline for #PUMP @BUCLD 50 registration!
All BUCLD 50 attendees can join in! You can register at: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Learn more about PUMP@BUCLD 50 at:
www.bu.edu/bucld/attend...
#BUCLD50 #Mentorship #LanguageDevelopment #Networking #AcademicGrowth
All BUCLD 50 attendees can join in! You can register at: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Learn more about PUMP@BUCLD 50 at:
www.bu.edu/bucld/attend...
#BUCLD50 #Mentorship #LanguageDevelopment #Networking #AcademicGrowth
Exactly. Successful movements work on two levels
1.Protestors do everything to keep the issue at top of mind.Unfortunately cos of what the media choose to report this means being annoying
2.In the background politicians/diplomats negotiate change, empowered by the issue being top of mind in the news
1.Protestors do everything to keep the issue at top of mind.Unfortunately cos of what the media choose to report this means being annoying
2.In the background politicians/diplomats negotiate change, empowered by the issue being top of mind in the news
To be effective, protest must be noisy, obstructive, annoying. No longer is this allowed. Now the last attribute of effective dissent – persistence – is also to be banned. But the moment protest ceases to be effective is the moment democracy dies. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Here’s what you need to know about Starmer’s illiberal protest curbs: they would have killed the Labour party at birth | George Monbiot
The rights we enjoy in the UK, and the movement the PM purports to lead, were built on protest. Those rights are in dire peril, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Exactly. Successful movements work on two levels
1.Protestors do everything to keep the issue at top of mind.Unfortunately cos of what the media choose to report this means being annoying
2.In the background politicians/diplomats negotiate change, empowered by the issue being top of mind in the news
1.Protestors do everything to keep the issue at top of mind.Unfortunately cos of what the media choose to report this means being annoying
2.In the background politicians/diplomats negotiate change, empowered by the issue being top of mind in the news
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
In the latest Child Lang. Bulletin, we introduced IASCL's Repository of Research Papers on Underrepresented Languages, a resource designed for easy access and sharing of research on the acquisition of children learning underrepresented languages. Read more here: www.childlanguage.org/underreprese...
October 9, 2025 at 7:02 AM
In the latest Child Lang. Bulletin, we introduced IASCL's Repository of Research Papers on Underrepresented Languages, a resource designed for easy access and sharing of research on the acquisition of children learning underrepresented languages. Read more here: www.childlanguage.org/underreprese...
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
Join us for our student workshop by the founders of Science Homecoming at #BUCLD50!
Dr. Cantlon will give the presentation “Writing to Defend American Science” at the student workshop on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM.
#ScienceHomecoming #BostonUniversity #LanguageDevelopment
Dr. Cantlon will give the presentation “Writing to Defend American Science” at the student workshop on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM.
#ScienceHomecoming #BostonUniversity #LanguageDevelopment
October 14, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Join us for our student workshop by the founders of Science Homecoming at #BUCLD50!
Dr. Cantlon will give the presentation “Writing to Defend American Science” at the student workshop on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM.
#ScienceHomecoming #BostonUniversity #LanguageDevelopment
Dr. Cantlon will give the presentation “Writing to Defend American Science” at the student workshop on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM.
#ScienceHomecoming #BostonUniversity #LanguageDevelopment
Question for the child development researchers hive mind - how much do you pay parents for filling in an online questionnaire about their children. And does it depend how long the questionnaire is? Thanks!!
October 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Question for the child development researchers hive mind - how much do you pay parents for filling in an online questionnaire about their children. And does it depend how long the questionnaire is? Thanks!!
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
#DLDday is coming, so I’m starting a thread over a few days.
DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) is all about spoken language. Words and sentences are tricky for people with DLD. And people don’t grow out of it.
#DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social
DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) is all about spoken language. Words and sentences are tricky for people with DLD. And people don’t grow out of it.
#DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
#DLDday is coming, so I’m starting a thread over a few days.
DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) is all about spoken language. Words and sentences are tricky for people with DLD. And people don’t grow out of it.
#DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social
DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) is all about spoken language. Words and sentences are tricky for people with DLD. And people don’t grow out of it.
#DevLangDis @radld.bsky.social
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
As a primatologist, Jane Goodall was a huge inspiration to me. I admired the way she describes chimpanzee behavior with such detail and empathy, and she’s inspired so many people and advocated for chimpanzee conservation and welfare.
However, I'm dismayed at what her narrative leaves out (1/10)
However, I'm dismayed at what her narrative leaves out (1/10)
October 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
As a primatologist, Jane Goodall was a huge inspiration to me. I admired the way she describes chimpanzee behavior with such detail and empathy, and she’s inspired so many people and advocated for chimpanzee conservation and welfare.
However, I'm dismayed at what her narrative leaves out (1/10)
However, I'm dismayed at what her narrative leaves out (1/10)
End of a 3 year era. Kick off of our MEDAL final conference in beautiful Tartu... medal.ut.ee/event/final-...
October 9, 2025 at 6:44 AM
End of a 3 year era. Kick off of our MEDAL final conference in beautiful Tartu... medal.ut.ee/event/final-...
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
Know someone whose excellence in research and contributions to the CogSci community should be recognized? Nominate them to be a Fellow of the Cognitive Science Society!
Deadline: Nov 1
More info: cognitivesciencesociety.org/fellows/
Deadline: Nov 1
More info: cognitivesciencesociety.org/fellows/
The CogSci Society is accepting nominations for 🌟Fellows of the Society🌟
Fellows are individuals whose research has exhibited sustained excellence and had sustained impact on the #CogSci community.
Visit cognitivesciencesociety.org/fellows/ and submit your nomination until November 1st!
