Dr. Devyani Sharma

Biography

Devyani Sharma is a faculty member at the University of Oxford in the Department of Linguistics, Philology, and Phonetics. Her research focuses on the variances in languages, dialects, and accents and how they intersect with social systems and individual psychology. She has conducted studies in sociolinguistics, including style variation, migration, bilingualism, and new varieties of English. Currently, she is investigating real-time changes in English used by Londoners through her ESRC project 'Generations of London English,' analyzing how individuals develop their speaking styles across social contexts. Additionally, her work highlights how accent repertoires and style-shifting relate to social identity and cognition. Her research also includes examining accent biases and their impacts on recruitment in elite professions, as highlighted in her ESRC project 'Accent Bias in Britain.' Sharma has published extensively in the field, with notable works including 'Deficit Dialect: Evolution of English in India and Singapore' and contributions to the 'Oxford Handbook of World Englishes.' She actively engages in public outreach and has co-developed various online resources aimed at promoting linguistic awareness and education.

Research Interests

Experience