7th Forensic Linguistics Short Course (FLsc)

Host Institution: Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
Coordinating Institution: Association for Diversity in Linguistics (div-ling e.V.)
Website: https://div-ling.org/en/events/forensic-linguistics-short-course-en/

Dates: 17-Mar-2026 - 20-Mar-2026
Location: Düsseldorf, Germany

Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's degree (see description)

Focus: Latest developments in forensic linguistics, disputed meanings and their role in legal cases, theories of idiolect and approaches to authorship analysis, stylistic and manual methods, computationally-assisted authorship analysis, and case analysis presentations in which participants apply methods to real-world material

Description:

The 7th Forensic Linguistics Short Course will take place in person at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany. Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, offers a vibrant mix of historic architecture, a rich cultural scene, and one of Europe’s largest Japan towns – the perfect backdrop for an international spring school.

As in previous years, we invite students, graduate students, postdocs, and senior researchers from Linguistics and its subfields, Phonetics and Phonology, Law/Legal Studies, and related disciplines to apply. Applicants should have more than a basic background in linguistics. Ideally, participants will have either completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject or attended a previous edition of the FLsc. The course is taught in English.

For the first time, the FLsc will run as a spring school. This rebranding reflects both the new timing and a stronger emphasis on digital methods in forensic linguistics, alongside the hands-on, case-based approach that has always characterised the course. The 2026 programme will cover a range of topics, including the latest developments in forensic linguistics, disputed meanings and their role in legal cases, theories of idiolect and approaches to authorship analysis, stylistic and manual methods, computationally-assisted authorship analysis, and case analysis presentations in which participants apply methods to real-world material.

Tuition: 450 EUR
Tuition Explanation: The FLsc operates on a strict non-profit basis. Participation fees are used to cover costs such as lecturers, catering, excursions, and the digital tools required for online formats. Any surplus is reinvested in maintaining the website and supporting other events of the association.

Linguistic Field(s): Forensic Linguistics

Subject Language(s): English (eng)

Registration: 13-Sep-2025 to 13-Dec-2025

Apply on the web: https://div-ling.org/en/events/forensic-linguistics-short-course-en/application/

Registration Instructions:
Please use the application form provided on the FLsc website to apply.