Helen Kelly

Dr. Helen Kelly is a state-registered Speech and Language Therapist and Lecturer in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at University College Cork, Ireland. With clinical experience in NHS Scotland on Stroke and Medical wards as well as in the Community, her research bridges clinical practice and academic inquiry, focusing on adults with acquired swallowing difficulties and communication impairment following brain injury, particularly post-stroke aphasia. She actively collaborates with international research networks including the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) and COST Action NET4Age-Friendly.

• BSc Hons in Speech and Language Pathology, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (2000)
• PhD in Speech and Language Therapy, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (2006)
• MSc Education in Action 1 & 2, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (2010-2011)
• Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, UCC (2018)

Dr. Kelly's research emphasizes patient and public involvement (PPI) and co-design methodologies in developing interventions for people with communication disorders. Her work explores how technology can enhance rehabilitation outcomes while reducing the digital divide for people with aphasia. She investigates medication adherence challenges in post-stroke patients with communication disorders and examines the lived experiences of individuals with Motor Neurone Disease and dysphagia. Her research often involves participatory design approaches, collaborating directly with user-led groups like Speakability.

Analysis of Dr. Kelly's recent publications reveals a strong focus on medication adherence for people with aphasia, dysphagia management across healthcare settings, and the integration of technology in rehabilitation. Her work demonstrates increasing international collaboration, particularly through the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs), where she contributes to developing core outcome sets and fidelity standards for aphasia trials. The research shows a clear trajectory toward more patient-centered, co-designed interventions that address real-world challenges faced by people with communication disorders.

• Clinical Research Fellowship (Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Professions Consortium Stroke Programme, 2006)
• Highest Scoring Abstract across disciplines (Stroke Forum 2011)
• Substantial research funding from Health Research Board, Irish Research Council, and Higher Education Authority

Dr. Kelly supervises multiple PhD and MSc students focusing on critical areas including medication adherence in aphasia, dysphagia management, and technology applications in speech therapy. She has secured over €400,000 in research funding from diverse sources including the Health Research Board, Irish Research Council, and Higher Education Authority. Her ENSPIRED project established an all-island Speech and Language Therapy student network across Ireland. She currently leads online Aphasia Home Cafés facilitating communication practice during and beyond the pandemic.

Dr. Kelly leads collaborative research initiatives including the Consortium from all five Higher Education Institutions on the island of Ireland running Speech and Language Therapy programs. She co-leads Working Group 1 of COST Action NET4Age-Friendly focusing on user-centered inclusive design of age-friendly environments. Her research actively involves people with aphasia through co-design approaches, particularly in developing technology-based interventions and resources like the aphasia-accessible website she created with Speakability.