LTI

Applied linguistics research increasingly relies on digital methods, large-scale data, and computational tools. However, many researchers face barriers when it comes to accessing, using, and maintaining language technologies that are both reliable and tailored to their needs. To strengthen the institute’s role as a hub for innovative, data-driven language research, there is a growing need for a sustainable infrastructure that provides both technical resources and expert guidance.

The long-term project has three main aims:

1. Establish a robust language research infrastructure that ensures access to well-curated datasets, state-of-the-art tools, and standardized workflows for linguistic analysis.
2. Provide expertise, training, and support on language technologies, enabling researchers to use computational methods effectively and responsibly in their projects.
3. Advance research and policy development in research data management (RDM) and language research infrastructures, creating institute-wide frameworks and guidelines that promote good practices and compliance with international standards.
   
   Key activities include: 
   
   

Infrastructure Maintenance and Development

• Continuous maintenance and updating of the institute’s language research infrastructure.
• Enrichment and long-term maintenance of corpus resources hosted at the institute.
• Installation or adaptation of existing tools and development of custom solutions where needed
• Establishing long-term maintenance plans for resources and tools.

Documentation, Training, and Support

• Comprehensive documentation of infrastructures, services hosted by the institute, and commonly used tools in applied linguistics.
• Training workshops and tailored support for researchers on infrastructure use and digital methods.
• Consultation for individual and collaborative projects to identify suitable methods, tools and workflows.
• Workshops and training sessions on corpus methodologies, NLP tools, and best practices in digital research.
• Building internal expertise and communities of practice among researchers.

Research Data Management (RDM) and Sustainable language research infrastructures

• Guidance on compiling project-specific data management plans.
• Guidance on legal and ethical aspects of data use (e.g., copyright, GDPR) including support with privacy and rights management, e.g. the design of informed consent forms.
• Tools and workflows for sustainable and efficient data collection and digitisation.
• Methods for systematic data cleaning, conversion, and quality control.
• Secure data storage and archiving through provision of storage and backup solutions, acting as an interface with the Eurac Research ICT department.
• Provision of tools and methods for both quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Documentation and support for data sharing in line with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
• Development of institute-wide policies and guidelines on RDM, data sharing, licensing, and tool use.
• Research on best practices in reproducibility and sustainable language infrastructures.
• Contribution to broader academic and policy debates on digital language research.