Overview
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
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
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Ageing and aged care
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Communication disability
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Aphasia rehabilitation
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Core Outcome Set development
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Consensus techniques and stakeholder engagement
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Co-design
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Outcome measurement
Works
Search Professor Sarah Wallace’s works on UQ eSpace
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, Tanya Rose, Palmer, Rebecca, Burton. Bridget, Worthy, Peter, Deslandes, Ryan, Kong, Anthony Pak-Hin, Breitenstein, Caterina, Soroli, Eva, Dutta, Manaswita, Martinez Ferreiro, Silvia, Alyahya, Reem, Pais, Analise, Shinton, Ray, 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, Australia, 22-25 August 2023. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930231188838
2023
Conference Publication
Do social determinants of health influence post-stroke aphasia outcomes? A scoping review
O'Halloran, Robyn, Renton, Joanne, Harvey, Sam, McSween, Marie-Pier and Wallace, Sarah J. (2023). Do social determinants of health influence post-stroke aphasia outcomes? A scoping review. 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
2023
Journal Article
The excess costs of hospitalization for acute stroke in people with communication impairment: a Stroke123 data linkage sub-study
Brogan, Emily L., Kim, Joosup, Grimley, Rohan S., Wallace, Sarah J., Baker, Caroline, Thayabaranathan, Tharshanah, Andrew, Nadine E., Kilkenny, Monique F., Godecke, Erin, Rose, Miranda L. and Cadilhac, Dominique A. (2023). The excess costs of hospitalization for acute stroke in people with communication impairment: a Stroke123 data linkage sub-study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 104 (6), 942-949. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.01.015
2023
Conference Publication
Quality of stroke care and outcomes for people with and without aphasia
Stone, Marissa, Wallace, Sarah J., Copland, David A., Cadilhac, Dominique A., Hill, Kelvin, Purvis, Tara, Reyneke, Megan and Kilkenny, Monique F. (2023). Quality of stroke care and outcomes for people with and without aphasia. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 21-24 May 2023.
2023
Journal Article
An Updated Systematic Review of Stroke Clinical Practice Guidelines to Inform Aphasia Management
Burton, Bridget Mary, Isaacs, Megan L., Brogan, Emily Louise, Shrubsole, Kirstine, Kilkenny, Monique F., Power, Emma, Godecke, Erin, Cadilhac, Dominique, Copland, David and Wallace, Sarah J. (2023). An Updated Systematic Review of Stroke Clinical Practice Guidelines to Inform Aphasia Management. International Journal of Stroke, 18 (9), 1-11. doi: 10.1177/17474930231161454
2023
Journal Article
What is 'successful rehabilitation'? A multi-stakeholder nominal group technique study to inform rehabilitation outcome measurement
Wallace, Sarah J., Barnett, Amandine, Cheng, Bonnie Y., Lowe, Joshua, Campbell, Katrina L. and Young, Adrienne M. (2023). What is 'successful rehabilitation'? A multi-stakeholder nominal group technique study to inform rehabilitation outcome measurement. Clinical Rehabilitation, 37 (9), 1-12. doi: 10.1177/02692155231157181
2023
Journal Article
COS-Speech: protocol to develop a core outcome set for dysarthria after stroke for use in clinical practice and research
Mitchell, C., Bowen, A., Conroy, P., Whelan, B.M., Wallace, S.J., Dancer, A., Woodward-Nutt, K. and Kirkham, J.J. (2023). COS-Speech: protocol to develop a core outcome set for dysarthria after stroke for use in clinical practice and research. Trials, 24 (1) 57, 1-7. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06958-7
2023
Journal Article
Putting “the broken bits together”: A qualitative exploration of the impact of communication changes in dementia
Nickbakht, Mansoureh, Angwin, Anthony J., Cheng, Bonnie B.Y., Liddle, Jacki, Worthy, Peter, Wiles, Janet H., Angus, Daniel and Wallace, Sarah J. (2023). Putting “the broken bits together”: A qualitative exploration of the impact of communication changes in dementia. Journal of Communication Disorders, 101 106294, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106294
2022
Journal Article
Exploring the measurement of pediatric cognitive-communication disorders in traumatic brain injury research: a scoping review
Crumlish, Lauren, Wallace, Sarah J., Copley, Anna and Rose, Tanya A. (2022). Exploring the measurement of pediatric cognitive-communication disorders in traumatic brain injury research: a scoping review. Brain Injury, 36 (10-11), 1207-1227. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2111026
2022
Conference Publication
Driving and aphasia following stroke: a scoping review
Wallace, Helen E., Wallace, Sarah J., Gullo, Hannah L. and Copland, David A. (2022). Driving and aphasia following stroke: a scoping review. Smart Strokes 2022, Sydney, NSW Australia, 18-19 August 2022. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930221115480
2022
Journal Article
Aphasia outcome measurement in clinical practice: an international survey
Tyler, Chloe, Finch, Emma, Shrubsole, Kirstine, Ryan, Brooke, Soroli, Efstathia, Martinez-Ferreiro, Silvia and Wallace, Sarah J. (2022). Aphasia outcome measurement in clinical practice: an international survey. Aphasiology, 37 (10), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2022.2112143
2022
Conference Publication
Experiences, priorities and unmet needs of 62 people living with aphasia and significant others across remote, regional and metropolitan Australia
Anemaat, Lisa N., Palmer, Victoria J., Copland, David A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2022). Experiences, priorities and unmet needs of 62 people living with aphasia and significant others across remote, regional and metropolitan Australia. Smart Strokes 2022, Sydney, NSWAustralia, 18-19 August 2022. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/17474930221115480
2022
Conference Publication
Developing equitable stroke research through aphasia-inclusive research practices: supporting stroke researchers through practical training and tips
Shiggins, Ciara, Ryan, Brooke, Elston, Amanda, O'Halloran, R., Power, E., Wallace, S. J., Pierce, J. E., Togher, L. and Rose, M. L. (2022). Developing equitable stroke research through aphasia-inclusive research practices: supporting stroke researchers through practical training and tips. LONDON: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD.
