Speech-language therapists can talk you into anything

Welcome to Clare McCann's Inaugural Lecture, "Speech-language therapists can talk you into anything".

Join us in FMHS Lecture Theatre 505-007, on May 14, 2026 at 5:00pm. Some refreshments will be provided

Abstract

The role of a speech-language therapist in New Zealand, and internationally, has broadened considerably from the early days of prioritising elocution and speaking correctly, to an inclusive person-centred approach to supporting people to live as independently as possible. Given the diversity of populations, the prevalence of communication difficulties is poorly understood, but is predicted to affect all members of society (either personally or by association).

In this presentation, Professor Clare McCann will describe her research into oral communication difficulties in adolescents and adults. She is recognised nationally and internationally as a leading researcher in the field of aphasia (one of the acquired language disorders experienced after a brain injury such as stroke or brain tumour) and has a growing international reputation for her research into oral language difficulties experienced by people in the justice system. This new and emerging area of practice for the speech-language therapy workforce involves collaboration with other professionals, and is a first for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Biography

Clare was born in Rotorua, New Zealand and completed her undergraduate degrees in speech-language therapy and education at The University of Canterbury. She worked as a speech-language therapist in hospitals in New Zealand, before moving to the UK to further her career.

She undertook postgraduate study in clinical linguistics at the University of Reading and has been at the University of Auckland since 2005. She is a practising speech-language therapist with over 30 years’ experience in acute, rehabilitation and community settings. Clare is the Programme Director for the postgraduate speech-language therapy degree, and contributes to teaching in Speech Science and Psychology (within the Faculty of Science) and other health professional programmes within FMHS.

She is an applied researcher and has a strong commitment to giving a voice to those who struggle to have their voice heard. She loves to talk, so she is very well-suited to her chosen career!

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Host or Publisher Faculty of Science, University of Auckland