Ina Bornkessel-Schlesewsky is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Head of the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory within the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE).
Ina joined UniSA in 2014 from the University of Marburg, Germany. Prior to her appointment as Professor of Neurolinguistics in Marburg, she headed the Max Planck Research Group "Neurotypology" at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany.
Ina is passionate about understanding how the human brain processes language – an interest that she first developed due to her bilingual upbringing, after having moved to Australia from Germany at the age of 7. She has championed the perspective that,... Read more
About me
Ina Bornkessel-Schlesewsky is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Head of the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory within the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE).
Ina joined UniSA in 2014 from the University of Marburg, Germany. Prior to her appointment as Professor of Neurolinguistics in Marburg, she headed the Max Planck Research Group "Neurotypology" at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany.
Ina is passionate about understanding how the human brain processes language – an interest that she first developed due to her bilingual upbringing, after having moved to Australia from Germany at the age of 7. She has championed the perspective that, in order to truly understand how the human brain processes language, we need to take into account the full diversity of the world's 7000 languages. Her research is further inspired by the recognition that language – like all human cognitive abilities – is deeply rooted in neurobiology and basic mechanisms of information processing in the brain.
With a prolific research program reflected in over 90 publications in refereed international journals, over 20 book chapters and 4 monographs / edited volumes, Ina has secured more than AU$4 million in competitive grant funding. Her research has been honoured with a number of prizes, including the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (awarded by the German Research Foundation and German Federal Ministry of Education and Research), the most prestigious scientific prize for young researchers in Germany.
About me
Australian Linguistic Society, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Association for Linguistic Typology, German Linguistics Association, Society for the Neurobiology of Language (elected officer of the society from 2015-2017), Society for Neuroscience,
About me
Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics The University of Potsdam
Master of Arts in Linguistics The University of Potsdam
My research focuses on the neurobiology of language, the way in which language is implemented by the brain. Specifically, I am developing a model of language processing (eADM) that aspires towards neurobiological plausibility. The eADM is singular in that it draws upon neurobiological design principles gleaned from animal models as well as on functional insights from cross-linguistic comparisons: with approximately 7000 living languages but only one human brain to process them, generalisations in the midst of this diversity presumably reflect underlying organisational principles that can inform neurobiological models. I conduct research using electroencepahlography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), transcranial magnetic... Read more
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
How free is free?: word order in Australian Indigenous languages, ARC - Discovery Projects, 01/01/2021 - 31/03/2025
Illuminating the neural basis of Mindchamps Music using electroencephalography (EEG), MindChamps Early Learning Australia Pty Ltd, 01/08/2023 - 31/12/2024
Using language to predict cognitive outcomes in old age, ARC - Future Fellowship, 01/01/2017 - 31/12/2021
HPRnet - Enhancing human performance in complex environments, Defence Science and Technology Group, 23/03/2017 - 23/05/2021
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2015 |
Open access
83
72
134
|
| 2015 |
Open access
153
135
11
|
| 2015 |
53
50
5
|
| 2013 |
Open access
200
189
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
|
| 2016 |
|
| 2015 |
|
| 2015 |
15
|
| 2015 |
15
|
| 2014 |
|
| 2014 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2012 |
11
|
| 2012 |
17
17
|
| 2010 |
|
| 2009 |
2
|
| 2008 |
8
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
|
| 2024 |
Open access
2
2
4
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
1
2
|
| 2024 |
Open access
10
9
9
|
| 2024 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
|
| 2023 |
Open access
7
7
6
|
| 2023 |
Open access
2
|
| 2023 |
Open access
15
15
1
|
| 2023 |
Open access
3
2
|
| 2023 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2022 |
Open access
14
14
3
|
| 2022 |
Open access
5
5
2
|
| 2022 |
Open access
21
1
|
| 2022 |
Open access
12
10
9
|
| 2022 |
Open access
8
8
1
|
| 2021 |
Open access
3
2
5
|
| 2021 |
25
23
3
|
| 2021 |
Open access
21
18
10
|
| 2021 |
Open access
21
19
|
| 2020 |
Open access
10
7
8
|
| 2020 |
Open access
16
15
14
|
| 2020 |
Open access
13
12
12
|
| 2020 |
Open access
5
4
8
|
| 2019 |
Open access
122
110
13
|
| 2019 |
17
16
2
|
| 2019 |
Open access
18
15
2
|
| 2018 |
Open access
129
121
28
|
| 2018 |
Open access
