Speech & Language Therapy - Research

The Discipline of Speech & Language Therapy aims to stimulate, conduct and disseminate high quality research which will have a significant impact on the lives of people with communication disability, speech and language therapy practice, and the education of health care professionals. The Discipline of Speech and Language Therapy focuses on the following research themes: understanding the lives of people living with communication disorders in a range of contexts (e.g., clinic, classroom, and community), assessment and intervention for culturally and bilingually diverse populations, evidence-based practice, communication in healthcare settings, education of healthcare professionals, and civic engagement. The Discipline of Speech and Language Therapy has expertise in a range of methodologies e.g., discourse analysis, participatory health research, grounded theory, narrative inquiry, single case studies, and quantitative methods. Applications for PhD degrees are welcomed.

The PhD in Speech and Language Therapy is open to graduates who hold a clinical degree in speech and language therapy. Candidates should normally have a high honours standard in a primary degree level or equivalent.

Course Code: PHD (full time) SPL1; PHD (part time) SPL2

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Course Code: PHD (full time) SPL1; PHD (part time) SPL2



PhD (full-time)

PhD (part-time)

Research Areas


The Discipline of Speech and Language Therapy invites applications from suitably qualified candidates on topics related to the following research themes:


Understanding the lives of people living with communication disorders and their carers across a range of contexts


Assessment and intervention for culturally and bilingually diverse populations


Evidence-based practice


Education of health care professions


Communication in healthcare settings


Civic engagement