Dr Dermot Fitzsimons

Personal statement

I joined Strathclyde as a Teaching Associate in 2021 on the BSc Hons Speech and Language Pathology. 

My research interests are in paediatric/adolescent language and communication disorders and their impact on the lives of marginalised and under-represented groups (particularly young people who offend, and children and young people involved with the welfare/justice system/Scottish Children's Hearings system)

I also contributed to efforts to increase the diversity of Speech and Language Therapy as a profession in the UK, both in practice and for students working to join the profession. I am particularly interested in attracting under-represented groups to the profession, particularly males (the current gender mix is ~96% female/4% male) and LGBTQIA+ people. I am currently beginning a project as Student Engagement Officer for the SLT Pride Network examining UK LGBTQIA+ student experiences of their university curriculum and also clinical placement. 

I am currently Module Lead for two of the clinical modules on the BSc course - Clinical and Professional Capabilities (CPC2, CPC3). I also work collaboratively with colleagues to explore new approaches to placement.