Fellows are individuals whose research has exhibited sustained excellence and had sustained impact on the #CogSci community.
Visit cognitivesciencesociety.org/fellows/ and submit your nomination until November 1st!
October 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Know someone whose excellence in research and contributions to the CogSci community should be recognized? Nominate them to be a Fellow of the Cognitive Science Society!
Deadline: Nov 1
More info: cognitivesciencesociety.org/fellows/
Deadline: Nov 1
More info: cognitivesciencesociety.org/fellows/
Fabulous review here! Essential reading for language and literacty bods
🧩Learning to talk & read isn’t just about effort or teaching—it’s shaped by biology, experience & context
🧠Our new review links genetics, neuroscience, psychology & education to show why some children find language or reading easier.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️genes→brain→cognition→behaviour 🧵👇
🧠Our new review links genetics, neuroscience, psychology & education to show why some children find language or reading easier.
📖 doi.org/10.31234/osf...
🖼️genes→brain→cognition→behaviour 🧵👇
October 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Fabulous review here! Essential reading for language and literacty bods
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
I knew something was going to happen, as my husband (a clinical researcher) was involved in planning COVID studies. As a school leader, I was finding out as much as I could and planning in any way I could.
1/2
bsky.app/profile/tesm...
1/2
bsky.app/profile/tesm...
The CEO of the biggest MAT criticises the DfE for ‘an extraordinary dereliction of duty’ in not planning for school closures during the pandemic
DfE not planning for school closures ‘was a dereliction of duty’
Leader of the biggest MAT tells the UK Covid inquiry that while his trust was making preparations for closures in March 2020, he was not aware of the DfE issuing directives to local authorities
www.tes.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:41 AM
I knew something was going to happen, as my husband (a clinical researcher) was involved in planning COVID studies. As a school leader, I was finding out as much as I could and planning in any way I could.
1/2
bsky.app/profile/tesm...
1/2
bsky.app/profile/tesm...
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
When I was 7, my teacher told us to write an article about “world cultures” for school over the weekend. I remembered it late on Sunday so in a panic I made up something called the "Icelandic Fish Festival", figuring said teacher wouldn’t know either way.
May 17, 2024 at 9:01 AM
When I was 7, my teacher told us to write an article about “world cultures” for school over the weekend. I remembered it late on Sunday so in a panic I made up something called the "Icelandic Fish Festival", figuring said teacher wouldn’t know either way.
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
"A compelling and thought-provoking analysis of human sociality and the origins of language."
The Interaction Engine by Stephen C. Levinson (@mpi-nl.bsky.social), Out Now & #OpenAccess
https://cup.org/4nusznG
#OA #Linguistics #LangSky 🐦🐦
The Interaction Engine by Stephen C. Levinson (@mpi-nl.bsky.social), Out Now & #OpenAccess
https://cup.org/4nusznG
#OA #Linguistics #LangSky 🐦🐦
October 1, 2025 at 9:05 PM
"A compelling and thought-provoking analysis of human sociality and the origins of language."
The Interaction Engine by Stephen C. Levinson (@mpi-nl.bsky.social), Out Now & #OpenAccess
https://cup.org/4nusznG
#OA #Linguistics #LangSky 🐦🐦
The Interaction Engine by Stephen C. Levinson (@mpi-nl.bsky.social), Out Now & #OpenAccess
https://cup.org/4nusznG
#OA #Linguistics #LangSky 🐦🐦
Cat Davies reports to the UK covid-19 inquiry this week "early childhood .... was significantly disrupted...Normally, when one support system falters, families can turn to alternatives... the pandemic removed almost all options simultaneously". medium.com/@ahcresearch...
Little Lives, Big Changes: How Covid-19 Shaped Young Children’s Development in the UK
Catherine Davies is a Professor of Language Development at the University of Leeds’ School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. Her…
medium.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Cat Davies reports to the UK covid-19 inquiry this week "early childhood .... was significantly disrupted...Normally, when one support system falters, families can turn to alternatives... the pandemic removed almost all options simultaneously". medium.com/@ahcresearch...
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
Twenty-four years ago today, our paper “A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder” was published: www.nature.com/articles/350....
A personal thread about the ups & downs of the journey we took to get to that point....1/n
🗣️🧬🧪
A personal thread about the ups & downs of the journey we took to get to that point....1/n
🗣️🧬🧪
October 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Twenty-four years ago today, our paper “A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder” was published: www.nature.com/articles/350....
A personal thread about the ups & downs of the journey we took to get to that point....1/n
🗣️🧬🧪
A personal thread about the ups & downs of the journey we took to get to that point....1/n
🗣️🧬🧪
Reposted by Caroline Rowland
This weekend I gave another workshop on #ShamelessSelfPromotion and now you all can apply what I am preaching by self-nominating as new Max Planck Director, for example in psycholinguistics
Go for it, especially if you think you aren't 'good enough'
www.mpg.de/directors
www.mpi.nl/news/help-sh...
Go for it, especially if you think you aren't 'good enough'
www.mpg.de/directors
www.mpi.nl/news/help-sh...
Directors
The Max Planck Society offers Directors a unique platform for groundbreaking research and leadership in diverse scientific fields.
www.mpg.de
October 6, 2025 at 8:45 AM
This weekend I gave another workshop on #ShamelessSelfPromotion and now you all can apply what I am preaching by self-nominating as new Max Planck Director, for example in psycholinguistics
Go for it, especially if you think you aren't 'good enough'
www.mpg.de/directors
www.mpi.nl/news/help-sh...
Go for it, especially if you think you aren't 'good enough'
www.mpg.de/directors
www.mpi.nl/news/help-sh...