Research Group

Assessment and management of neuro-developmental and acquired disorders

A table covered in plastic models of organs of the human body. Around the edge of the photo are people's hands and arms. In the foreground two hands are holding a model of the brain. To the right another pair of hands are holding a smartphone with a diagram of a brain on the screen.

The School is developing new programmes of research in innovations in neurorehabilitation and developmental disorders led by key research active staff in the School who work closely with third sector organisations (I CAN, Afasic, Stroke Association, UK acquired Brain Injury Forum, Brain Injury MedTech Co-operative).

  • Professor Andrew Bateman has a range of projects investigating the clinical assessment of people living with neurological conditions, the development of neuropsychological rehabilitation interventions and measurement of outcomes. He is currently leading a programme on to improving social workers’ knowledge of acquired brain injury (ABI) to understand the needs of people with a brain injury and their families.
  • Professor Victoria Joffe’s area of clinical and research expertise includes developmental language disorder and language disorder across the lifespan, child speech disorder, the interface between education and speech and language therapy, collaborative practice and the training of teaching staff, the relationship between language, metalinguistic awareness and literacy, language and communication intervention in secondary school students and evidence-based practice for children and young people with special educational needs. Professor Victoria Joffe is currently working on three National Institute Health Research (NIHR)-funded research projects looking into new and innovative interventions for children with social communication disorder, children who stammer and children with Down Syndrome. She is also currently undertaking research looking at the impact of lockdown on the learning and specialist provision of children and young people with special educational needs.

Postgraduate Research

Applications are welcome to those interested in developing expertise around the assessment and management of neuro developmental and acquired disorders through a research degree.

We have exciting developments in the area of brain rehabilitation led by Professor Andrew Bateman, speech and language therapy led by Professor Vicky Joffe, and aphasia and digital applications with Dr Anna Caute.

If you are interested in doing research degree, please view the list of academics below for potential supervisors.

Our researchers

An ombre background from blue to green with "Louder than Words" in black text and the words "University of Essex" also in black with a logo of 5 small black squares on the bottom right.
The Louder Than Words Podcast: Brain Injury

In this podcast Professor Jules Pretty is joined by several staff, including Health and Social Care's Professor Andrew Bateman and Caroline Bald, to discuss brain injury and how patients can be better supported.

Listen to the podcast