Mrs Stephanie Ticehurst, PGDip, BSc, Cert MRCSLT, EMCC

Clinical Lead BSLTRU,

Professional Head Adult & Acute Speech and Language Therapy Services,

Visiting Research Fellow Sheffield Hallam

I am the Professional Head of the Speech and Language Therapy Service North Bristol NHS Trust, Clinical Lead at the Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit and a Visiting Research Fellow with the Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Sheffield Hallam University. I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist at University College, London and have coaching qualifications as a performance and a health coach. I have over 30 years’ clinical experience working with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties resulting from acquired neurological conditions and specialised in communication and swallowing difficulties related to stroke, progressive neurological conditions and traumatic brain injuries. Professionally I represented the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for the Department of Health’s Stroke Strategy and Stroke Programme Board and was part of the expert panel of  the Royal College of Physicians Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party. I am now developing my own research programme in language impairment in Parkinson’s disease and the use of health coaching in an acute setting. I bring to research my experience as a clinician, manager and coach. My interests are in making clinical services effective, cost efficient and responsive to the goals of the person with communication and or swallowing difficulties.

Selected publications

• August 2006 Workforce Planning – piloting a Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Workforce Planning Project
• August 2002 Dean J, Ticehurst S. Absolutely Basic. Planning a speech and language therapy service for disabled adults (16-64 years) with a primarily physical impairment. Bristol: DART,
• Hadar, Uri; Ticehurst, Stephanie; Wade, John P. Crossed anomic aphasia: Mild naming deficits following right brain damage in a dextral patient. Cortex Vol 27(3), Sep 1991, 459-468

Researchgate profile https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stephanie_Ticehurst

Professor Sue Roulstone, PhD, Med, DipCST, FRCSLT, DH

Emeritus Professor

Sue is Emeritus Professor at the University of the West of England, Bristol. She has been a member of the Bristol Speech & Language Therapy Research Unit since 1992 and was a Director here for fourteen years. Sue has worked as a speech and language therapist, a manager, a researcher and an educator and was Chair of the UK Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists from 2004-2006. She has carried out a number of service evaluations and consultations with parents, children and young people. She was a core member of the UK national research programme, the Better Communication Research Programme. This was commissioned by the UK government following the Bercow Review of Services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. From 2010-13, she led a large research programme funded by the National Institute of Health Research (Child Talk) to develop an evidence-based framework of interventions for preschool children which included the views of parents and experiences of children.

Current research

Sue’s research interests focus on preschool children with developmental speech and language disorders and include child and family perspectives, adult-child interaction therapies, professional judgement and evaluation of speech and language therapy.

Selected publications:

• Holme, C.,  Harding, S., Roulstone, S., Lucas, P.J.  & Wren, Y. (2022) Mapping the literature on parent-child language across activity contexts: a scoping review, International Journal of Early Years Education, 30:1, 6-24, DOI: 10.1080/09669760.2021.2002135 
• McKean C, Watson R, Charlton J, Roulstone S, Holme C, Gilroy V, Law J. 2022 'Making the most of together time': development of a Health Visitor-led intervention to support children's early language and communication development at the 2-2½-year-old review. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2022 Feb 8;8(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s40814-022-00978-5. PMID: 35135632; PMCID: PMC8822642. 
• Wren, Y., Pagnamenta, E., Orchard, F., Peters, T.J., Emond, A., Northstone, K., Miller, L.L. & Roulstone, S. 2023 Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties associated with persistent speech disorder in children: A prospective population study. JCPP Advances. JCPP Advances. 2023;3:e12126.. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.12126 (Nominated and shortlisted for Award)
• Hesketh, E., White, P. Simkiss, D., & Roulstone, S. (2023) Outcomes from a community speech and language therapy service treatment waiting list: The natural history of 527 children with identified speech and language needs. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders. 58:1510-1525 
• Nicoll, A., Roulstone, S., Williams, B. & Maxwell. M. 2024 Understanding capacity for implementing new interventions: a qualitative study of speech and language therapy services for children with speech sound disorder. Int J Lang & Comm Dis. 59(3), 1002-1017. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12979. 
• Gibbard, D., Roulstone, S., Kandala Shadrack, N.II., Morgan, L., Harding, S., Smith, C. et al. (2024) A randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of parent-based models of language intervention for 2- to 3-year-old children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in areas of social disadvantage. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.13016.

