Bristol Speech & Language Therapy Research Unit conducts research and development to improve the car
The Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit is at a significant point in its history. The Unit was founded in 1987 by Professor Pam Enderby with the support of a grant from the Underwood Trust. Now, twenty-five years later, with an illustrious history behind us, we are on the verge of a new era. The Underwood Trust has endowed £1.2 million to found a Chair of Language and Communication Impairment, as well as the appointment of a Senior Research Fellow, at the University of the West of England, Bristol. This generosity enables us to develop and strengthen our programme of research. Members of the Unit have also led a national team with a successful proposal for a National Institute of Health Research Programme Grant. This 3 year grant focuses on the development of evidence-based speech and language therapy with pre-school children. In 2011 there has been a National Year of Speech and Language Communication to promote the needs of children with communication difficulties. Members of the research team were instrumental in the development of the local campaign which won a national award for its landmark activity, playing our part in raising awareness, increasing understanding and improving services. These events, combined with the unique skills, expertise and proven research record of the Unit will ensure that we stay at the centre of research for speech, language and communication in the UK.
03/07/2025
We’re hiring! Senior Research Associate needed to join the MISLToe_SSD Study Team 🤩
Thank you for your interest in this vacancy! We highly recommend reading our Tips on how to apply page to give you an insight on how applications are scored & shortlisted by our Recruiting Managers. These tips have been provided to give you a better chance of being shortlisted for our vacancies.
21/06/2025
Do SLTs all agree? Why not join a national survey to find out! Are you a practising children’s SLT who has worked in community settings for more than a year? Do you wonder how your case selection decisions compare to other SLTs nationally? If so, you are invited to take part in this survey. Benefits of participating include receipt of a collated summary of findings and suggestions for CPD activities. Visit:
Do SLTs all agree? Why not join a national survey to find out! [SR1] Are you a practising children’s SLT who has worked in community settings for more than a year? Do you wonder how your case selection decisions compare to other SLTs nationally? If so, you are invited to take part in this survey. ...
09/02/2025
Have your say on the RCSLT professional development framework.
Two years on from the initial release of the professional development framework, RCSLT are evaluating how the framework has been received and used by members. *They welcome feedback from those who have engaged with the framework as well as those who have not.* This will help inform any developments we make to the framework. If you would like to share your views, complete the evaluation survey by 24 February 2025. - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HJX5WFF
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The Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit (BSLTRU) was founded in 1987 by Professor Pam Enderby with the support of a grant from the Underwood Trust. Now, with an illustrious history behind us, we are continuing to investigate speech and language therapy; how it is implemented with the changing contexts of primary and secondary care and its impact of those receiving it.
Since BSLTRU was established, it has received significant funding from The Underwood Trust, this generosity has enabled us to develop and strengthen our programme of research. We have worked with many academic institutions, and have had particularly close relationships with the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) and the University of Bristol (UoB).
Members of the Unit have led national teams with successful National Institute of Health Research Grants. Our research has led to national and international collaboration, including working with therapists in Australia and on an EU COST Action.
The research teams membership has changed over time and we have seen staff develop their research skills and how they transfer research evidence into their clinical practice. We have had the great pleasure of having more than 16 people achieve their PhD’s or MSc while with us and then watch them become independent researchers and practitioners.
The unit continues to combine a unique set of skills, expertise and proven research record, to ensure that we stay at the centre of research for speech, language and communication in the UK.
Epidemiology
Applied research
Mixed methods – qualitative and quantitative
Our research has focused on children’s developmental speech and language impairments, stuttering and disorders associated to neurological disease in adults.
There is a wide range of projects in progress at the Research Unit.
