Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Project Info

  • Name: Automated Speech Analysis Systems
  • Faculty Advisor: Naja Ferjan Ramirez
  • Department(s): Linguistics
  • Area(s): Developmental

Contact Info

  • Contact Person: Allen Chang
  • Email: achang97@uw.edu

Description

The Language Development and Processing (LDP) Lab (PI: Dr. Naja Ferjan Ramírez) is seeking motivated students to join a project comparing speech analysis systems used in language development research. We study how these systems measure speech in audio recordings from monolingual and bilingual households, with the goal of understanding potential measurement differences that could affect research conclusions about children’s language environments. Students will listen to short audio segments and make decisions about them. The work requires careful attention to audio but does not require specialized linguistic training.

Students will enroll in 2-4 credits of Psych 499 in Spring 2026. Email Allen Chang at achang97@uw.edu with the subject line “Speech Analysis Project 499 Interest.” Please send 1) a brief cover letter describing any prior research experience and why you are interested in the project; 2) your resume; 3) your unofficial transcript.

Minimum Requirements

Open to all students regardless of race, sex, or other identity. Must be fluent English speakers. Priority given to students with Linguistics, Speech and Hearing Sciences, or Psychology background. Spanish-English bilingual speakers are especially encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will also have experience with manual coding/annotation of audio recording data, but this experience is not necessary.