About

Welcome to FACTOR (Forensic Linguistics, Cybersecurity and Technology Research). Based in the Linguistics and English Language (LAEL) department, FACTOR is open to all Lancaster University academics, students, and visiting scholars who are interested in forensic linguistics research. Beyond the research talks, we also have an MSc in Forensic Linguistics & Speech Science, around ten PhD students, an annual Summer School, and a range of facilities.

Find below a series of occasionally asked questions:

What’s the back-story?

FACTOR started out life as FORGE (the Forensic Linguistics Research Group) in 2013 when it was first created by Claire Hardaker. On its tenth anniversary in 2023 it grew significantly, and evolved into the FACTOR of today.

Who runs FACTOR?

Academic staff

  • Professor Claire Hardaker (co-convenes LAEL6006 Forensic Linguistics; convenes LAEL7031 Language, Investigation and Intelligence and LAEL7033 Methods, Ethics, and Issues in Forensic Linguistics; Director of Studies for the MSc in Forensic Linguistics & Speech Science)
  • Dr George Brown (co-convenes LAEL6006 Forensic Linguistics, convenes LAEL7032 Language and Identification, and teaches on LAEL7033 Methods, Ethics, and Issues in Forensic Linguistics)
  • Dr Justin Lo (convenes LAEL7034 Foundations of Speech Science, and teaches on LAEL7033 Methods, Ethics, and Issues in Forensic Linguistics)
  • Dr Isobelle Clarke (teaches on LAEL7033 Methods, Ethics, and Issues in Forensic Linguistics)

Past FACTOR team members

  • William Dance (2018-2021)
  • Rebecca Norton (2020-2021)
  • Dr Jennifer Hughes (2015 RA)

What talks are coming up?

Your best way of keeping up to date with the FACTOR’s open series of talks and events is by subscribing to this blog for email alerts. They’re relatively in frequent and we won’t spam you.

Can I attend/give a talk at FACTOR?

With some exceptions, all Lancaster University academic staff, postgraduate students, and visitors are welcome as both guests and potential presenters, whilst undergraduate students are welcome as guests to the open talks. We also invite speakers from other academic institutions. Closed talks are either not advertised, or clearly marked as invitation only. If you’re not sure if you’re allowed to attend, or you’d like to propose a talk by yourself or someone else, send us an email (factor@lancaster.ac.uk).

How can I get in touch?

If you’d like to get in touch, e.g. to propose a talk or share an interesting story, email FACTOR directly (factor@lancaster.ac.uk).

Will you make talks available online/remotely?

We’ve always been keen to make the open FACTOR content as widely available as possible, however, some of the talks are strictly closed, and many others can involve sensitive, competitive, or confidential details, so this is often not possible. Where speakers give permission, the necessary equipment is available, and we get good footage, or where speakers have links to their own videos, we are always happy to provide those.

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