RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in predictive language processing. Specifically, my research focuses predictive processing in non-native languages, the factors that impact the likelihood or possibility of these predictions (especially in relation to increased cognitive demand), and the implications of these effects on the representation and access of language in the brain.

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

2022 – December 2025 (expected)
Doctor of Natural Science, Psychology. Department of Cognitive Psychology
University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Germany

2018 – 2021
Master of Science in Cognitive Science
University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Germany

2010 – 2014
Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of South Carolina Upstate, USA>

ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT 

2022 – Present
Research Scientist, Department of Cognitive Psychology
University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Germany

2020 – 2025
Research assistant, Cognitive and Developmental Psychology
University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Germany

2019 – 2022
Research assistant, Psycholinguistics and Language Development
University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Germany

RECENT PUBLICATIONS 

Allison, C., Huettig, F., Fernandez, L., & Lachmann, T. (under review). Visuospatial Working Memory Load Reduces Semantic Prediction in the Visual World. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience.

Fernandez, L., Hadley, L., Gamboa, J., Allison, C., Allen, S. (under review). The impact of speech rate and proficiency on early and late stage prediction in L1 and L2 speakers. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

Allison, C., Huettig, F., Fernandez, L., Lachmann, T. Semantic predictions are not fully automatic in L2 speakers: Evidence from anticipatory eye movements. Poster at AMLaP 2024. Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Allison, C., Fernandez, L., Lachmann, T. Predictive Eye Looks in L2 English Speakers are Easily Disrupted by Cognitive Load. Poster at AMLaP 2023. San Sebastian, Spain.

Allison, C., Fernandez, L., Lachmann, T. L2 Linguistic Predictions are Limited by Domain General Cognitive Resources: an Eyetracking Study. Poster at TeAP 2023. Trier, Germany.

TEACHING AND SUPERVISION

Courses

• Lab rotation in eye-tracking (2024)
• Lab rotation in eye-tracking (2023)
• Lab rotation in eye-tracking in virtual reality (2023)

Master’s Theses

Gauditz, H., Beck, A., Allison, C. The effect of cognitive load on non-native language prediction: An EEG study investigating the N400 event-related potential.

Özceçelik, Ö., Beck, A., Allison, C. Every Brain is Unique, but is the Language Processing? The Impact of Cognitive Load on Predictive Processing During Language Comprehension: An EEG Study