Open to all interested graduate students and postdocs

SLHS 6367   Topics in Hearing and Speech Science

Topic: Advanced Research Practices in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Instructor: Derek Houston

Term: Spring 2026

Time: Mondays 1:30-3:20pm

Location: TBD

Credit hours:2

The aim of this course is to help prepare students for successful research careers in the speech, language, and hearing sciences by broadening their knowledge of leading-edge research questions and methodologies and by honing students’ skills of scientific inquiry, research design, and collaboration. These learning objectives will be accomplished by engaging in the following activities:

• Overview of SLHS: The first three weeks of the semester will serve as a broad survey of the constellation of topics explored within UConn’s department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Students will also discuss their own interests and start to form ideas for panels, guest speakers, and other activities for later in the semester.
• Deep Dives: 3-week modules to acquaint students with the research foci and methods employed by a particular researcher in the department. As part of these modules, students will prepare “Future directions follow-up” (FDF) where they will practice developing research ideas across a variety of topics. This year, deep dives will include:
  • Work by Dr. Emily Myers investigating adult speech perception and speech-to-meaning mapping using both neuroimaging (i.e., fMRI, MRI, ERP, TMS) and behavioral methodologies.
  • Work by Dr. Jennifer Tufts on hearing protection and enhancement devices, auditory fitness for duty, and music perception.
  • Work by Dr. Tammie Spaulding on the nature, identification, and outcomes of children, adolescents, and adults with Specific Language Impairment using behavioral, survey, and play observation methodologies.
• Panels: Students will collaborate to develop panels of specific research topics and invite 2-4 participants — with an emphasis on promoting heterogeneity across divisions (clinical/research and speech/hearing) and career stage (student/faculty) – to prepare brief (5-8 minutes) ‘perspective statements’ and participate in answering prepared questions and engaging in general discussion with each other and students toward potential collaborations, future directions, etc.
• Guest speakers: A scientist or clinician (potentially from outside of SLHS or UConn) will give a guest-lecture overview of their work and area.
• Other: This course will be adaptable to student-driven learning goals and initiatives.

It is expected that these activities will help students obtain a fund of knowledge and inquiry skills that will enhance their ability to contribute feedback to current and future colleagues’ research ideas and develop the perspective to be able to develop new interdisciplinary research areas.