Dr. Karamifar earned her PhD in text semantics and critical discourse analysis from the University of Paris Nanterre in France. With fluency in Persian, French, and English, she has taught at many institutions. Most recently, she served as a senior researcher at the University of Ottawa. There, Dr. Karamifar’s focus was on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and higher education.
Now a professor in the School of Liberal Arts, teaching primarily linguistics courses in the French as a Second Language program, Dr. Karamifar’s passion lies in advancing linguistic diversity in digital spaces and enhancing second-language education by leveraging emerging technology. How does a scholar with a specialization in linguistics end up immersed in the study of AI?
Dr. Karamifar says that though we often think of engineering, computer science, and technology when we think of AI, emerging technologies in AI are intrinsically connected to linguistics, critical discourse analysis and humanity.
“Linguistics and AI are deeply intertwined,” Dr. Karamifar explains. “The development of generative AI (like chatbots and translation tools), for instance, is built on linguistic theories—understanding how words function in sentences and broader contexts. As a critical discourse analyst, I find it fascinating to explore how generative AI as socio-technological tools shape our societies, everyday lives, communication and education.”
Dr. Karamifar recently co-organized the Colloquium on AI in Higher Education, at the intersection of stakeholders perspectives, a bilingual event supported by eCampusOntario and QuadC. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration in tackling the opportunities and challenges posed by AI. Two Laurentian graduate students—one in computer science developing assistive AI technology for visually impaired users, and another in biology exploring AI’s role in her own studies—showcased the university’s strength in interdisciplinary research.
“The students provided impressive talks as Masters students among PhD students and professional researchers,” says Dr. Karamifar. “This is testament to the ubiquity of AI utilization, indiscriminate of experience or discipline.” Her dual focus on the social and technical dimensions of AI mirrors her belief in the necessity of dialogue between humanities and sciences for a more equitable society.
Dr. Karamifar’s appointment aligns with Laurentian’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity. Her vision includes fostering cross-faculty collaboration to create research opportunities that explore the social, ethical, and technological impacts of AI. “AI is a transformative technology that connects disciplines,” she notes. “By bringing together diverse perspectives, we can find more comprehensive and impactful solutions.”
"Dr. Karamifar is a welcome addition to the Laurentian community,” says Dr. Malcolm Campbell, Provost & Vice-President, Academic. “Her interdisciplinary expertise and global perspective bring innovation and inclusivity to the forefront of academic inquiry. Dr. Karamifar’s expertise in linguistics paired with her interest in artificial intelligence bridges critical fields, fostering a deeper understanding of how language and technology intersect. We are eager to see her vision inspire students and promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the Laurentian community."
Dr. Karamifar has embraced Laurentian University’s commitment to bilingualism and innovation, seeing it as an ideal environment to further her research and inspire students. She looks forward to fostering connections that promote language diversity, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“I feel that Laurentian is a perfect fit for me,” she says. “The institutional values, particularly the commitment to bilingualism and plurculturalism, makes it a place where I feel proud to be and confident that I can bring my expertise in linguistics and emergent technologies to a diverse, dynamic academic environment.”