Sam Kirkham

I'm Lecturer in Sociophonetics at Lancaster University, based in the Department of Linguistics and English Language and Lancaster University Phonetics Lab.

My research examines the relationship between language and identity in multiethnic adolescent communities. My work uses a range of methods, such as ethnographic fieldwork, acoustic analysis, articulatory phonetics (ultrasound, EPG), and statistical modelling. I am currently working on the following research projects:

• Ethnicity, social practice and phonetic variation [funded by AHRC, 2009-2012]
• Phonetic variation and social meaning in British political discourse [funded by University of Sheffield Rapid Response Fund, 2012-2013; with Emma Moore]
• Acoustic-articulatory relationships in coronal stop production [funded by Lancaster University FASS Research Fund, 2012-2013]

Kirkham, Sam. in prep. Urban communities of practice. In: Beatrix Busse & Ingo H. Warnke (eds) Language in Urban Space. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

Kirkham, Sam & Emma Moore. in press. Adolescence. In: J.K. Chambers & Natalie Schilling (eds) The Handbook of Language Variation and Change. Second edition. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. [ pdf | bib ]

Kirkham, Sam. 2011. Personal style and epistemic stance in classroom discussion. Language and Literature 20(3): 201-217. [ doi | pdf | bib ]

Kirkham, Sam. 2011. The acoustics of coronal stops in British Asian English. Proceedings of the XVII International Congress of Phonetic Sciences 1102-1105. [ pdf | bib ]

I wrote some scripts for use with various software programs.

I play music quite a lot. I played drums for 3 years with Who Killed The Cranks? I now play (Hammond-esque) organ with Folk Ninjas, and drums/noises in an experimental metal duo. I also play guitar and tin whistle, but not that well.

I also enjoy mountain biking and exploring the wonderful Lancashire countryside.