Originally hailing from Toronto, Canada, Laura earned a BA(Hons) in Language and Linguistics and a B.Ed. (French and History/Social Sciences) at Queen’s University at Kingston. She continued her education at the University of Calgary, earning an MA in Historical Linguistics before studying at the University of Munich on a scholarship from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Office). Laura then completed a second MA in theoretical linguistics and a dual PhD in Germanic and Theoretical Linguistics at the University of Wisconsin—Madison where she was awarded the French-Felton Award for Inspirational Teaching.