2022
Conference Publication
Co-Designing aphasia services for regional and remote Queensland: Experiences and unmet needs of speech pathologists managing aphasia care
Anemaat, Lisa, Palmer, Victoria, Copland, David and Wallace, Sarah (2022). Co-Designing aphasia services for regional and remote Queensland: Experiences and unmet needs of speech pathologists managing aphasia care. STROKE 2022, 31st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia, Christchurch, New Zealand, 31 August - 2 September 2022. London, United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.
2022
Journal Article
Ethical conversations: The complexities of shared decision making in aged care
Scarinci, Nerina , Holm, Alison , Toressi, Kym and Wallace, Sarah (2022). Ethical conversations: The complexities of shared decision making in aged care. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 24 (2), 96-99. doi: 10.1080/22087168.2022.12370363
2022
Journal Article
Exploring dimensions of quality-of-life in survivors of stroke with communication disabilities – a brief report
Thayabaranathan, T., Baker, C., Andrew, N. E., Stolwyk, R., Thrift, A. G., Carter, H., Moss, K., Kim, J., Wallace, S. J., Brogan, E., Grimley, R., Lannin, N. A., Rose, M. L. and Cadilhac, D. A. (2022). Exploring dimensions of quality-of-life in survivors of stroke with communication disabilities – a brief report. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 30 (6), 1-6. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2022.2095087
2022
Journal Article
“Self-management has to be the way of the future”: exploring the perspectives of speech-language pathologists who work with people with aphasia.
Nichol, Leana , Rodriguez, Amy D. , Pitt, Rachelle , Wallace, Sarah J. and Hill, Annie J. (2022). “Self-management has to be the way of the future”: exploring the perspectives of speech-language pathologists who work with people with aphasia.. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 25 (2), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2022.2055144
2022
Journal Article
Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: perspectives of people with aphasia on receiving information about recovery
Cheng, B. B. Y., Ryan, B. J., Copland, D. A. and Wallace, S.J. (2022). Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: perspectives of people with aphasia on receiving information about recovery. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 33 (5), 1-32. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2022.2051565
2022
Journal Article
Operationalising treatment success in aphasia rehabilitation
Breitenstein, Caterina, Hilari, Katerina, Menahemi-Falkov, Maya, Rose, Miranda L., Wallace, Sarah J., Brady, Marian C., Hillis, Argye E., Kiran, Swathi, Szaflarski, Jerzy P., Donna C. Tippett, Evy Visch-Brink and Klaus Willmes (2022). Operationalising treatment success in aphasia rehabilitation. Aphasiology, 37 (11), 1-40. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2021.2016594
2022
Journal Article
Prognostication in poststroke aphasia: perspectives of significant others of people with aphasia on receiving information about recovery
Cheng, Bonnie B. Y., Ryan, Brooke J., Copland, David A and Wallace, Sarah J (2022). Prognostication in poststroke aphasia: perspectives of significant others of people with aphasia on receiving information about recovery. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31 (2), 896-911. doi: 10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00170
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Sarah Wallace is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Measuring Conversation in Aphasia: Development of an Outcome Measure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
Unspoken, Unheard, Unmet: Improving Access to Preventative Health Care through Better Conversations about Care.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
How can we help people with aphasia return to driving following stroke?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Copland, Dr Hannah Gullo
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Unspoken, Unheard, Unmet: Improving Access to Preventative Health Care through Better Conversations about Care.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
International Stakeholder Perspectives, Experiences, and Priorities for Aphasia Awareness: Co-design of a Unified Campaign
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
International Stakeholder Perspectives, Experiences, and Priorities for Aphasia Awareness: Co-design of a Unified Campaign
Principal Advisor
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Co-Designing Technology-Enhanced Training for Aged Care Workers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Worthy
Completed supervision
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2025
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
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2025
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
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
International Stakeholder Perspectives, Experiences, and Priorities for Aphasia Awareness: Co-design of a Unified Campaign
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The M.O.S.T-Project: Meaningful Outcomes for School-aged Children and Adolescents with Cognitive-Communication Disorders arising from Traumatic Brain Injuries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin, Dr Tanya Rose
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Using experience-based co-design to understand unmet needs and priorities across the continuum of care: A blueprint for aphasia service development
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Copland
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Copland
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Self-management of aphasia: building and supporting a communication infrastructure
Associate Advisor
Media
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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