From Questions to Breakthroughs: How We’re Rewriting the Future of Stammering Research

It was an absolute pleasure to attend the launch of ASC’s Top 10 research priorities at UCL this month. The event brought together an incredible mix of professors, clinicians, and young people from across the UK and Europe, celebrating over two and a half years of dedicated effort. As a member of the Steering Committee, I had the privilege of working alongside CEOs, professionals, as well as Clinical and Educational Representatives from prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford and UCL. It was particularly rewarding to collaborate closely with my fellow Youth Panellist, Phoebe, who brought invaluable insights to our discussions.

Witnessing the evolution of the project from its very first meetings to the distribution of the public questionnaire—where we received over 385 potential research questions from individuals across the UK—has been an unforgettable experience. Throughout this time, I had the chance to connect with other members of the Steering Committee, learning invaluable skills and gaining access to new resources that have enhanced my understanding of this field. Additionally, being able to speak directly with experts at the top of their profession in speech and language therapy was an amazing opportunity that provided me with a deeper perspective on the opportunities in this area of research.

Last November, we gathered volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds at the Coram Conference Centre in London, including SLTs (speech and language therapists), parents, and friends of people who stammer. Our mission was to narrow down the pool of 25 exceptional research questions to the final Top 10 that we believed would have the greatest potential impact. We were divided into four groups, each engaging in insightful and often personal conversations about our experiences and the perspectives we brought to the table. There was a powerful sense of community that formed as we shared our stories, and it was inspiring to meet so many passionate individuals from all walks of life, united by the same goal.

All 25 of the research questions submitted were of an incredibly high standard, which made the task of narrowing them down even more challenging. After several hours of deep discussion, and following a much-needed break with some delicious sandwiches and a slice of Victoria sponge cake, we finally arrived at our consensus on the Top 10 research priorities. It was a fulfilling moment, knowing that the work we had done would guide future research in stammering, and hopefully bring meaningful change to the lives of those who stammer, both in the UK and around the world.

Looking back on the entire process, from the initial idea to this launch event, it’s clear that the work we’ve done will hopefully pave the way for more focused and impactful research. I am incredibly proud to have been part of this journey and look forward to seeing the change these research priorities will inspire in the years to come.