Robert Leonard

Professor of Comparative Literature, Languages, and Linguistics Hofstra University

  • Hempstead NY

Professor of Comparative Literature, Languages, and Linguistics

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Hofstra University

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Biography

Dr. Robert Leonard (PhD, Columbia) is Professor of Linguistics and Director of the Hofstra Graduate Program in Linguistics: Forensic Linguistics; the innovative Forensic Linguistics Justice Project, a joint venture with Hofstra Law School; and the Institute for Forensic Linguistics, Threat Assessment and Strategic Analysis.

Leonard was recruited by the FBI’s BAU—the Behavioral Analysis Unit—to help train their agents in forensic linguistic techniques, work on cases, and advise on their Communicated Threat Assessment Database (CTAD). The British government recruited him in the run-up to the London Olympics. He was Apple’s linguist in their trademark suits against Amazon and Microsoft. Other clients include Facebook, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, and the Prime Minister of Canada.

Industry Expertise

Research
Education/Learning

Areas of Expertise

Woodstock music festival
Forensic Linguistics
Language and the Law
Linguistics and Threat Assessment
1960s rock n roll

Accomplishments

Director of Hofstra's MA in Forensic Linguistics

Launched in 2010, Hofstra's MA in Forensic Linguistics was the first program of its kind in the United States. The study of forensic linguistics – the examination of language and the law – is increasingly being used as a tool of legal professionals, law enforcement, and the intelligence community. The only other forensic linguistics programs are in the U.K. and Spain.

Education

Columbia University

Ph.D.

Linguistics

1982

Columbia University

M.A.

1973

Columbia University

M.Ph.

1973

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Affiliations

  • Leonard has been qualified as a Forensic Expert Witness in Linguistics and Language in a number of state and Federal courts. As a forensic linguist, Leonard has provided expert opinions to clients that include Apple, Inc., the Prime Minister of Canada, th

Languages

  • Swahili

Media Appearances

They Played on the Main Stage at Woodstock 50 Years Ago—No, Really

The Wall Street Journal  print

2019-08-15

August 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, and Dr. Rob Leonard, director of the Graduate Program in Linguistics: Forensic Linguistics, was there – not in the audience, but onstage performing as lead singer for the group Sha Na Na. In fact, it was Dr. Leonard’s rock n’ roll experience that eventually inspired him to enter the world of forensic linguistics: while reviewing the group’s contract, he realized they were not receiving all the money that was legally owed them!

The Wall Street Journal interviewed Dr. Leonard about his experience performing at Woodstock.

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Hofstra professor, former Sha Na Na member, talks Woodstock

Newsday  online

2019-08-08

Rob Leonard is director of the forensic linguistics program at Hofstra University. But he was also a member of the group Sha Na Na. On July 17, Leonard talked about performing at Woodstock, as the 50th anniversary of the landmark concert approaches.

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Did Vice President Mike Pence Pen NY Times Op-Ed?

Inside Edition  tv

2018-09-06

It’s the biggest secret since Watergate’s “Deep Throat.” Many are questioning who inside the White House wrote a scathing op-ed for the New York Times. The story ran Wednesday and was written by an anonymous individual who claims to be working for the president. “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration,” was the title of the story. There are tantalizing clues in the piece as to whom it might be.

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Event Appearances

Germanic Society for Forensic Linguistics

“How Do I Become a Forensic Linguist”  Online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gsfl-lecture-question-and-answer-session-with-robert-leonard-tickets-166152401305

2021-09-01

The Language Detective - http://www.mwany.org/2015/05/the-language-detective-comes-to-mwa-ny/

Mystery Writers of America (NY chapter) meeting  Salmagundi Club in Manhattan

2015-05-25

Sample Talks

Words on Trial: Forensic Linguistics in Criminal, Civil and Intelligence Investigations

2015 lectures at
University of Virginia
Columbia University
and Stony Brook University