Researchgate profile

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sue_Roulstone

Research Fellow

I am a Health Psychologist with qualifications in research methods, medical education, implementation science and leadership.  Over the last twenty years I have conducted research with, and on behalf of the NHS, charities, and commercial research organisations.  I currently work 4 days a week in Research and Innovation (R&I).  I have my own research portfolio, but a major part of my remit is to work with anyone who wants to dip their toe into the world of research, develop their research skills further, or embrace research as a new area of their professional skill set.  The other day in the week I work with the Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit, where I help support the development and delivery of speech and language therapy focused research. 

I’ve had the great fortune to work in primary and secondary health care settings and to have experience across diverse fields including; breast cancer, chronic respiratory disease, hyperbaric medicine, maxillofacial cancer, speech and language therapy and stroke.  I have generally focused on the impact of disease and treatment on the biological, psychological and social aspects of patients outcomes.  But at my core I am a methodologist and like nothing better than finding out about peoples research questions and finding a research method(ology) that enables them to find the answers within the restrictions of the hospital context.

I also have the great fortune to lead the SNAHPer (Scientist, Nurses and allied health professional early researchers) group, where we can support each other to develop into the researchers we want to be.  As well as developing a programme of work (tutorials) to facilitate all staff across the trust to gain and subsequently use research skills to improve our services and patients treatment.  I am also a CAHPR Connector working with multiple universities and hospitals to support AHP developed and lead research, and a member of CARIN (Healthcare Professionals Clinical Academic Roles and Career Pathways Implementation Network).

Current research with BSLTRU

• Parental understanding of speech and language impairment in their preschool children
• Positive psychological change

Selected publications

• Jensen de Lopez KM, Feilberg J, Baena S, Lyons R, Harding S, et al (2021) “So, I told him to look for friends!” Barriers and protecting factors that may facilitate inclusion for children with Language Disorder in everyday social settings: Cross-cultural qualitative interviews with parents. Research in Developmental Disabilities. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103963
• Jensen de Lopez KM, Lyons R, Novogrodsky R, Baena S, Feilberg J, Harding S, et al (2021) Exploring Parental Perspectives of Childhood Speech and Language Disorders Across 10 Countries: A Pilot Qualitative Study. JSLHR. Doi: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00415
• Williams C, Harding S, Wren Y. An Exploratory Study of Speech and Language Therapy Intervention for Children Born With Cleft Palate ± Lip. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. 2020;1-15. Doi.org/10.1177/1055665620954734
• Coad J, Harding S, Hambly H, et al. Perspectives of preschool children in England with speech and language needs in the development of evidence-based activities. Child Care Health Dev. 2020;1–11. doi.org/ 10.1111/cch.12746
• Morgan, L., Marshall, J., Harding, S. et al 2019. 'It depends': Characterizing speech and language therapy for preschool children with developmental speech and language disorders. Int J Lang Commun Disord. Doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12498
• Klatte, I.S., Harding, S. & Roulstone, S. 2019. Speech and language therapists' views on parents' engagement in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Int J Lang Commun Disord. 
• Harding, S. 2018. The trajectory of positive psychological change in a head and neck cancer population. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 47(5):578-584.
• Harding, S. & Moss, T.P. 2018. The impact of treatment for head and neck cancer on positive psychological change within a year of completing treatment. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 47(3):302-308. 
• Wren, Y., Harding, S., Goldbart, J. and Roulstone, S. 2018. A systematic review and classification of interventions for speech sound disorder in preschool children. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders.
• Roulstone, S., Harding, S. & Morgan, L., 2016. Exploring the involvement of children and young people with speech, language and communication needs and their families in decision making - a research project, London: The Communication Trust. 
• Marshall, J., Harding, S. & Roulstone, S., 2016. Language development, delay and intervention-the views of parents from communities that speech and language therapy managers in England consider to be under-served. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 
• Blackwell, A.K.M. et al., 2015. Characteristics of Parent–Child Interactions. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 36(2). 

