Dr Bronwyn Hemsley

Qualifications

• PhD (Communication Sciences & Disorders), University of Sydney, 2008
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology), University of Sydney, 1988

Research

Research keywords

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Developmental Disability
• Healthcare communication
• Inclusive Research
• Qualitative Research

Research expertise

Dr. Bronwyn Hemsley is a specialist speech pathologist with 25 years experience in working with people with communication disabilities in a clinical, research, teaching, and policy and development capacity. She takes an inclusive approach in involvement of consumers in teaching and research and consultation within all research projects and practice guideline development. Her research agenda aims to improve communicative access across settings for all people with difficulty communicating by speech, in a rights based approach as supported by the World Health Organisation.

She holds a continuing position as senior lecturer at The University of Newcastle and NHMRC postdoctoral fellowship, an honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, and member of the NHMRC Research Translation Faculty. Relative to her research opportunity she has a strong track record and has published 30 peer reviewed journal articles that are widely cited across nursing, health policy, and communication disciplines. She regularly consults to State and National Governments and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia on matters pertaining to disability, communication, and health interactions, policy, and training of staff. She is President-Elect of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), and Chairs the ISAAC Research committee and Translations committee. She is an Editor on the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group and has associate editor responsibilities in the journal Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability.

Bronwyn has developed strong collaborative links with eminent national and international researchers in her field and across disciplines in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Asia Pacific with active projects relating to communication and health interactions. She regularly appears on the international stage and is invited to speak on her research and clinical implications. Bronwyn is in a position of leadership at her University and is leading innovations in research across the School and Faculty. She was an invited speaker at Speech Pathology Australia, in Hobart June 2012, and the Allied Health National Conference in April 2012 on social media in speech pathology professional development.

Bronwyn's research to date has focused upon the day to day life and health impacts of having little or no speech along with a complex health profile or multiple disabilities affecting a range of functions. The findings of her research encompass a detailed understanding of family carers, paid carers, hospital staff, adults with communication disabilities, and the tools for communication that might assist them to communicate successfully.

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Complex communication needs
• Dysphagia and Mealtime Management
• Healthcare Communication
• Speech Pathology

Teaching expertise

Bronwyn teaches and co-ordinates courses at the University of Newcastle, including:

SPTH2003 - Complex Communication Needs 1

SPTH2004 - Complex Communication Needs 2

SPTH3002 - Swallowing Across the Lifespan

Bronwyn is also engaged in teaching research, with Dr. Liam Phelan (Grad School, University of Newcastle) with investigations currently including:

• the use of Twitter in teaching and learning by students in speech pathology
• the use of Twitter for teaching and learning by guest lecturers with complex communication needs

Information about these projects is available from Bronwyn including copies of conference presentations related to these current projects.