Curriculum Vitae
Research and Teaching Experience
Assistant Professor
University of Bern; Bern, Switzerland, 2010-Present
Teaching courses in historical-comparative Tibeto-Burman linguistics, conducting research in historical-comparative linguistics, undertaking linguistic fieldwork on undescribed and endangered Tibeto-Burman languages, conducting service to the students and the University of Bern.
Research Coordinator
Leiden University; Leiden, The Netherlands, 2002–2005
Research coordinator of the multidisciplinary research project Languages and Genes of the Greater Himalayan Region. Technical advisory on digitalisation and database construction issues for the Trans-Himalayan Database Programme. Undertaking linguistic fieldwork on Jero, a hitherto undescribed and endangered Tibeto-Burman language of eastern Nepal. Producing a scientific description of the grammar (phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax) of Jero, including native texts, a glossary and a reconstruction of Proto-Kiranti. Acting secretary during field work in Asia. Writing research proposals for the Himalayan Languages Project. Webmaster of the site of the Himalayan Languages Project.
Ph.D. Student
Leiden University; Leiden, The Netherlands, 1995–2000
Undertaking linguistic fieldwork on Wambule, a hitherto undescribed and endangered Tibeto-Burman language of eastern Nepal. Producing a comprehensive scientific description of the grammar (phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax) of Wambule, including a lexicon, native texts and a cultural survey. Constructing a relational database in FileMaker Pro with sentences, words and morphemes for automatic glossification and text analysis. Teaching Nepali en General Linguistics at Leiden University. Ph.D. since 6 June 2002 (with honours).
Industrial and Commercial Experience
Owner/Consultant
Opgenort Language & Learning; Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2010
Opgenort Language & Learning is a company that provides advice, design and implementation of e-learning solutions for businesses, such as multimedia courses and platforms, and services at the crossroads of language and information technology.
Project Manager/Consultant
ISM eCompany; Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2008–2010
Translating educational needs into project requirements. Determining possible e-learning solutions that meet the requirements of the project. Writing a project plan, including planning, budget and timeline. Project monitoring, including realising an e-learning solution according to the customer’s wishes and needs. Managing project team members. Managing communication within the team and in projects. Participating in tenders and customer presentations. Creating online training materials and courses. Teaching the use of e-learning tools. Certified ScrumMaster. Customers I worked with include Achmea, Albert Heijn, ANWB, Bouman GGZ, Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group, Corus, Fico, Foodstep, IPEP, Van 't Loo - van Eck, Marskramer, Stichting Rotterdamse Avondschool, Tele’Train and Tui Nederland.
Consultant
Effecta Learning; Woerden, The Netherlands, 2006–2008
Determining possible e-learning solutions that meet the requirements of the project. Realising an e-learning solution according to the customer’s wishes and needs. Managing communication in projects. Participating in customer presentations. Creating online training materials and courses. Creating the visual and functional design of the company’s website. Writing texts and producing other media for the company’s website. Customers I worked with include Exameninstituut SECC, Philipse Business School, and Trinicom (and its customers Achmea, Afas, Delta, Energie Direct, Equens, Kadaster, De Kindertelefoon, Salland, Tui Nederland and Turien & Co).
Project Manager
Acapela Group; Solna, Sweden, 2005–2006
Dutch language specialist for text-to-speech and speech recognition software to be used in Navteq in-vehicle navigation systems. Determining the rules for phonetic transcriptions. Project monitoring. Managing the international project team. Testing and validating Acapela’s speech synthesis software.
Other
Expert Consultant
Foundation for Endangered Langugaes; 2009–2010
Contributing to the process of amending, correcting and adding data to the online 3rd edition of the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger.
Regional Editor
UNESCO; Paris, France, 2008–2009
In the framework of UNESCO’s activities for safeguarding endangered languages, contributing to the 3rd revised and updated edition of the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, in the capacity of a Regional Editor for the region India and the Himalayan Chain. Verifying the scientific validity and cultural appropriateness of the data from the 2nd edition of the Atlas. Extending data entry beyond the languages listed in the second edition, validating and incorporating inputs from field linguists, as well as using personal networks and published sources. Composing the accompanying regional essay on the current status and recent developments in language endangerment within the region, and identifying trends both positive and negative in safeguarding languages.
Editor
International Council for Friends of Nepal; Warmond, The Netherlands, 2004–Present
Writing and editing journalistic articles for Samachar magazine. Deputy editor-in-chief in 2008.
Education
French Language and Literature, Free University; Amsterdam, The
Netherlands & Université Charles de Gaulle III; Lille, France,
1989–1993.
Pre-university Education (VWO), Bisschoppelijk College; Sittard,
The Netherlands, 1983–1989.
Skills
Languages
Dutch, English, French, German, Norwegian, Nepali, Wambule, Jero.
Operating Systems
Mac OS X, Windows XP.
Web & Scripting
HTML, PHP, MySQL, Drupal, Joomla, DotNetNuke, Sana Learning Portal, Enterprise Knowledge Platform.
Applications
Adobe Captivate, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Dreamweaver, Apple’s iWork, Camtasia Studio, EasyGenerator, FileMaker Pro, Final Cut Express, Keynote, Lectora, LiveType, Microsoft Office, OmniGraffe Professional, OmniOutliner Professional , OmniPlan Professional, Praat, Qarbon Viewlet Builder.