Associate Professor Sarah Wallace
Associate Professor

Sarah Wallace

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+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)

81 - 100 of 103 works

2019

Journal Article

Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care

Rose, Tanya A., Wallace, Sarah J. and Leow, Sibin (2019). Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 21 (5), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2019.1651396

Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care

2019

Journal Article

The effectiveness of biographical approaches in long-term care: a systematic review

Menn, Lara, Corsten, Sabine, Lauer, Norina and Wallace, Sarah Jane (2019). The effectiveness of biographical approaches in long-term care: a systematic review. The Gerontologist, 60 (4), e309-e328. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnz074

The effectiveness of biographical approaches in long-term care: a systematic review

2019

Journal Article

High-technology augmentative and alternative communication in poststroke aphasia: a review of the factors that contribute to successful augmentative and alternative communication use

Taylor, Shannon, Wallace, Sarah Jane and Wallace, Sarah Elizabeth (2019). High-technology augmentative and alternative communication in poststroke aphasia: a review of the factors that contribute to successful augmentative and alternative communication use. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 4 (3), 1-10. doi: 10.1044/2019_pers-sig2-2018-0016

High-technology augmentative and alternative communication in poststroke aphasia: a review of the factors that contribute to successful augmentative and alternative communication use

2019

Journal Article

A how-to guide to aphasia services: celebrating Professor Linda Worrall’s contribution to the field

Wallace, Sarah J., Baker, Caroline, Brandenburg, Caitlin, Bryant, Lucy, Le Dorze, Guylaine, Power, Emma, Pritchard, Madeleine, Rose, Miranda L., Rose, Tanya, Ryan, Brooke, Shrubsole, Kirstine, Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Togher, Leanne and Trebilcock, Megan (2019). A how-to guide to aphasia services: celebrating Professor Linda Worrall’s contribution to the field. Aphasiology, 33 (7), 888-902. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1609774

A how-to guide to aphasia services: celebrating Professor Linda Worrall’s contribution to the field

2019

Journal Article

Self-management of aphasia: a scoping review

Nichol, Leana, Hill, Annie J., Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle, Baker, Caroline and Rodriguez, Amy D. (2019). Self-management of aphasia: a scoping review. Aphasiology, 33 (8), 1-40. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1575065

Self-management of aphasia: a scoping review

2018

Conference Publication

Exploring speech-language pathologists’ perspectives of aphasia self-management: a qualitative study

Nichol, Leana, Hill, Annie J., Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle and Rodriguez, Amy D. (2018). Exploring speech-language pathologists’ perspectives of aphasia self-management: a qualitative study. International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC) , Aveiro, Portugal, 5-7 September 2018. Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1470603

Exploring speech-language pathologists’ perspectives of aphasia self-management: a qualitative study

2018

Journal Article

Aphasia education: speech-language pathologists’ perspectives regarding current and optimal practice

Rose, Tanya A., Balse, Anita, Osmond, Sarah, Poon, Angela, Simons, Natasha and Wallace, Sarah J. (2018). Aphasia education: speech-language pathologists’ perspectives regarding current and optimal practice. Aphasiology, 32 (8), 967-988. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1472366

Aphasia education: speech-language pathologists’ perspectives regarding current and optimal practice

2018

Conference Publication

Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care

Rose, Tanya A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2018). Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care. International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC), University of Aveiro, Portugal, 5-7 September 2018. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1487009

Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care

2018

Conference Publication

Report from ROMA: an update on the development of a core outcome set for aphasia research

Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, T., Le Dorze, G., Kirke, E. and Kolomeitz, D. (2018). Report from ROMA: an update on the development of a core outcome set for aphasia research. 18th International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC), Aveiro, Portugal, 5-7 September 2018. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1487020

Report from ROMA: an update on the development of a core outcome set for aphasia research

2017

Journal Article

Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health to identify outcome domains for a core outcome set for aphasia: a comparison of stakeholder perspectives

Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2017). Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health to identify outcome domains for a core outcome set for aphasia: a comparison of stakeholder perspectives. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41 (5), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1400593

Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health to identify outcome domains for a core outcome set for aphasia: a comparison of stakeholder perspectives

2017

Journal Article

Discourse measurement in aphasia research: have we reached the tipping point? A core outcome set … or greater standardisation of discourse measures?

Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda E., Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2017). Discourse measurement in aphasia research: have we reached the tipping point? A core outcome set … or greater standardisation of discourse measures?. Aphasiology, 32 (4), 479-482. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2017.1398811

Discourse measurement in aphasia research: have we reached the tipping point? A core outcome set … or greater standardisation of discourse measures?

2017

Journal Article

Which outcomes are most important to people with aphasia and their families? An international nominal group technique study framed within the ICF

Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya, Le Dorze, Guylaine, Cruice, Madeline, Isaksen, Jytte, Pak Hin Kong, Anthony, Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Scarinci, Nerina and Alary Gauvreau, Christine (2017). Which outcomes are most important to people with aphasia and their families? An international nominal group technique study framed within the ICF. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (14), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1194899

Which outcomes are most important to people with aphasia and their families? An international nominal group technique study framed within the ICF

2017

Conference Publication

Results of an international consensus meeting to develop a core outcome set for aphasia treatment research

Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya, Le Dorze, Guylaine and Rochon, Elizabeth (2017). Results of an international consensus meeting to develop a core outcome set for aphasia treatment research. Academy of Aphasia 55th Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD USA, 5-7 November 2017. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers Research Foundation. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2017.223.00072

Results of an international consensus meeting to develop a core outcome set for aphasia treatment research

2017

Journal Article

Which treatment outcomes are most important to aphasia clinicians and managers? An international e-Delphi consensus study

Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2017). Which treatment outcomes are most important to aphasia clinicians and managers? An international e-Delphi consensus study. Aphasiology, 31 (6), 643-673. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2016.1186265

Which treatment outcomes are most important to aphasia clinicians and managers? An international e-Delphi consensus study

2016

Other Outputs

Improving research outcome measurement in aphasia: Development of a core outcome set

Wallace, Sarah J. (2016). Improving research outcome measurement in aphasia: Development of a core outcome set. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.61

Improving research outcome measurement in aphasia: Development of a core outcome set

2016

Journal Article

Core outcomes in aphasia treatment research: an e-Delphi consensus study of international aphasia researchers

Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda E., Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2016). Core outcomes in aphasia treatment research: an e-Delphi consensus study of international aphasia researchers. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 25 (4S), S729-S742. doi: 10.1044/2016_AJSLP-15-0150

Core outcomes in aphasia treatment research: an e-Delphi consensus study of international aphasia researchers

2016

Journal Article

Let’s call it “aphasia”: rationales for eliminating the term “dysphasia”

Worrall, Linda, Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Wallace, Sarah J., Rose, Tanya, Brady, Marian C., Kong, Anthony Pak Hin, Murray, Laura and Hallowell, Brooke (2016). Let’s call it “aphasia”: rationales for eliminating the term “dysphasia”. International Journal of Stroke, 11 (8), 848-851. doi: 10.1177/1747493016654487

Let’s call it “aphasia”: rationales for eliminating the term “dysphasia”

2016

Book Chapter

Aphasia in later life

Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya, Brandenburg, Caitlin, Rohde, Alexia, Berg, Karianne and Wallace, Sarah J. (2016). Aphasia in later life. Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. (pp. 1-7) edited by A. N. Pachana. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_346-1

Aphasia in later life

2015

Journal Article

The ICF, Relationship-Centred Care and Research Outcome Measurement: Carol Frattali's Impact on Aphasia Research

Worrall, Linda and Wallace, Sarah (2015). The ICF, Relationship-Centred Care and Research Outcome Measurement: Carol Frattali's Impact on Aphasia Research. SIG 2 Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders, 25 (3), 107-113. doi: 10.1044/nnsld25.3.107

The ICF, Relationship-Centred Care and Research Outcome Measurement: Carol Frattali's Impact on Aphasia Research

2015

Journal Article

An international perspective on quality of life in aphasia: a survey of clinician views and practices from sixteen countries

Hilari, Katerina, Klippi, Anu, Constantinidou, Fofi, Horton, Simon, Penn, Claire, Raymer, Anastasia, Wallace, Sarah, Zemva, Nada and Worrall, Linda (2015). An international perspective on quality of life in aphasia: a survey of clinician views and practices from sixteen countries. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedia, 67 (3), 119-130. doi: 10.1159/000434748

An international perspective on quality of life in aphasia: a survey of clinician views and practices from sixteen countries

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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