21
20
37
|
| 2018 |
Open access
44
37
|
| 2018 |
Open access
25
24
|
| 2017 |
Open access
45
44
5
|
| 2017 |
4
4
2
|
| 2017 |
8
7
2
|
| 2016 |
Open access
17
14
|
| 2016 |
Open access
21
21
1
|
| 2016 |
Open access
20
18
5
|
| 2016 |
Open access
7
6
1
|
| 2015 |
Open access
6
|
| 2015 |
Open access
83
72
134
|
| 2015 |
Open access
16
15
1
|
| 2015 |
Open access
153
135
11
|
| 2015 |
Open access
13
12
2
|
| 2015 |
Open access
23
22
1
|
| 2015 |
14
14
|
| 2015 |
53
50
5
|
| 2014 |
Open access
25
21
|
| 2014 |
Open access
8
5
|
| 2014 |
Open access
147
137
|
| 2014 |
Open access
15
13
|
| 2013 |
Open access
200
189
|
| 2013 |
Open access
13
13
|
| 2013 |
46
43
|
| 2013 |
Open access
101
72
|
| 2013 |
10
10
|
| 2012 |
Open access
|
| 2012 |
19
19
|
| 2011 |
107
96
|
| 2011 |
40
40
|
| 2011 |
20
19
|
| 2010 |
Open access
61
60
|
| 2009 |
184
139
|
| 2009 |
52
|
| 2009 |
47
46
|
| 2009 |
67
|
| 2009 |
19
16
|
| 2009 |
57
|
| 2008 |
22
|
| 2008 |
64
58
|
| 2008 |
70
65
|
| 2008 |
58
|
| 2008 |
98
96
|
| 2008 |
294
278
|
| 2008 |
80
81
|
Research
My research focuses on the neurobiology of language, the way in which language is implemented by the brain. Specifically, I am developing a model of language processing (eADM) that aspires towards neurobiological plausibility. The eADM is singular in that it draws upon neurobiological design principles gleaned from animal models as well as on functional insights from cross-linguistic comparisons: with approximately 7000 living languages but only one human brain to process them, generalisations in the midst of this diversity presumably reflect underlying organisational principles that can inform neurobiological models. I conduct research using electroencepahlography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and behavioural techniques (e.g. eye-tracking).,To find out more about my research and further research in Cognitive Neuroscience at UniSA, please also visit the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory website.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Beacon Biosignals | UNITED STATES |
| California Institute of Technology | UNITED STATES |
| Carnegie Mellon University | UNITED STATES |
| Columbia University | UNITED STATES |
| Defence Science and Technology Group | AUSTRALIA |
| Department of Defence | AUSTRALIA |
| Free University of Bozen-Bolzano | ITALY |
| Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | GERMANY |
| Georgetown University | UNITED STATES |
| Georgetown University Medical Center | UNITED STATES |
| Goethe University Frankfurt | GERMANY |
| Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
| Harvard University | UNITED STATES |
| Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Indian Institute of Technology Ropar | INDIA |
| Italian Institute of Technology | ITALY |
| Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz | GERMANY |
| Karolinska Institute | SWEDEN |
| Marmara University | TURKEY |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | UNITED STATES |
| Max Planck Institute | GERMANY |
| Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics | GERMANY |
| Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences | GERMANY |
| Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics | NETHERLANDS |
| Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
| Northwestern University | UNITED STATES |
| Ozyegin University | TURKEY |
| Purdue University | UNITED STATES |
| Queen's University Belfast | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Shaanxi Normal University | CHINA |
| Southeast University | CHINA |
| Technical University of Denmark | DENMARK |
| Third Military Medical University | CHINA |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Allahabad | INDIA |
| University of California | UNITED STATES |
| University of California, Berkeley | UNITED STATES |
| University of Cologne | GERMANY |
| University of Edinburgh | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Geneva | SWITZERLAND |
| University of Glasgow | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Gottingen | GERMANY |
| University of Hannover | GERMANY |
| University of Kiel | GERMANY |
| University of Lubeck | GERMANY |
| University of Maastricht | NETHERLANDS |
| University of Marburg | GERMANY |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | UNITED STATES |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Miami | UNITED STATES |
| University of Michigan | UNITED STATES |
| University of Oslo | NORWAY |
| University of Potsdam | GERMANY |
| University of Salzburg | AUSTRIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Southern California | UNITED STATES |
| University of Texas at Dallas | UNITED STATES |
| University of the Basque Country | SPAIN |
| University of Tubingen | GERMANY |
| University of York | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Zurich | SWITZERLAND |
| Western Sydney University | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Editorial Advisory BoardVienna Studies in Linguistics (Vienna University Press) |
2019 |
Editorial Advisory BoardLanguage and Cognitive Processes |
2019 |
Editorial Board MemberBiolinguistics |
2019 |
MemberAssociation for Linguistic Typology |
2019 |
MemberGerman Linguistics Society |
2019 |
MemberSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2019 |
MemberAustralian Linguistic Society |
2019 |
