Research cluster: Communication disability

About our research

Our research focuses on severe communication impairments.

This includes people who are either losing their speech or language skills, or those who have never been able to use speech, and require electronic assistance to supplement their speech attempts.

Our members include world-leading experts from disciplines including speech and language therapy, psychology and linguistics.

Many have worked as practitioners in the NHS or in independent practice and understand the implications of communication disability on the lives of those it affects and their families.

People with a communication disability are recognised nationally as hard to reach and difficult to involve in research.

Using translational research and real-life contexts, we lead on the inclusion of people with communication disability and their families as co-researchers in our activities.

Our research areas

We conduct applied research in a number of areas including:

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
atypical language learning
developmental and acquired communication disabilities
policy and service provision in the UK
people with communication disabilities in the UK and low and middle-income countries
school readiness
international speech and language therapy education
communication disability related to learning disabilities
dysphagia

Hear from our lead researcher

Professor Janice Murray explains the postgraduate research opportunities available within communication disability.

Our collaborations

We work with universities nationally and internationally, and with external partners from the NHS and social care.

Our third sector collaborators include:

Communication Matters
1Voice
The Stroke Association
Twinkleboost
The ACE Centre
Barnsley Assistive Technology Service/NHS Foundation Trust
The Seashell Trust

Our featured research

Identifying appropriate symbol communication

Influencing the consistency and quality of clinical decision-making in the supply of symbol communication aids.
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Refugees with communication disabilities

Understanding the need for accessible sexual and reproductive health and sexual and gender-based violence services.
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Street-connected children

Understanding the experiences, attitudes, beliefs and wishes of children with communication disabilities and their carers.
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Speech and Language Therapy

A collaboration with the University of Ghana to develop services for people with communication disabilities.
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Validation of the Mcast Communication Screening Tool

Improving patient access to communication support during mental capacity assessments.
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