Whilst for many, communication impairment in the form of a problem with speech, language or social interaction skills is a transient issue, for some it can be lifelong. Research in the field of communication impairment tends to focus on interventions which are typically delivered over a discrete short period of time. Less is known about the lifelong impact of living with communication impairment or about how those living with it can be supported.
The project
This funded 3-year, PhD studentship offers a unique opportunity for a bright and motivated individual to pursue an area of research within the broad field of lifelong communication impairment, with scope for the successful PhD candidate to develop their own research ideas. This studentship would appeal to applicants with an interest in communication impairments which arise from congenital conditions or in early childhood and have a lifelong impact. Examples include but are not limited to the fields of cleft palate, stammering and persistent speech disorder. The successful candidate may decide to focus on a specific condition or consider a research question which is relevant to all living with lifelong communication impairment. The specific research methods which will be used will depend on the focus of the PhD but could include: scoping or systematic literature reviews; epidemiological focused enquiries using existing datasets such as the Cleft Collective or ALSPAC resources; small group trials investigating response to interventions; qualitative studies exploring the nature of lifelong communication impairment for those who experience it; or other research methods. It is expected that patient-public involvement and engagement will feature in the plans and there will be a clear strategy for impact from the research and a route to achieving this.
The team
The PhD is funded by an award to Dr Yvonne Wren, Reader in Speech and Language Therapy at Cardiff Metropolitan University and Director of Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit (https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/bristol-speech-language-therapy-research-unit/bsltru-team/dr-yvonne-wren). Dr Wren will act as the primary supervisor with Dr Robert Mayr, Reader in Linguistics (https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/health/staff/Pages/Dr-Robert-Mayr.aspx ) and Dr Lucy Southby, clinical academic speech and language therapist (https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/bristol-speech-language-therapy-research-unit/bsltru-team/dr-lucy-southby ) as second and third supervisors.
This PhD position is based in an ambitious research group with an international profile in the field of speech and communication. The Speech, Hearing and Communication Research Group at Cardiff Metropolitan University (https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/sportandhealthsciences/researchandinnovation/populationriskandhealthcare/Pages/Speech,-Hearing-and-Communication.aspx ) has three themes: Bilingual speech development; Healthy and impaired hearing; and Clinical speech and language research. Recent investment from Sêr Cymru has provided state of the art instrumentation (Ultrasound Video Biofeedback; iCSpeech laryngograph and nasometry) for use in speech and voice analysis which could be available to the successful applicant. The team also led the consortium that was successful in the £1.5million tender process by Welsh Government to carry out research which will lead to the development and evaluation of a surveillance tool for early speech, language and communication development for children growing up in Wales.
The candidate
The successful candidate will have completed an undergraduate degree in speech and language therapy, psychology, education, linguistics or a similarly relevant field. They will have achieved a 2.1 degree classification and/or completed a Masters degree in a relevant topic. They will have strong oral and written communication skills and be able to work independently as well as in a team. They will have a good awareness of lifelong communication impairment and be motivated to work with stakeholders including the NHS and third sector organisations in co-design activities.
To apply, please send a Cover Letter, a CV and an outline of your planned proposal to [Email Address Removed] by 31st May 2023. Interviews will take place in June 2023 for an Autumn 2023 registration.
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