MemberEuropean Science Foundation College of Expert Reviewers |
2019 |
MemberSociety for Neuroscience |
2019 |
MemberAustralasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) |
2019 |
Reviewing EditorBrain and Language |
2019 |
Distinguished lectureMonash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne |
2018 |
Editorial Advisory BoardVienna Studies in Linguistics (Vienna University Press) |
2018 |
Editorial Advisory BoardLanguage and Cognitive Processes |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberBiolinguistics |
2018 |
Keynote lectureAnnual Meeting of the Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Melbourne |
2018 |
MemberAssociation for Linguistic Typology |
2018 |
MemberSociety for Neuroscience |
2018 |
MemberSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2018 |
MemberAustralian Linguistic Society |
2018 |
MemberGerman Linguistics Society |
2018 |
MemberAustralasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) |
2018 |
MemberEuropean Science Foundation College of Expert Reviewers |
2018 |
Reviewing EditorBrain and Language |
2018 |
Elected OfficerSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2017 |
Keynote lectureExperimental Approaches to Arabic and other understudied Languages (EXAL+), NYU Abu Dhabi |
2017 |
MemberEuropean Science Foundation College of Expert Reviewers |
2017 |
MemberSociety for Neuroscience |
2017 |
MemberAustralasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) |
2017 |
MemberGerman Linguistics Association |
2017 |
MemberAssociation for Linguistic Typology |
2017 |
Member of the Board of DirectorsSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2017 |
Elected OfficerSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2016 |
MemberEuropean Science Foundation College of Expert Reviewers |
2016 |
TreasurerSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2016 |
Elected OfficerSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2015 |
Member of the Board of DirectorsSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2015 |
Keynote lecture8th Annual Meeting of the Swiss Linguistic Society, University of Zurich, Switzerland |
2014 |
Member of the Board of DirectorsSociety for the Neurobiology of Language |
2014 |
Keynote lectureAnnual Meeting of the German Linguistics Society, Germany |
2013 |
Reviewer pool memberVienna Science and Technology Fund |
2013 |
Mentor (mentoring programme for women in science)Minerva FemmeNet, Max Planck Society |
2012 |
Reviewer pool memberEuropean Science Foundation |
2012 |
Steering committee memberThe Human Brain: From Cells to Society strategic meeting, European Science Foundation |
2012 |
Keynote lecture23rd North American Conference on Chinese Linguistics, Eugene, USA |
2011 |
Keynote lecture12th International Conference on Parsing Technologies, Dublin, Ireland |
2011 |
Mentor (mentoring programme for women in science)Minerva FemmeNet, Max Planck Society |
2011 |
Reviewer pool memberEuropean Science Foundation |
2011 |
Reviewer pool memberVienna Science and Technology Fund |
2011 |
Keynote lecture23rd Annual Meeting of the CUNY Conference on Human Sentence Processing, New York University, New York City |
2010 |
Mentor (mentoring programme for women in science)Minerva FemmeNet, Max Planck Society |
2010 |
Review Panel Member, Eurocores programme EuroUnderstandingEuropean Science Foundation |
2010 |
Reviewer pool memberEuropean Science Foundation |
2010 |
Keynote lectureAustrian Linguistics Conference, University of Salzburg, Austria |
2009 |
Mentor (mentoring programme for women in science)Minerva FemmeNet, Max Planck Society |
2009 |
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Comparing Prediction Error Types and the Neurophysical Mechanisms in Modulating Memory Consolidation. | Current |
| Establishing trust in autonomous systems a neurocognitive investigation into the role of human factors | Current |
| Functional unexpectedness: exploring the relationship between intermediary levels of unexpectedness and depth of comprehension in language processing | Current |
| The influence of virtual realism on cognitive and neurocognitive aspects of design thinking | Current |
| The neural correlates of memory updating | Current |
| Towards a neurobiology of cardinal categories: an investigation of brain-mechanisms underlying language comprehension | Current |
| Cognitive flexibility and persistent pain | Completed |
| Contextual effects on cue strength during sentence processing: electrophysiological and functional neuroanatomical evidence | Completed |
| From stillness to action: meditation-based enhancement of cognitive control processes underlying motor sequence learning | Completed |
| Neurobiology of language learning and sleep-associated memory consolidation | Completed |
| Neurophysiology of cognition and human performance: an investigation of EEG dynamics and mindfulness-based cognitive training in complex settings | Completed |
| On the same page and wavelength? Investigating neural correlates of shared mental model development and performance in virtual teams | Completed |
| Past, present and prediction: understanding the neural basis of prediction and its effect on memory processing | Completed |
| Spatial augmented reality predictive cues for improving task performance and reducing mental effort | Completed |
| The relationship between sleep and emotional memory across the lifespan | Completed |
