Personal profile
Research Interests
My research focuses on the application of stance analysis, and particularly the Appraisal framework, in forensic contexts. I am interested in what stance-taking patterns can tell us about those who produce them and how this knowledge can help improve risk assessment and intelligence analysis approaches. My current research interests include commitment, group dynamics, and risk in white nationalist and child sexual exploitation and abuse fora.
Employment
Postdoctoral Researcher, Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics
2023-Present
Associate Deputy Director, Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics
2025-Present
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Violent ideologies: An investigation of the relationship between linguistic evaluative patterns and psychopathology in three types of violent offender, Aston University
Oct 2019 → Sept 2022
Award Date: 8 Jun 2023
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MA, Stance-taking by a serial bomber: A corpus and appraisal analysis of the writings of the Unabomber, Hofstra University
Sept 2017 → May 2019
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BA, Linguistics and Psychology, Brandeis University
Sept 2013 → May 2017
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(Semi-)automating appraisal annotation: Using corpus and computational methods to develop a scalable approach to stance analysis in deviant online communities
Hunter, M., MacLeod, N., Morton, R. & Weber, P., 2025, (Unpublished).Research output: Unpublished contribution to conference › Unpublished Conference Paper › peer-review
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Ideologies of a serial bomber: A longitudinal linguistic appraisal analysis of the writings of the Unabomber
Hunter, M., 5 Nov 2025, In: Language and Law / Linguagem e Direito. 11, 2, 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Increasing speed without sacrificing quality: A step toward (semi-)automating the annotation of Appraisal
Hunter, M., MacLeod, N., Morton, R. & Weber, P., 1 Jul 2025, (Unpublished).Research output: Unpublished contribution to conference › Unpublished Conference Paper › peer-review
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Is Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) reliable, efficient, and effective for the analysis of large online datasets in forensic and security contexts?
Hunter, M. & Grant, T., Apr 2025, In: Applied Corpus Linguistics. 5, 1, 9 p., 100118.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile9 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)87 Downloads (Pure) -
Appraisal for intelligence analysis: A critical comparative study of the utility of Appraisal versus LIWC for forensic text analysis
Hunter, M. & Grant, T., 27 Jun 2024, (Unpublished).Research output: Unpublished contribution to conference › Unpublished Conference Paper › peer-review
Thesis
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Violent Ideologies: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Linguistic Evaluative Patterns and Psychopathology in Three Types of Violent Offender
Hunter, M. (Author), Grant, T. (Supervisor), Sept 2022Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy
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