Dr Suzi Willis

Senior Lecturer

My profile

Biography

Academic and professional qualifications

2016 Doctorate of Philosophy, Manchester Metropolitan University,UK

Thesis title: ‘A longitudinal study of the language and memory profiles of children with hearing impairment who exhibit language learning difficulties’

1991 M.A. In Speech-Language Pathology, The University of Akron, Ohio, USA

Expert reviewer

  • Reviewer for International Journal of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology
  • Reviewer for International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders

Consultancy and advisory roles

I provide specialist assessment and therapeutic input for children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing who are struggling to develop spoken language.  I model therapeutic techniques and develop programmes of support with their local speech and language therapist and teacher of the hearing-impaired.

I provide specialist assessments and educational reports for Educational Tribunals for primary and high school aged pupils who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Get in touch

0161 247 4639
3.35 Brooks Building

Teaching

Postgraduate teaching

I am Clinical Placements Co-ordinator for the MSc in Speech Therapy course.

I am also module leader for the Professional Competency in Speech and Language Therapy unit on the MSc in Speech Therapy course. I teach on this unit, as well as the Clinical Theory 2 and 3 units

Research outputs

My main areas of interest are:

  • Language learning difficulties is children and adolescents who are hearing aid or cochlear implant users
  • The verbal and visual memory abilities of children and adolescents who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
  • Early intervention with infants and toddlers who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
  • Language and memory assessments used with children and adolescents who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
  • Language competency and educational achievement in Deaf/Hard of Hearing students

  • Journal articles

    Willis, S., Goldbart, J., Stansfield, J. (2014) 'The strengths and weaknesses in verbal short-term memory and visual working memory in children with hearing impairment and additional language learning difficulties.' International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 78(7) pp. 1107-1114.