Dr. Erik Smitterberg

Biography

Erik Smitterberg is a Professor of English Linguistics at Uppsala University. He earned his PhD in English Linguistics from Uppsala University, becoming a docent in English in 2008, and was promoted to professor on January 1, 2022. His doctoral thesis, published by Rodopi in 2005, investigated the development of the English progressive during the nineteenth century. He completed his PhD project in 2002 and has held positions as a Senior Lecturer at Örebro University from 2002 to 2003 and at the University of Gävle from 2003 to 2008. Additionally, he worked as a post-doctoral research fellow in English Linguistics at Stockholm University from 2004 to 2007. Smitterberg's research focuses on empirical studies based on corpora of electronic collections of authentic texts, particularly in relation to Late Modern English, syntax, and linguistic changes. He has authored a monograph published by Cambridge University Press in late 2021, addressing stability paradoxes in language change, supported by theories of social networks. Current projects include investigations into conjuncts and punctuation practices in historical English. He is also interested in providing pedagogical advice for English language learners and has published a workbook for identifying and correcting learner errors.

Research Interests