Linked profiles of academic outputs

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5870-2094

www.researchgate.net/profile/Sam_Harding

https://publons.com/author/1478640/ 

Web of Science ResearcherID: J-2952-2019

Affiliations

Bristol Medical School - Paediatrics and child health

Collaboration for Communication

King's College London - Dental School

Ms Sophie Cottrell, BA, MSC, MRCSLT

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from City University in 1998 and since that time I have worked with adults with acquired neurological disorders in a variety of settings. My primary interest is in the area of aphasia and I have recently been fortunate to receive funding for a project looking at the use of mindfulness and other cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and their impact on people with aphasia.
I have also carried out research into information-giving for people with aphasia on stroke wards, which culminated in the publication of ‘Stroke Talk’, an aphasia-friendly resource for people in hospital following stroke.

Current Research

Systematic review: Are mindfulness and other CBT techniques effective in improving communication in people with acquired, non-progressive aphasia?

Researchgate profile

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sophie_Cottrell

Dr Rebecca Coad, BSc, MSc, PhD

BSLTRU Director of Operations

I have worked at Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit since 2011, more recently as Director of Operations. In addition to this role I also work as the Research Development Manager within the Research & Innovation office at North Bristol NHS Trust and have an Honorary Lecturer position at the University of Bristol.
My background is in developmental biology and cell therapy, working as a Research Associate at the University of Minnesota USA, before making the move from academia to research management in 2009. My expertise lies in the development, set-up and management of research within the NHS; particularly contract and financial management, obtaining regulatory approvals, delivering complex programmes of research both within acute and primary care settings, people management and strategic planning. My interests lie in maximising the impact of research and ‘adding value.’ I have a particular interest in public patient involvement, specifically how to make it ‘meaningful’ and developing methods for capturing the value/impact.

Selected publications

• Harding, S.A. Coad, R.A. (2016). Supporting and informing speech and language therapy services using the RCSLT Online Outcome Tool (ROOT) for measuring outcomes: Proof of Concept Study. Independent Evaluation for the RCSLT
• Harding, S.A. Coad, R.A. (2016). The RCSLT Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Outcome Project – An Independent Evaluation for the RCSLT
• Roulstone, S.E., Marshall, J.E., Powell, G.G., Goldbart, J., Wren, Y., Coad, J., Daykin, N., Powell, J., Lascelles, L., Hollingworth, W., Emond, A., Peters., T.J., Pollock, J., Fernandes, C., Moultrie, J., Harding, S.A., Morgan, L., Hambly, H., Parker, N.K, Coad, R.A. (2015). Evidence based intervention for preschool children with primary speech and language impairment – An exploratory mixed methods study. Programme Grants Applied Research 2015;3(5)
• Coad, R. A., Dutton, J. R., Tosh, D., Slack, J. M. W. (2009). Inhibition of Hes1 activity in gall bladder epithelial cells promotes insulin expression and glucose responsiveness. Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 87(6) 975-987 (IF 2.673)
• Coad, R. A., Woodman, A. C., Warner, P. J., Wright, N. A., Barr, H., Shepherd, N. A. (2005). On the histogenesis of Barrett’s oesophagus and its associated squamous islands: a three dimensional study of their morphological relationship with native oesophageal gland ducts. Journal of Pathology. 206 388-394. (IF 6.318)
• Coad, R.A., Woodman A, C., Warner P. J., Barr H., Shepherd N. A. (2004). On the genesis of Barrett's oesophagus: A three dimensional study of the relationship between oesophageal gland ducts, Barrett's oesophagus and associated squamous islands, British Journal of Cancer, vol. 91, page S55 (Abstract). (IF 5.04)
• Coad, R. A., Shepherd, N. A. (2003). Barrett’s oesophagus: definition, diagnosis and pathogenesis. Current Diagnostic Pathology. 9, 218-227. (No. 1 most downloaded article for journal in 6 month period post publication)

Dr Katherine Broomfield
BMedSci (Speech), MSc, PhD, MRCSLT
Senior Research Associate

