Associate Professor Sarah Wallace
Associate Professor

Sarah Wallace

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Phone: 
+61 7 334 67453

Background

A/Prof Sarah Wallace is a two-time NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow (2020-24; 2025-29) and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. Her research interests include communication disability in ageing and enabling and measuring meaningful change in post-stroke (language/communication impairment following stroke) aphasia. Sarah uses qualitative and participatory methods to understand the lived experience of communication disability. She works in partnership with people with lived experience, clinicians and community members to co-produce interventions, systems and standards that improve quality of care and outcomes.

Sarah's research themes include: (a) Design and implementation of a national audit system to drive quality improvement in post-stroke aphasia services; (b) Development and implementation of methodological standards to improve aphasia research quality and reduce research wastage; (c) Development of technology-enhanced interventions to support self-management, promote equitable access to information and services, and empower people with aphasia; (d) Development of fit-for-purpose training and resources for aged care workers to help older Australians have better conversations about aged care.

Sarah leads the Lived Experience Lab (LexLab), the Qualitative Collective, and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Communication Research and Engagement Theme (CommRET). She is a UQ Research Integrity Advisor. Sarah leads four current MRFF-funded projects:

Availability

Associate Professor Sarah Wallace is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Aged health care Allied health and rehabilitation science Digital health Health Sciences Health and community services Health informatics and information systems Health services and systems Health surveillance Health systems Rehabilitation Speech pathology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Speech Pathology, The University of Queensland
  • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, La Trobe University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Ageing and aged care

  • Communication disability

  • Aphasia rehabilitation

  • Core Outcome Set development

  • Consensus techniques and stakeholder engagement

  • Co-design

  • Outcome measurement

Search Professor Sarah Wallace’s works on UQ eSpace

103 works between 2013 and 2025
All (103) Journal Article (77) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (22) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 103 works

2024

Journal Article

Understanding experiences, unmet needs and priorities related to post-stroke aphasia care: stage one of an experience-based co-design project

Anemaat, Lisa N., Palmer, Victoria J., Copland, David A., Binge, Geoffrey, Druery, Kent, Druery, Julia, Mainstone, Kathryn, Aisthorpe, Bruce, Mainstone, Penelope, Burton, Bridget and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). Understanding experiences, unmet needs and priorities related to post-stroke aphasia care: stage one of an experience-based co-design project. BMJ Open, 14 (5) e081680, e081680. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081680

Understanding experiences, unmet needs and priorities related to post-stroke aphasia care: stage one of an experience-based co-design project

2024

Journal Article

COS-PPA: protocol to develop a core outcome set for primary progressive aphasia

Volkmer, Anna, Copland, David A., Henry, Maya L., Warren, Jason D., Varley, Rosemary, Wallace, Sarah J. and Hardy, Chris J. D. (2024). COS-PPA: protocol to develop a core outcome set for primary progressive aphasia. BMJ Open, 14 (5) e078714, 1-9. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078714

COS-PPA: protocol to develop a core outcome set for primary progressive aphasia

2024

Journal Article

Invaluable benefits of 10 Years of the International Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs)

Breitenstein, Caterina, Wallace, Sarah J., Gilmore, Natalie, Finch, Emma, Pettigrove, Kathryn, Brady, Marian C. and CATs Executive Committee (2024). Invaluable benefits of 10 Years of the International Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs). Stroke, 55 (4), 1129-1135. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.124.046487

Invaluable benefits of 10 Years of the International Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs)

2024

Journal Article

What does it mean to be aphasia aware? An international survey of stakeholder perspectives and experiences of aphasia awareness

Bennington, Claire, Shiggins, Ciara, Isaksen, Jytte, Beesley, Emma, Beesley, Kim and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). What does it mean to be aphasia aware? An international survey of stakeholder perspectives and experiences of aphasia awareness. Aphasiology, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-24. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2024.2330145

What does it mean to be aphasia aware? An international survey of stakeholder perspectives and experiences of aphasia awareness

2024

Journal Article

Comprehensive quality assessment for aphasia rehabilitation after stroke: protocol for a multicentre, mixed-methods study

