Research

Seeking volunteers for research into voice problems in UK academic staff

We are two Speech & Language Therapists (specialists in voice disorders) working within the PsyCen research group at Leeds Beckett University to investigate whether academics in higher education institutions would benefit from preventative voice care programmes. We would like to recruit academic staff who would be willing to complete an anonymous online questionnaire which should take about 20 minutes. The questionnaire will ask about work environment, working patterns, voice use, vocal fatigue symptoms and a few lifestyle and medical questions. As we know stress impacts on the voice, we are also including a short wellbeing questionnaire. Findings from our study could lead to the development of campaigns to raise awareness of voice difficulties so colleagues seek help promptly. We would also like to initiate preventative voice care programmes if our research demonstrates there to be a need. This research project has received ethical approval by Leeds Becket University. The link below leads to the participant information sheet, then an anonymous consent form that must be completed before participants can access the anonymous questionnaire.

Victoria Halstead, BSc(Hons), Cert RCSLT, Reg HCPC
Masters by Research Student, Leeds Beckett University

Research Supervisor
Dr Annie Hurren PhD, FHEA, Cert RCSLT, Reg HCPC
Senior Lecturer, Speech and Language Sciences, Leeds Beckett University