Dr. Janet Werker

Professor

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Biography

Janet Werker is a Killam Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia's Department of Psychology. She is a founding member of the Early Development Research Group, which includes six research centers focused on the development of language, learning, and social understanding in infants and children. Her research is internationally recognized for its examination of the perceptual foundations of language acquisition in both monolingual and bilingual infants. Over her prolific career, she has published approximately 200 papers and chapters in leading journals such as Science, Nature, and Psychological Science. Her work has been supported by various funding sources including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the National Institutes of Health in the USA. Her teaching and research concentrate on understanding the roots of language acquisition and the mechanisms by which native speech sound categories are formed during infancy. Through her interdisciplinary approach, she aims to explore critical periods that underpin changes in development, thereby informing and supporting early literacy, particularly considering the linguistic and cultural contexts in which infants grow.

Research Interests

Awards

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Benjamin Franklin Institute Medal

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Member National Academy Sciences

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William James Fellow Award

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Canada Research Chair

2015-01-01
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Canadian Institute Advanced Research Fellow

2004-01-01
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Killam Prize

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Officer Order Canada

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Pickering Centre Research Human Development Award

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University Killam Professor

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Social Science Humanities Research Council Gold Medal

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American Academy Arts Sciences Fellow

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Cognitive Science Society Fellow

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American Association Advancement Science Fellow

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Association Psychological Science Fellow

2005-01-01
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Canadian Psychological Association Fellow

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Royal Society Canada Fellow

Requirements for University of British Columbia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field 3 credits in formal logic 6 credits at the upper level in history of philosophy 3 credits at the upper level in ethics or value theory 6 credits at the upper level in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of science
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of intent
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
Specialization Notes

Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.