Harvey, Sam, Stone, Marissa, Zingelman, Sally, Copland, David A, Kilkenny, Monique F, Godecke, Erin, Cadilhac, Dominique A, Kim, Joosup, Olaiya, Muideen T, Rose, Miranda L, Breitenstein, Caterina, Shrubsole, Kirstine, O'Halloran, Robyn, Hill, Annie J, Hersh, Deborah, Mainstone, Kathryn, Mainstone, Penelope, Unsworth, Carolyn A, Brogan, Emily, Short, Kylie J, Burns, Clare L, Baker, Caroline and Wallace, Sarah J (2024). Comprehensive quality assessment for aphasia rehabilitation after stroke: protocol for a multicentre, mixed-methods study. BMJ Open, 14 (3) e080532, e080532. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080532

Comprehensive quality assessment for aphasia rehabilitation after stroke: protocol for a multicentre, mixed-methods study

2024

Journal Article

Khảo Sát Ý Kiến Người Chăm Sóc Về Sự Phù Hợp Các Khuyến Nghị Thực Hành Tốt Nhất Của Tổ Chức Liên Kết Cộng ĐỒNg Mất Ngôn Ngữ Toàn Cầu Tại Việt Nam

Thanh, Phạm Đình Ngân, An, Phạm Lê, Wallace, Sarah J. and Hoàng, Trần Nguyễn Bính Minh (2024). Khảo Sát Ý Kiến Người Chăm Sóc Về Sự Phù Hợp Các Khuyến Nghị Thực Hành Tốt Nhất Của Tổ Chức Liên Kết Cộng ĐỒNg Mất Ngôn Ngữ Toàn Cầu Tại Việt Nam. Tạp chí Y học Cộng đồng, 65 (CD1), 137-144. doi: 10.52163/yhc.v65icd1.977

Khảo Sát Ý Kiến Người Chăm Sóc Về Sự Phù Hợp Các Khuyến Nghị Thực Hành Tốt Nhất Của Tổ Chức Liên Kết Cộng ĐỒNg Mất Ngôn Ngữ Toàn Cầu Tại Việt Nam

2024

Journal Article

Developing consensus-based clinical competencies to guide stroke clinicians in the implementation of psychological care in aphasia rehabilitation

Baker, Caroline, Ryan, Brooke, Rose, Miranda L., Kneebone, Ian, Thomas, Shirley, Wong, Dana and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). Developing consensus-based clinical competencies to guide stroke clinicians in the implementation of psychological care in aphasia rehabilitation. Brain Impairment, 25 (1) IB23091, 1-13. doi: 10.1071/ib23091

Developing consensus-based clinical competencies to guide stroke clinicians in the implementation of psychological care in aphasia rehabilitation

2024

Journal Article

Does aphasia impact on return to driving after stroke? A scoping review

Wallace, Helen E., Gullo, Hannah L., Copland, David A., Rotherham, Annette and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). Does aphasia impact on return to driving after stroke? A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-24. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2317989

Does aphasia impact on return to driving after stroke? A scoping review

2024

Journal Article

Towards a core outcome set for dysarthria after stroke: What should we measure?

Mitchell, Claire, Woodward-Nutt, Kate, Dancer, Annette, Taylor, Stephen, Bugler, Joe, Bowen, Audrey, Conroy, Paul, Whelan, Brooke-Mai, Wallace, Sarah J., El Kouaissi, Sabrina and Kirkham, Jamie (2024). Towards a core outcome set for dysarthria after stroke: What should we measure?. Clinical Rehabilitation, 38 (6), 2692155241231929-810. doi: 10.1177/02692155241231929

Towards a core outcome set for dysarthria after stroke: What should we measure?

