About Me – Crystal Akers

I am an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Linguistics Department at Rutgers University. I serve as the Online Coordinator and Advisor for Speech and Hearing in Linguistics.

I completed my Ph.D. in Linguistics at Rutgers in 2012. My dissertation investigated learning “hidden” structures in phonology. I was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Central Connecticut State University between 2012-2016 and in that time developed and taught several online courses for Rutgers as well. I joined Rutgers in my current role in 2016.

I became a linguist because I’ve been hooked on the puzzles of the human language capacity since taking semantics as an undergrad at Swarthmore College. I teach online because I believe in the internet’s potential for making great education more accessible for all.

: Akers CV 11.2021
: My family includes two young sons, my husband, and one pup.

I’m one of four kids, and my parents are both from double-digit families. If you can name it, I’ve probably got a cousin who’s done it.

I believe the best contemplation occurs outside on long walks with a best friend.

I grew up in Florida, and I make my family spend too much time at theme parks.