I qualified as a speech and language therapist from the University of Sheffield in 2001, and completed a Masters degree in Allied Health Professionals in Clinical Leadership with City University, London in 2011. I worked in clinical roles in several different localities across the UK, predominantly with adults who acquired communication difficulties because of neurological conditions. Latterly, I led a local augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) service in Gloucestershire. AAC, or communication aids, are external devices that support people who cannot speak clearly enough to get their message across. In 2014, I secured funding from Health Education England Southwest to carry out a Clinical Academic Internship with BSLTRU which I used to build an application for a Health Education England (HEE)/National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Doctoral Fellowship (2017-2022). My doctoral research project aimed to understand more about the experiences of using AAC to develop a patient reported outcome measure (PROM). I was awarded my PhD in 2024, and plan to build on my doctoral research project in future grant applications. I am currently carrying out a Stroke Association Wales - funded project with colleagues at Cardiff Metropolitan University exploring the experiences of accessing speech and language therapy for people who speak Welsh and have aphasia following stroke.

For more information about me and my project:

unspokenvoicesproject.wordpress.com/

Researchgate profile

www.researchgate.net/profile/Katherine_Broomfield2

Dr Sam Burr, BA, MSc, PhD

Senior Research Associate

In 2009 I completed the BA in German and Linguistic Science at University of York and worked in Berlin and England, while I gathered volunteering experience with children and adults with speech, language and communication needs. In 2011 I began my professional training at University College London and completed the MSc Speech & Language Sciences in 2013. In September 2013 I accepted a NQP post with Solent NHS Trust as a community paediatric Speech and Language Therapist, and developed my specialist interest in speech sound disorders and research. In March 2016 I secured funding from Solent NHS Trust to complete a Clinical Academic Internship to support the preparation of my application for an HEE/NIHR ICA Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship. My application was successful, and the 4-year fellowship began in June 2017 and I was awarded my doctorate in November 2022. In February 2022 I took up a full-time role with BSLTRU as Senior Research Associate coordinating the NIHR RfPB funded MISLToe_SSD study and facilitating the SSLiC study. 

I am a passionate advocate of clinical academic roles through my work as a Research Champion for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and former role as Clinical Academic Lead for Solent NHS Trust. I am a Clinical Academic mentor through the RCSLT offering support to clinical colleagues looking to explore the clinical academic career pathway.

Selected publications

• Cleland, J., Burr, S., Harding, S., Stringer, H. & Wren, Y. [submitted]. Development of an Agreed Labelling System and Protocol for the Diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorder Subtypes in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 
• Harding, S., Burr, S., Cleland, J., Stringer, H. & Wren, Y. (2023). Outcome measures for children with speech sound disorder: an umbrella review protocol. BMJ Open.
• Harding, S.  & Burr, S. (2022). How to? Methods: Working with Children and Parents. In Volkmer & Broomfield (Eds), Seldom Heard Voices in Service User involvement. J & R Pres, Guildford:UK.   
• Stewart, A. & Burr, S. (2021). Thickened liquids: do they still have a place in the paediatric dysphagia toolkit? Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. 
• Burr, S., Harding, S., Wren, Y., & Deave, T. (2020). The Relationship between Feeding and non-Nutritive Sucking Behaviours and Speech Sound Development: A Systematic Review. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedia. Doi: 10.1159/000505266  

Researchgate Profile

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Samantha_Burr

A workshop was undertaken to identify and prioritise the research that clinicians need and want undertaking.

The attendees identified 58 research topics, sorted these into 10 initial coherent themes and prioritised them in terms of greatest need. Specifically, we asked them to independently identify and rank the five themes they considered most important. With these rankings, we assigned a score to each theme, with higher scores representing a higher ranking identifying the priority (table one).

The CSDRN further explored the workshop outcomes and validated the participant’s prioritisation.  Figure one shows the categorisation of the developed research questions.  The CSPRN will use the individual clinically relevant questions, as indicators of need and drivers for future research programmes.  Moreover, the attendees of the workshop, together with interested members of the CENs, are and will continue to be valued colleagues to the network, as we seek to involve practitioners in the process of research at all stages – from identifying research priorities and setting questions, through to data collection and analysis, and on to disseminating the results.

GMC Number: 6077269

Year of first qualification: 2003, London

Specialty: Anaesthesia

Secretary: Jean Moon

Telephone: 0117 414 5114

GMC Number: 6054795

Year of first qualification: 2002, Nottingham University

Specialty: Respiratory Medicine

Clinical interests: Interstitial lung disease

Secretary: Su Roberts

Telephone: 0117 414 2016