Janet Werker

Janet F. Werker, a distinguished researcher in developmental psychology, has made significant strides in understanding how infants acquire language. Based at the University of British Columbia's Infant Studies Centre, her pioneering research has established foundational insights into both monolingual and bilingual language acquisition, demonstrating that the journey of language learning begins even before birth and is profoundly influenced by experiences during the first year of life.

Werker's academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in psychology from Harvard University, followed by a PhD in psychology from the University of British Columbia, which she completed in nineteen eighty-two. Her expertise and contributions to the field have earned her prestigious titles, including Canada Research Chair and Killam Professor.

In recognition of her outstanding work, Werker received the SSHRC Gold Medal in two thousand fifteen and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada on December twenty-ninth, two thousand seventeen, honoring her internationally acclaimed contributions to the understanding of speech perception and language acquisition in infants.

Further accolades followed, including the William James Fellow Award from the Association for Psychological Science in two thousand nineteen and her election to the National Academy of Sciences in two thousand twenty. Janet Werker continues to be a leading figure in her field, shaping the future of developmental psychology.