Dr. Francis Nolan

Professor

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Biography

Francis Nolan is an Emeritus Professor of Phonetics at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics. His research primarily centers on phonetic theory, focusing on the extent and identity of what speakers encode in their speech. An early highlight of his work includes the publication of 'Phonetic Bases of Speaker Recognition' (Cambridge: CUP, 1983, reissued 2009), which laid foundational insights into the application of phonetics in forensic science. Throughout his career, he has led projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), such as DyVis and VoiceSim, examining various aspects of speaker identity. His research interests also encompass prosody, including speech rhythm, dialect differences, intonation, and phonetic variation in fluent, natural speech. In addition to his research, Nolan's teaching covers phonetic theory and description, phonology, practical phonetic skills, and experimental phonetics, reflecting his comprehensive expertise in the domain.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Cambridge

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
UK Bachelor's Degree with good Upper Second Class Honours or international equivalent Background in international relations, politics, law, economics, security or history is a definite asset
Application Checklist
  • Two academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal statement (approx 500 words)
  • Research proposal (1-2 pages/500 words)
  • Application fee (£50)
Specialization Notes

Standard postgraduate requirements for Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and related humanities departments.