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In the third year of my PhD study in the Speech Lab at University College London (UCL), I had the privilege of attending the 14th Oxford Stuttering and Cluttering Research Conference (OSCR) alongside esteemed researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders in the field of stuttering across the world. Presenting my research poster, which snapshots one important section of my PhD project, was a truly memorable and rewarding experience. It was made even more special by receiving a Special Commendation from Action for Stammering Children (ASC), a charity I deeply admire for its active advocacy for children and young people who stammer, helping them to thrive and flourish throughout their lives.
Driven by a natural curiosity about human behaviour, emotions, and thought, I came to UCL to study for a BSc in Psychology, it is here that I met my tutor for the first time, Professor Peter Howell, who has since become my PhD supervisor. During my undergraduate studies, I took Professor Howell’s module on stuttering and was immediately captivated by its intricate nature, where motor, linguistic, psychological, and social factors interact in complex ways. This interest deepened during my final-year research project, in which I conducted an online study with children who stutter during the covid time. Hearing the vivid voice recordings from these children during data analysis raised even more questions in my mind, particularly about why stuttering varies both between and within individuals.
“My current PhD research focuses on understanding anxiety in children who stutter through a social lens… I aim to uncover the mechanisms underlying this complex relationship and, ultimately, to inform how we can better support children who stutter”
From that moment, I knew I wanted to explore this phenomenon further. My MSc in Clinical Mental Health Sciences at UCL provided further background allowing me to learn about anxiety impacts young children and the importance of early attention to this by addressing modifiable environmental factors that can buffer against such impacts. This motivated me to pursue a PhD that would allow me to investigate anxiety in children who stutter in greater depth.
My current PhD research focuses on understanding anxiety in children who stutter through a social lens. Using both qualitative methods and statistical modelling, I aim to uncover the mechanisms underlying this complex relationship and, ultimately, to inform how we can better support children who stutter, beyond their speech alone. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that experiments alone cannot fully capture the lived experiences of the participants. Therefore, I prioritise investigating with people who have lived experience including children, parents, teachers, and speech and language therapists, rather than doing research to, about, or for them. Through these collaborations and consultations, I have been truly inspired by the openness, insight, and generosity of those who share their first-hand experiences.
This approach cannot be developed by staying confined within an academic laboratory. My research journey has been incredibly fortunate to receive enlightening guidance from my subsidiary supervisor, Dr Ria Bernard, CEO of ASC, whose passion for amplifying the voices of children and families in the community has been truly inspiring. Last year, I was fortunate to attend the launch of ASC’s Top 10 Research Priorities at UCL, which emphasised the importance of collaboration between researchers and the stuttering community. Witnessing an impactful example of how stakeholders’ voices were valued and shaped research directions, I felt more confident and encouraged to continue my research adopting such principle.
As a charity that promotes rigorous research and person-centred practice, ASC represents a bridge between science and real-world impact. With the continuous support of ASC and its community, I believe many early-career researchers like me will be motivated and empowered to dedicate their work to supporting children and young people who stutter feel more confident and motivated in their communication and unlimited potentials onwards.
By Zhixing Yang , PhD Researcher in the Speech Lab at University College London
You can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about stammering by taking a look at our Support Hub Knowledge Articles
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