Dr. Patricia Shaw

Biography

Patricia Shaw is an Emerita Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Anthropology, Nations & Endangered Languages Program within the Faculty of Arts. She has had a distinguished career focusing on anthropological linguistics, particularly in the areas of endangered language documentation, conservation, and revitalization. Dr. Shaw has dedicated decades to working closely with critically endangered language communities, including those speaking Salish, Wakashan, Siouan, Athapaskan, and Algonquian languages. Her research involves recording and analyzing grammatical and cultural knowledge and teaching research skills related to archiving methodologies and developing pedagogical materials for language revitalization. In addition to her long-standing role as the Founding Chair of the Nations Languages Program, Dr. Shaw served as President of the Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas and has been involved with several committees focused on endangered languages preservation. Her teaching contributions have extended to initiatives such as the Breath of Life Archival Institute for Indigenous Languages and various InField programs across notable universities.

Research Interests