People

Dr Catherine Laing (PI)

I am a Senior Lecturer in Developmental Linguistics in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at the University of York. I got my PhD from the University of York and have since worked in North Carolina and Cardiff. I am interested in how babies make the transition from babble to words, and I use methods such as eye-tracking and lingual (tongue) ultrasound to find this out! I also work with speech and language therapists and other practitioners to find ways to apply my work in real-world settings.

Dr Florence Oxley (PDRA)

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at the University of York, where I got my PhD. I have previously held other research and teaching positions at York, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leeds Beckett, and Huddersfield. I am interested in how our bodies, brains, and day-to-day experiences in the world shape how we develop as individuals. In particular, I am interested in how feedback from babies’ and children’s actions and interactions with others influence their behaviour and brain development. Understanding these things can help us find ways to improve important life outcomes for all.

I welcomed my own baby in early February 2026, so I'll be taking some leave from the SENFM project this year.

Dr Mingtong Li (PDRA)

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at the University of York. I completed my PhD in Psychology from the University of Warwick. My research focuses on how young learners engage with communicative input, and how perceptual and sensorimotor experiences supports language learning across development.

Kylan Smith

I am a Lab Manager for SENFM in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at the University of York. I have recently finished my MSc in Psycholinguistics at the University of York. My research interests lie in how the rhythm of speech can influence the perceived meaning.

Charlotte Blake

I am a part-time Lab Manager for SENFM in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at the University of York. I completed my MSc in Developmental Psychology from the University of Kent, and I am now working on my PhD at Ulster University, exploring young children’s thinking and social development. My interests are in how social relationships shape children's knowledge and understanding of the world, particularly relating to acquisition of language and socio-moral behaviours and values.

Anna Patterson (RA)

I am a Research Assistant for the SENFM project, and also a psychology student in my third year at the University of York. I have a strong interest in language and development, and I particularly enjoy hands-on tasks like extracting vocalisations from audio data and coding video data. In the future, I hope to continue my studies with a Master’s and pursue a career in developmental psychology research.

Lucy Coneron (RA)

I am a Research Assistant on SENFM, and a third year student in English Language and Linguistics. I am involved in running experiments on infant language development, and work on practical tasks utilising various research methods and data coding. I would like to go on to do a master's course in speech and language therapy after graduation.

Georgie Simpson (RA)

I'm a Research Assistant on the SENFM Project, alongside being a third year Psychology student at the University doing an Integrated Masters (specialising in Neuroscience and Neuroimaging). I'm interested in everything about the brain, language, and how we experience the world around us, and I love getting involved in research. After my Masters, I'm hoping to do a PhD in Neuroscience, with an aim to eventually become a researcher and lecturer!

Collaborators and former staff members

Dr Rajalakshmi Madhavan

Raji previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate on the SENFM team. She now works on a Many Babies project in South Korea.

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