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
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
2022
Journal Article
“There are endless areas that they can use it for”: speech-language pathologist perspectives of technology support for aphasia self-management
Nichol, Leana, Pitt, Rachelle, Wallace, Sarah J., Rodriguez, Amy D. and Hill, Annie J. (2022). “There are endless areas that they can use it for”: speech-language pathologist perspectives of technology support for aphasia self-management. Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, 18 (8), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2037758
2022
Journal Article
Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: speech pathologists’ clinical insights on formulating and delivering information about recovery
Cheng, Bonnie B. Y., Ryan, Brooke, Copland, David A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2022). Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: speech pathologists’ clinical insights on formulating and delivering information about recovery. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (18), 5046-5059. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1922514
2021
Journal Article
Minimum data and core outcomes for subacute rehabilitation: A scoping review
Lowe, Joshua R., Wallace, Sarah J., Sam, Sonia and Young, Adrienne (2021). Minimum data and core outcomes for subacute rehabilitation: A scoping review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 36 (3), 1-19. doi: 10.1177/02692155211060468
2021
Journal Article
Using experience-based codesign to coproduce aphasia rehabilitation services: study protocol
Anemaat, Lisa, Palmer, Victoria J., Copland, David A., Mainstone, Kathryn, Druery, Kent, Druery, Julia, Aisthorpe, Bruce, Binge, Geoffrey, Mainstone, Penelope and Wallace, Sarah J. (2021). Using experience-based codesign to coproduce aphasia rehabilitation services: study protocol. BMJ Open, 11 (11) 047398, e047398. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047398
2021
Journal Article
People with aphasia share their views on self-management and the role of technology to support self-management of aphasia
Nichol, Leana, Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle, Rodriguez, Amy D., Diong, Zhi Zhi and Hill, Annie J. (2021). People with aphasia share their views on self-management and the role of technology to support self-management of aphasia. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (24), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1989501
2021
Conference Publication
Operationalisierung des Therapieerfolgs in der Aphasierehabilitation
Breitenstein, C., Hilari, K., Menahemi-Falkov, M., Rose, M. L., Wallace, S. J., Brady, M. C., Hillis, A. E., Kiran, S., Szaflarski, J. P., Tippett, D. C., Visch-Brink, E. and Willmes, K. (2021). Operationalisierung des Therapieerfolgs in der Aphasierehabilitation . German Society for Aphasia Research and Treatment (GAB) Conference, Germany, 7-9 October 2021. doi: 10.14624/NR21S1001
2021
Conference Publication
Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: Patients' perceptions and preferences in receiving information about recovery
Cheng, B. Y., Ryan, B., Copland, D. A. and Wallace, S. J. (2021). Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: Patients' perceptions and preferences in receiving information about recovery. LONDON: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD.
2021
Journal Article
Core outcome set use in poststroke aphasia treatment research: examining barriers and facilitators to implementation using the theoretical domains framework
Wallace, Sarah J., Sullivan, Bridget, Rose, Tanya A., Worrall, Linda, Le Dorze, Guylaine and Shrubsole, Kirstine (2021). Core outcome set use in poststroke aphasia treatment research: examining barriers and facilitators to implementation using the theoretical domains framework. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 64 (10), 1-14. doi: 10.1044/2021_jslhr-20-00683
2021
Journal Article
An aphasia research agenda – a consensus statement from the collaboration of aphasia trialists
Ali, Myzoon, Soroli, Efstathia, Jesus, Luis M. T., Cruice, Madeline, Isaksen, Jytte, Visch-Brink, Evy, Grohmann, Kleanthes K., Jagoe, C., Kukkonen, Tarja, Varlokosta, Spyridoula, Hernandez-Sacristan, Carlos, Rosell-Clari, Vicente, Palmer, Rebecca, Martinez-Ferreiro, Silvia, Godecke, Erin, Wallace, Sarah J., McMenamin, Ruth, Copland, David, Breitenstein, Caterina, Bowen, Audrey, Laska, Ann-Charlotte, Hilari, Katerina, Brady, Marian C. and behalf of the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) (2021). An aphasia research agenda – a consensus statement from the collaboration of aphasia trialists. Aphasiology, 36 (4), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2021.1957081
2021
Journal Article
Protocol for the development of the international population registry for aphasia after stroke (I-PRAISE)
