Researcher biography

The theme of Prof Ward's research program in the field of speech pathology has been the assessment and rehabilitation of the motor functions of swallowing, speech and voice.

Prof Ward currently holds a joint position as the Director of the Centre for Functioning and Health (CFAHR: www.health.qld.gov.au/cfahr), Queensland Health, and is a conjoint Professor with the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. She has published extensively during her career, with over 400 publications. Prof Ward has recieved $3.8 million in competitive grant funding in the past 5 years across a number of research fields including dysphagia assessment and mangement, telehealth, head and neck cancer care, motor speech disorders, simulation training, and the implementation of new models of allied health care. Her research has a clinical focus with particular emphasis on projects designed to improve speech and swallowing outcomes in a broad range of surgical and neurogenic populations. She has been awarded multiple UQ teaching awards and has supervised >35 students to sucessful completion of their research higher degree. In 2014 Prof Ward was awarded the title of Fellow of Speech Pathology Australia in recognition of her contributions to the profession.