2024

Journal Article

Preferences of people with post-stroke aphasia for aphasia research videos: An international project

Finch, Emma, Pierce, John E., Pais, Analisa M., Dow Richards, Carol, Reed, Allie, Charalambous, Marina, Assuncao Matos, Maria, Wallace, Sarah J. and Breitenstein, Caterina (2024). Preferences of people with post-stroke aphasia for aphasia research videos: An international project. Aphasiology, 38 (4), 758-769. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2023.2229030

Preferences of people with post-stroke aphasia for aphasia research videos: An international project

2024

Journal Article

Best practice in post-stroke aphasia services according to people with lived experience. a modified nominal group technique study

Wallace, Sarah, Anemaat, Lisa, Attard, Michelle, Baker, Caroline, Berg, Karianne, Carragher, Marcella, Isaksen, Jytte, Ryan, Brooke, Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Wang, Edwina, Worrall, Linda and Shrubsole, Kirstine (2024). Best practice in post-stroke aphasia services according to people with lived experience. a modified nominal group technique study. Aphasiology, 38 (7), 1157-1179. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2023.2262693

Best practice in post-stroke aphasia services according to people with lived experience. a modified nominal group technique study

2024

Journal Article

Is communication key in stroke rehabilitation and recovery? National linked stroke data study

Zingelman, Sally, Wallace, Sarah J., Kim, Joosup, Mosalski, Simon, Faux, Steven G., Cadilhac, Dominique A., Alexander, Tara, Lannin, Natasha A., Olaiya, Muideen T., Clifton, Ross, Shiner, Christine T., Starr, Susan and Kilkenny, Monique F. (2024). Is communication key in stroke rehabilitation and recovery? National linked stroke data study. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 31 (4), 325-335. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2023.2279804

Is communication key in stroke rehabilitation and recovery? National linked stroke data study

2024

Journal Article

Do social determinants influence post-stroke aphasia outcomes? A scoping review

O'Halloran, Robyn, Renton, Joanne, Harvey, Sam, McSween, Marie-Pier and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). Do social determinants influence post-stroke aphasia outcomes? A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46 (7), 1274-1287. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2193760

Do social determinants influence post-stroke aphasia outcomes? A scoping review

2024

Journal Article

Barriers and facilitators to the assessment of cognitive-communication disorders in children and adolescents after traumatic brain injury: a survey of Australian clinical practice

Crumlish, L., Copley, A., Wallace, S. J. and Rose, T. A. (2024). Barriers and facilitators to the assessment of cognitive-communication disorders in children and adolescents after traumatic brain injury: a survey of Australian clinical practice. Brain Impairment, 25 (1) IB23075. doi: 10.1071/ib23075

Barriers and facilitators to the assessment of cognitive-communication disorders in children and adolescents after traumatic brain injury: a survey of Australian clinical practice

2023

Conference Publication

Co-design of a technology to motivate self-managed post-stroke aphasia treatment

Worthy, P., Isaacs, M., Burton, B., Copland, D., Wiles, J., Angwin, A., Palmer, V., Gullo, M., Hill, A., Timmer, B., Shrubsole, K. and Wallace, S. (2023). Co-design of a technology to motivate self-managed post-stroke aphasia treatment. 15th World Stroke Congress, Toronto, Canada, 10-12 October 2023. London, United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.

Co-design of a technology to motivate self-managed post-stroke aphasia treatment

2023

Conference Publication

Improving communication partner training of carers of people with aphasia: preliminary results of a stepped wedge implementation trial

Shrubsole, Kirstine, Power, Emma, Rogers, Kris, Wallace, Sarah J., McCluskey, Annie, Isaacs, Megan and Ong, Wen Xuan (2023). Improving communication partner training of carers of people with aphasia: preliminary results of a stepped wedge implementation trial. Stroke 2023 – The Combined Stroke Society of Australasia and Smart Strokes Nursing and Allied Health Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, 22-25 August 2023. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930231188838

Improving communication partner training of carers of people with aphasia: preliminary results of a stepped wedge implementation trial

2023

Conference Publication

Investigating stroke care and outcomes for people with aphasia to drive quality improvement initiatives in Australian hospitals

