I lead the Better Conversations Lab at UCL, which aims to:

1. promote awareness of conversation as a human behaviour and the impact of communication disability on conversations
2. improve access to communication partner training underpinned by Conversation Analysis for people with a range of communication disabilities
3. nurture a community of practice for speech and language therapists who aim to enable their clients to have better conversations

My research is focused on understanding the impact of language and communication disorders on the everyday communication activities of adults with acquired neurological conditions, particularly post-stroke aphasia and dementia, and the effect on life participation. I also lead research to evaluate communication skills interventions for these populations and communication training packages for healthcare professionals. I conduct research that combines qualitative analysis of interview and focus group data, and conversation analysis, with quantitative techniques in psycholinguistics and intervention studies. Recent projects include: conversation-analytic investigations of aphasia, the design and evaluation of Better Conversations interventions including Better Conversations with Aphasia (Stroke Association TSA2007/05), with a linked free online resource for speech and language therapists, patients and families that has thousands of registered users worldwide, and Better Conversations with Parkinson's (Parkinson's UK funded). I am also involved in the design and evaluation of communication skills training for healthcare professionals working with people with dementia in hospitals, VOICE1 and VOICE2 studies (NIHR HS&DR).