Ali, M., Ben Basat, A. Lifshitz, Berthier, M., Blom Johansson, M., Breitenstein, C., Cadilhac, D. A., Constantinidou, F., Cruice, M., Davila, G., Gandolfi, M., Gil, M., Grima, R., Godecke, E., Jesus, L., Jiminez, L. Martinez, Kambanaros, M., Kukkonen, T., Laska, A., Mavis, I., Mc Menamin, R., Mendez-Orellana, C., Obrig, H., Ostberg, P., Robson, H., Sage, K., Van De Sandt-Koenderman, M., Sprecht, K., Visch-Brink, E., Wehling, E. ... Brady, M. C. (2021). Protocol for the development of the international population registry for aphasia after stroke (I-PRAISE). Aphasiology, 36 (4), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2021.1914813
2021
Book Chapter
Treatment efficacy and therapy outcomes
Wallace, Sarah J., Shrubsole, Kirstine and Brady, Marian C. (2021). Treatment efficacy and therapy outcomes. Aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders. (pp. 129-158) edited by Ilias Papathanasiou, Patrick Coppens and Constantin Potagas. Burlington, MA United States: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
2021
Journal Article
Do caregivers who connect online have better outcomes? A systematic review of online peer-support interventions for caregivers of people with stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
Wallace, Sarah J., Kothari, Janaki, Jayasekera, Anushki, Tointon, Jessica, Baiyewun, Toluwalase and Shrubsole, Kirstine (2021). Do caregivers who connect online have better outcomes? A systematic review of online peer-support interventions for caregivers of people with stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Brain Impairment, 22 (3) PII S144396462100005X, 233-259. doi: 10.1017/brimp.2021.5
2021
Journal Article
Communication partner perspectives of aphasia self-management and the role of technology: an in-depth qualitative exploration
Nichol, Leana, Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle, Rodriguez, Amy D. and Hill, Annie J. (2021). Communication partner perspectives of aphasia self-management and the role of technology: an in-depth qualitative exploration. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (23), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1988153
2020
Journal Article
Many ways of measuring: a scoping review of measurement instruments for use with people with aphasia
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Le Dorze, Guylaine, Brandenburg, Caitlin, Foulkes, Jessica and Rose, Tanya A. (2020). Many ways of measuring: a scoping review of measurement instruments for use with people with aphasia. Aphasiology, 36 (4), 401-466. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2020.1836318
2020
Journal Article
Establishing consensus on a definition of aphasia: an e-Delphi study of international aphasia researchers
Berg, Karianne, Isaksen, Jytte, Wallace, Sarah J., Cruice, Madeline, Simmons-Mackie, Nina and Worrall, Linda (2020). Establishing consensus on a definition of aphasia: an e-Delphi study of international aphasia researchers. Aphasiology, 36 (4), 385-400. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2020.1852003
2020
Journal Article
A single, early aged care experience improves speech-language pathology students’ attitudes towards older people, communication confidence, and career aspirations in aged care
Wallace, Sarah J., Mathew, Akhila, Mandrusiak, Allison and Hatton, Anna (2020). A single, early aged care experience improves speech-language pathology students’ attitudes towards older people, communication confidence, and career aspirations in aged care. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 23 (3), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2020.1779346
2020
Journal Article
Prognostication in post‐stroke aphasia: how do speech pathologists formulate and deliver information about recovery?
Cheng, Bonnie B. Y., Worrall, Linda E., Copland, David A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2020). Prognostication in post‐stroke aphasia: how do speech pathologists formulate and deliver information about recovery?. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 55 (4) 1460-6984.12534, 520-536. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12534
2019
Journal Article
Beyond the statistics: a research agenda in aphasia awareness
Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Worrall, Linda, Shiggins, Ciara, Isaksen, Jytte, McMenamin, Ruth, Rose, Tanya, Guo, Yiting Emily and Wallace, Sarah J. (2019). Beyond the statistics: a research agenda in aphasia awareness. Aphasiology, 34 (4), 458-471. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1702847
2019
Journal Article
Current practice and barriers and facilitators to outcome measurement in aphasia rehabilitation: a cross-sectional study using the theoretical domains framework
Arnold, Hayley, Wallace, Sarah J., Ryan, Brooke, Finch, Emma and Shrubsole, Kirstine (2019). Current practice and barriers and facilitators to outcome measurement in aphasia rehabilitation: a cross-sectional study using the theoretical domains framework. Aphasiology, 34 (1), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1678090
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
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
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
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 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
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
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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