Finding a Common Ground: Reducing the Gap Between Linguistics and Genetics
An interdisciplinary BIP course, University of Turku (Finland)
In collaboration with University of Tartu (Estonia) and Uppsala University (Sweden)
Time and place
On-site: November 30–December 4, 2026, University of Turku, Finland
Preceded and followed by several online meetings: November 16–27, 2026; December 7–18, 2026
About the course
This course is aimed towards early-career researchers (MA students, PhD students, and Postdoctoral researchers) interested in interdisciplinary research within the fields of linguistics and genetics. The course covers a range of topics in both disciplines and beyond, attempting to reveal similarities between linguistics and genetics in terms of data, research questions, methods, and interpretations, and promotes multidisciplinary collaborations. The course includes lectures, interactive sessions, and group discussions. During the workshop, participants will have an opportunity to speak about their previous work in a special poster session, as well as establish or strengthen contacts with other participants and researchers in a networking event.
Important dates
Application deadline: September 7, 2026, 11.59 pm (Eastern European Summer Time)
Selection of the participants: September 14, 2026
Practical information
Language: English
Credits: 3 ECTS
Cost: The workshop is free of charge for all participants. Food and accommodation are not provided. Please contact your local university to explore travel funding options.
Application: Application opens on August 1, 2026. Fill in the form here
Note: The workshop will be held in person. The number of available spots is limited, and participants will be selected based on their application. The application should include a short motivation letter (max. 2000 characters) in English.
The organisers:
Tina Saupe, University of Turku (tina.saupe@utu.fi)
Tatiana Kachkovskaia, University of Turku (tatiana.kachkovskaia@utu.fi)
Miina Norvik, University of Tartu
Axel Palmér, Uppsala University
Please contact us with any questions: tina.saupe@utu.fi
Lecturers
Sampsa Holopainen, University of Helsinki (linguistics)
Tatiana Kachkovskaia, University of Turku (linguistics)
Jenna Kanerva, University of Turku (linguistics)
Tarmo Ketola, University of Turku (epidemiology),
Alena Kushniarevich, University of Tartu (genetics)
Thiseas Lamnidis, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (genetics)
Kerkko Nordqvist, University of Turku (archaeology)
Miina Norvik, University of Tartu (linguistics)
Lehti Saag, University of Tartu (genetics)
Elina Salmela, University of Turku (genetics)
Tina Saupe, University of Turku (genetics)
Outi Vesakoski, University of Turku (interdisciplinary)
Tentative schedule
The online component requires each participant to attend 4 seminar meetings, one at each week (4 in total). For each week, you may choose the time slot that best fits your schedule. The meetings will be held on Zoom.
(Please note that the the schedule uses Finnish time!)
Week 1, Nov 16-20, time slots: Monday 16/11 17-18.30, or Thursday 19/11 18-19.30 (Finnish time);
Week 2, Nov 23-27, time slots: Monday 23/11 17-18.30, or Thursday 26/11 18-19.30 (Finnish time);
Week 3: no online meetings (all meetings on-site)
Week 4, Dec 7-11, time slots: Monday 7/12 17-18.30, or Thursday 10/12 18-19.30 (Finnish time);
Week 5, Dec 14-18, time slots: Monday 14/11 17-18.30, or Thursday 17/12 18-19.30 (Finnish time).
Day 1 (9.00-17.00)
Key concepts in linguistics
Data in linguistics: Linguistic corpora and typological databases
Lunch break
Key concepts in genetics
Data in genetics: Human population genomics resources