Stone, Marissa, Wallace, Sarah J., Copland, David, Cadilhac, Dominique A., Hill, Kelvin, Purvis, Tara, Reyneke, Megan and Kilkenny, Monique F. (2023). Investigating stroke care and outcomes for people with aphasia to drive quality improvement initiatives in Australian hospitals. Stroke 2023 – The Combined Stroke Society of Australasia and Smart Strokes Nursing and Allied Health Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, 22-25 August 2023. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930231188838

Investigating stroke care and outcomes for people with aphasia to drive quality improvement initiatives in Australian hospitals

2023

Conference Publication

Evaluation of the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a minimum dataset to monitor stroke care for people with aphasia

Harvey, Sam, Stone, Marissa, Zingelman, Sally, Copland, David, Kilkenny, Monique, Godecke, Erin, Unsworth, Carolyn, O'Halloran, Robyn, Shrubsole, Kirstine, Olaiya, Muideen, Hill, Annie J., Hersh, Deborah and Wallace, Sarah J. (2023). Evaluation of the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a minimum dataset to monitor stroke care for people with aphasia. troke 2023 – The Combined Stroke Society of Australasia and Smart Strokes Nursing and Allied Health Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, 22-25 August 2023. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930231188838

Evaluation of the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a minimum dataset to monitor stroke care for people with aphasia

2023

Conference Publication

Understanding the experience of returning to driving or not for people with aphasia post-stroke: a qualitative study using patient journey mapping

Wallace, Helen E., Gullo, Hannah L., Copland, David A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2023). Understanding the experience of returning to driving or not for people with aphasia post-stroke: a qualitative study using patient journey mapping. Stroke 2023 – The Combined Stroke Society of Australasia and Smart Strokes Nursing and Allied Health Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, Australia, 22-25 August 2023. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930231188838

Understanding the experience of returning to driving or not for people with aphasia post-stroke: a qualitative study using patient journey mapping

2023

Conference Publication

Making research summaries accessible to people with aphasia following stroke: an international co-design study

Harvey, Sam, Cheng, Bonnie, Shiggins, Ciara, Ryan, Brooke, Rose, Tanya, Palmer, Rebecca, Burton, Bridget, Worthy, Peter, Deslandes, Ryan, Kong, Anthony Pak-Hin, Breitenstein, Caterina, Soroli, Eva, Dutta, Manaswita, Martinez Ferreiro, Silvia, Alyahya, Reem, Pais, Analisa, Shinton, Ray, Jennings, Amy, Pernworth, Janis and Wallace, Sarah J. (2023). Making research summaries accessible to people with aphasia following stroke: an international co-design study. Stroke 2023 – The Combined Stroke Society of Australasia and Smart Strokes Nursing and Allied Health Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 22-25 August 2023. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930231188838

Making research summaries accessible to people with aphasia following stroke: an international co-design study

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    Lost Voices: Improving Outcomes for Older Australians with Communication Disability through Identification, Inclusion and Improved Quality of Care.
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Co-designing a pet robot to support people living with dementia
    Australian Assocation of Gerontology R M Gibson Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Aphasia Treatment TranslAtIon Network (ATTAIN)
    NHMRC MRFF Rapid Applied Research Translation Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Codesign of an interdisciplinary intervention to support text-messaging for adults with post-stroke aphasia: The SMS study
    National Stroke Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Bridging the Digital Divide: Building Health Self-Efficacy through Communication-Accessible Online Environments
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Consumer Led Research
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    The Right Treatment for the Right Person at the Right Time. Driving High-Value Aphasia Care through Meaningful Health System Monitoring
    NHMRC MRFF Cardiovascular Health
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Unspoken, Unheard, Unmet: Improving Access to Preventative Health Care through Better Conversations about Care
    NHMRC MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    Implementation of Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT)
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Plug-In and Power-Up: Boosting Health Self-Efficacy through Communication-Accessible Online Environments
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Maximising the impact of speech and language therapy for children with speech sound disorder (Non UQ Lead)
    National Institute for Health Research UK
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Co-design of a template for aphasia accessible research reporting (COTAR)
    Glasgow Caledonian University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Measuring, Monitoring, and Motivating Adherence to Self-Managed Aphasia Treatment
    NHMRC MRFF - Cardiovascular Health Mission
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Improving Conversations about Care through Experience-Based Co-Design
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Driving quality improvement through Meaningful Evaluation of Aphasia SeRvicES (MEASuRES)
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Sarah Wallace is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • MEASuRE up! Driving High-Quality Care through Adherence to Quality Indicators - Earmarked Domestic Scholarship Available

    This research aims to improve outcomes for people with post-stroke aphasia by auditing adherence with quality indicators across multiple sites and determining the impact of an implementation intervention.

