Claire Layfield

Claire Layfield serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics at Macquarie University, specializing in speech-language pathology with particular expertise in motor speech disorders. Her research focuses on clinical applications for patients with neurological conditions affecting communication, particularly stroke survivors and individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Her research interests center on the intersection of clinical linguistics and neurorehabilitation, with specific emphasis on apraxia of speech, aphasia, and communication challenges in multiple sclerosis. Dr. Layfield employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including content analysis of patient perspectives, acoustic speech analysis, and systematic reviews of intervention efficacy. Her work bridges experimental phonetics with clinical practice to develop evidence-based assessment and treatment protocols for motor speech disorders.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for speech disorders following neurological events. Her research demonstrates particular strength in differentiating between overlapping speech disorders (such as aphasia versus apraxia of speech) and developing practical assessment tools. The 2022 publication on multiple sclerosis communication represents an expansion of her work into neurodegenerative conditions beyond stroke.

Dr. Layfield actively collaborates on significant research projects, currently serving as a Primary Chief Investigator on the Visualising Voice and Speech (VisVoiS) project (2022-present), which aims to bridge experimental and clinical research to accelerate discovery in voice and speech disorders. Her publications have garnered substantial attention, with multiple papers receiving citations in clinical guidelines and policy documents, and being featured in news outlets.

Her research outputs include high-impact articles in leading journals such as Neuropsychologia, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, and International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Several of her publications have been referenced in clinical guidelines and policy sources, demonstrating the translational impact of her work. Her research has also attracted attention from social media and academic networking platforms, with significant readership on Mendeley and mentions across multiple X (Twitter) accounts.