Inside SLP Clinical Research Day 2026

By: Jessica Boafo

In honour of Speech & Hearing Month, the Department of Speech-Language Pathology celebrated with a full day of scholarship, exchange, and community at the 2026 SLP Clinical Research Day, held on Tuesday, May 5, at the University of Toronto’s Medical Sciences Building. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners gathered to engage with emerging research and celebrate the depth of work taking place across the field of speech-language pathology.

At the heart of the day were capstone presentations from second-year MHSc students, who shared research spanning dysphagia, adult communication, paediatric care, and system-level innovation. Topics ranged from caregiver support in post-stroke dysphagia and culturally adapted feeding frameworks to the integration of cognitive behavioural therapy, artificial intelligence, and psychedelic-assisted research into clinical practice. Together, the presentations highlighted the interdisciplinary, evidence-informed, and practice-driven nature of contemporary SLP research.

The day opened with welcoming remarks from Associate Professor Dr. Deryk Beal and Department Chair Dr. Rosemary Martino, who emphasized the role of student research in shaping the future of the profession and reinforcing SLP’s impact across healthcare systems. Their remarks set a collaborative and celebratory tone for the day ahead.

Throughout the program, attendees moved through themed sessions on dysphagia, adult communication, and paediatric care, reflecting the diversity of clinical populations and settings served by speech-language pathologists. Student presenters demonstrated not only strong methodological foundations but also a clear commitment to accessibility, equity, and patient‑centred care, priorities echoed across many of the projects.

A key feature of the afternoon was the May Month Lecture, Access by Design: A System‑Level Approach to Transforming Access to SLP Services, delivered by Brendan Wylie‑Toal, Director of Research & Innovation at KidsAbility Centre for Child Development, alongside speech-language pathologist Caterina Minaudo. Drawing on their work at the Rocket Discovery Centre, the keynote explored how intentional system and service design can reduce barriers, improve efficiency, and expand access to care for children, youth, and families. Their conversation underscored the importance of collaboration between clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations in driving meaningful change.

The day concluded with a Mix and Mingle Celebration, offering an opportunity for students, faculty, and guests to connect, reflect, and celebrate the collective accomplishments of the department.

SLP Clinical Research Day 2026 once again showcased the strength of the department’s academic community, highlighting student excellence, fostering dialogue across sectors, and reinforcing the department’s leadership in advancing research that matters in real‑world clinical contexts.

Thank you to all presenters, speakers, organizers, staff, and attendees who helped make this year’s event such a success!