Speech and Language Sciences

Overview

Throughout the Speech and Language Sciences PhD programme from Newcastle University we offer expert supervision in the following research areas:

• links between the production and perception of speech
• monolingual/bilingual speech and language development in children for a range of language(s), particularly Arabic
• early years policy with a focus on language and communication
• relation of socio-economic factors to language development
• assessment, diagnosis and intervention for speech, language and communication impairment, including:
• primary speech and language impairment in children (including specific language impairment)
• verb and sentence processing deficits in people with aphasia
• memory disorders following stroke
• effectiveness of interventions for speech and language impairments
• the psycholinguistics of word production
• computational modelling of word retrieval

Our website provides further information on research areas. Our supervisors' current research interests, projects and publications are available from our staff profiles. The majority of our staff have hands-on professional experience in speech and language therapy, teaching, or English language teaching prior to entering academia. We advise that you contact Carolyn Letts, Director of Postgraduate Research, or a member of our staff as a potential supervisor before applying. You will be asked to submit a short research proposal (1000 words max).

Key facts:

Your attendance at the Speech and Language Sciences programme from Newcastle University is flexible, depending on your field work or if you are away collecting data. You will have regular meetings with your supervisory team, supported by email and Skype.

You can choose to enter the annual competition for ESRC funded studentships through the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership. You should contact us well in advance of the February deadline if you are planning to apply.

You will be based in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, which is very diverse with a high number of international students. You will have opportunities to attend seminars across the disciplines of speech and language sciences, education and applied linguistics and to engage with staff and fellow-students from all over the world. Many of our students already have well-developed professional careers and are inspired to explore research questions arising from their experience.

If you are based in the UK and wish to maintain your professional employment, part time study is a flexible option.

Our links with research centres and institutes provide opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary seminars and interest groups. Our most important connections are with:

• Institute for Health and Society
• Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Studies
• Centre for Research in Learning and Teaching