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University of Essex homepage Departments Health and Social Care Research Neuro developmental and acquired disorders
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.
  • The CoastGEM (Coastal Gap in Equality for Stroke care Management) is a partnership between the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust (ESNEF) and the University of Essex to address inequalities in stroke care in coastal East Suffolk and North Essex. The region has some of the worst Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores in the UK. People with cardiovascular disease have lower life expectancies, particularly affecting those less well-off. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disabilities in the area, worsening this gap. The CoastGEM project aims to involve patients and various stakeholders in their research and share their findings with those who can make a difference. CaostGEM is investigating the causes of disparities in stroke care for patients and survivors and developing an action plan based on their findings. In addition, the project examines information about existing stroke services, seeking the views of patients and carers and analysing data on the use of stroke services. The CoastGEM project team from the University of Essex comprises researchers, including Reza Majdzadeh as the Principal Investigator, Dr Lee Yarwood-Ross as the senior research officer, Jana Abdel-Jawadova, Andrew Bateman, Camille Cronin, Thomas Currid, Victoria Joffe, Analisa Pais and Timea Putnoki. They are actively seeking cross-disciplinary new members to join their team or attend a virtual journal club on stroke, which conducts almost weekly on Mondays. If you are interested in joining the team or attending the journal club, please contact one of the team members for more information.

Group lead

Professor Andrew Bateman

Professor Andrew Bateman

Professor and Director NIHR Research Design Service

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Current projects

Heads Together

In this NIHR-funded project, our researchers are developing a range of educational resources on acquired brain injuries, which will support social workers to improve their understanding and professional practice.

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

Academics

Akudo Amadiegwu
Akudo Amadiegwu

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Caroline Bald
Caroline Bald

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Sai Bangera
Sai Bangera

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Dr Anna Caute
Dr Anna Caute

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Hannah Evans
Hannah Evans

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Professor Victoria Joffe
Professor Victoria Joffe

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Dr Nelly Joye
Dr Nelly Joye

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Annabel Kay
Annabel Kay

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Alison Markham
Alison Markham

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Dr Analisa Pais
Dr Analisa Pais

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Dr Shamala Sundaray
Dr Shamala Sundaray

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Abril Tejedor Benitez
Abril Tejedor Benitez

Group member

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Dr Drasko Kascelan
Dr Drasko Kascelan

Lecturer

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Dr Shamala Sundaray
Dr Shamala Sundaray

Lecturer

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Postgraduate students

Juwaretu Aliyu
Juwaretu Aliyu

PhD student

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Stephanie Ford
Stephanie Ford

PhD student

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Nozomi Oyama
Nozomi Oyama

PhD student

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

Timea Putnoki
Timea Putnoki

PhD student

School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex

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
Research in the School of Health and Social Care
Research group: Physical and mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan
Research degrees from the School of Health and Social Care
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