    An earmarked domestic scholarship is available for this project. https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/measure-driving-high-quality-care-through-adherence-quality-indicators

    This project forms part of a program of research being conducted by A/Prof Sarah Wallace within her Investigator Grant: Lost Voices: Improving Outcomes for Older Australians with Communication Disability through Identification, Inclusion and Improved Quality of Care. The successful applicant will be provided with infrastructure and support through the Queensland Aphasia Research Centre.

    Project Description: The translation of existing evidence to practice has the potential to improve outcomes for people with aphasia after stroke. This study will audit adherence with MEASuRES quality indicators across multiple sites and determine the impact of an implementation intervention on improving adherence.

    Aim: (1) To identify evidence-practice gaps in aphasia services by collecting a minimum set of quality indicators. (2) To determine the impact of an implementation intervention on identified variances in care.

    Design: Mixed-methods design with a nonrandomized, multicentre, controlled before and after comparison, with a process evaluation. Baseline collection of MEASuRES quality indicators for 12 months via chart audit. Adherence to indicators will be assessed for each site. Tailored implementation interventions will be matched to identified variances in care quality in collaboration work being undertaken by Dr Kirstine Shrubsole, whose EL1 Investigator Grant (2024-28) is developing an aphasia implementation toolkit. Post-intervention collection of indicators for 12 months.

    Outputs and outcomes: Evidence of current implementation gaps and effectiveness of implementation interventions.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring Conversation in Aphasia: Development of an Outcome Measure

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Unspoken, Unheard, Unmet: Improving Access to Preventative Health Care through Better Conversations about Care.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Describing the delivery and outcomes of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation in Australia using a minimum dataset

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Copland

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The M.O.S.T-Project: Meaningful Outcomes for School-aged Children and Adolescents with Cognitive-Communication Disorders from Traumatic Brain Injuries

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin, Dr Tanya Rose

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring what Matters: Interpreting meaningful outcomes in clinical care and economic evaluation for people with post-stroke aphasia.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sam Harvey

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring what Matters: Interpreting meaningful outcomes in clinical care and economic evaluation for people with post-stroke aphasia.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sam Harvey

  • Doctor Philosophy

    How can we help people with aphasia return to driving following stroke?

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Copland, Dr Hannah Gullo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring conversation in couples where one person has aphasia: development of a patient-reported outcome measure

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Unspoken, Unheard, Unmet: Improving Access to Preventative Health Care through Better Conversations about Care.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole

  • Doctor Philosophy

    International Stakeholder Perspectives, Experiences, and Priorities for Aphasia Awareness: Co-design of a Unified Campaign

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    International Stakeholder Perspectives, Experiences, and Priorities for Aphasia Awareness: Co-design of a Unified Campaign

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring conversation in couples where one person has aphasia: development of a patient-reported outcome measure

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Describing the delivery and outcomes of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation in Australia using a minimum dataset

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Copland

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring what Matters: Interpreting meaningful outcomes in clinical care and economic evaluation for people with post-stroke aphasia.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sam Harvey

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development and evaluation of a Co-Designed Implementation Toolkit to improve speech pathology provision of evidence-based aphasia services.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor David Copland, Dr Kirstine Shrubsole

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Co-Designing Technology-Enhanced Training for Aged Care Workers

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Peter Worthy

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Sarah Wallace directly for media enquiries about:

  • Aged care
  • Aphasia
  • Co-design
  • Communication
  • Lived experience
  • Speech pathology
  • Stroke

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