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Colloquium with Guest Speaker, Dr. Kara Morgan-Short (Ph.D., Georgetown University) is Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and Interim Head of the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies 

PLEASE JOIN US! 

ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University's Department of Psychological Sciences to host colloquium on

Monday, February 23, 2026 @ 9:30-10:30 AM 
102 Kent Hall Annex 

Context and Cognition: Accounting for Neurocognitive Variability in Adult Language Learning 

Kara Morgan-Short (Ph.D., Georgetown University) is Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and Interim Head of the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies. She also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Psychology. Kara directs the Cognition of Second Language Acquisition Laboratory and investigates the linguistic and cognitive processes underlying adult language learning using behavioral and electrophysiological approaches. Further, her research explores how these processes are moderated by individual differences in memory and by learning context. Results of her work have been published in such journals as Language Learning, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, and Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. Kara has previously served as Associate Editor for Language Learning and currently serves as the co-editor of Language Learning’s Cognitive Neuroscience Series and on various editorial boards. Kara’s work with students has earned her awards for teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. 

Learning a language as an adult poses a complex learning challenge. Yet, neurocognitive research demonstrates the potential of adults to successfully learn and process second and additional languages (L2/As), although variability among learners is also extensive. This talk first provides an overview of the neurocognition of L2/A processing as informed by event-related potentials, which reflect brain-based electrical activity associated with processing. Then, the talk examines a number of event-related potential studies that examine factors that are posited to account for variability in L2/A neurocognitive processing, including learning context (e.g., classroom, study abroad) and cognitive individual differences (e.g., working memory, declarative memory, and procedural memory). Finally, the talk synthesizes our current understanding of the factors that lead to successful L2/A learning and neurocognitive processing, highlights open questions regarding variability, and recommends an interdisciplinary research approach that may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the complexity of language learning in adulthood. 

The Ohio Psychological Association has approved the Department of Psychology, ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University as a provider of continuing education for Psychologists. 1.0 credit hours for Psychologists is awarded by the Ohio Psychological Association, Approval #00PO-316402079