Overview
Background
Professor David Copland is a Speech Pathologist conducting research in the areas of aphasia, language neuroscience, psycholinguistics, and neuroimaging of normal and disordered language. He is Director of the Queensland Aphasia Research Centre (https://shrs.uq.edu.au/qarc), Co-Director of the STARS Education Research Alliance (https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/stars/education-research-alliance), Co-Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation and Recovery (https://www.latrobe.edu.au/research/centres/health/aphasia) and Deputy Chair of the Research and Postgraduate Studies Committee of the UQ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Availability
- Professor David Copland is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Speech Pathology, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Post-stroke aphasia
Treatment of word retrieval post-stroke Implementation of comprehensive high dose aphasia treatment Neural mechanisms underpinning aphasia treatment Neurobiological and behavioural predictors of aphasia recovery Cognition and aphasia
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Pharmacological and behavioural modulation of language and word learning
Behavioural and neuroimaging studies of dopamine Influence of sleep and exercise on word learning Dopaminergic modulation of new word learning
Research impacts
Co-developer of Comprehensive High Dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) program delivered at STARS Hospital and Director of the Queensland Aphasia Research Centre
Works
Search Professor David Copland’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Priorities for post-stroke aphasia service development: prioritisation phase of an experience-based co-design study
Anemaat, Lisa, Palmer, Victoria J., Copland, David A., Binge, Geoffrey, Druery, Kent, Druery, Julia, Mainstone, Kathryn, Aisthorpe, Bruce and Wallace, Sarah J (2025). Priorities for post-stroke aphasia service development: prioritisation phase of an experience-based co-design study. Clinical Rehabilitation, 39 (3), 353-365. doi: 10.1177/02692155241310579
2025
Journal Article
The core components of clinical planning for Comprehensive, High‐dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT): A task analysis
Levine, Rachel, Dignam, Jade, Shrubsole, Kirstine, McSween, Marie‐Pier, Hill, Annie J. and Copland, David A. (2025). The core components of clinical planning for Comprehensive, High‐dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT): A task analysis. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 60 (2) e70021, e70021-2. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.70021
2025
Journal Article
Uncovering language deficits in focal epilepsy: Beyond the limits of noun naming and verbal fluency
Reardon, A. D., Gillinder, L., Copland, D. A., McMahon, K. L. and Brownsett, S. L.E. (2025). Uncovering language deficits in focal epilepsy: Beyond the limits of noun naming and verbal fluency. Epilepsy and Behavior, 163 110181, 110181. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.110181
2025
Journal Article
Early subacute frontal callosal microstructure and language outcomes after stroke
Vadinova, Veronika, Brownsett, Sonia L. E., Garden, Kimberley L., Roxbury, Tracy, O’Brien, Katherine, Copland, David A., McMahon, Katie L. and Sihvonen, Aleksi J. (2025). Early subacute frontal callosal microstructure and language outcomes after stroke. Brain Communications, 7 (1) fcae370, fcae370. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae370
2025
Journal Article
Implementation of the Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) program: “A different way of operating”
Dignam, Jade K., Shrubsole, Kirstine, O’Brien, Kate, Bassett, Lynell, Burfein, Penni, Hickey, Natalie, Roxas, Katherine, Wedley, Hannah, Massoud, Nicole, Singh, Jasmina and Copland, David (2025). Implementation of the Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) program: “A different way of operating”. Aphasiology, 39 (1), 64-92. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2023.2287766
2024
Journal Article
Aphasia centre science: what makes an aphasia centre work?
Forrester, Bridget, Anemaat, Lisa, McSween, Marie-Pier, Copland, David A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). Aphasia centre science: what makes an aphasia centre work?. Aphasiology, 1-20. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2024.2425000
2024
Journal Article
An international core outcome set for primary progressive aphasia (COS-PPA): Consensus-based recommendations for communication interventions across research and clinical settings
Volkmer, Anna, Alves, Emily Viega, Bar-Zeev, Hagit, Barbieri, Elena, Battista, Petronilla, Beales, Ashleigh, Beber, Barbara Costa, Brotherhood, Emilie, Cadorio, Ines Ribeiro, Carthery-Goulart, Maria Teresa, Cartwright, Jade, Crutch, Sebastian, Croot, Karen, Freitas, Maria Isabel D Ávila, Gallée, Jeanne, Grasso, Stephanie M., Haley, Katarina, Hendriksen, Heleen, Henderson, Shalom, Jiskoot, Lize, Almeida, Isabel Junqueira, Kindell, Jackie, Kingma, Rachel, Kwan-Chen, Lorinda Ly, Lavoie, Monica, Lifshitz-Ben-Basat, Adi, Jokel, Regina, Mahut-Dubos, Aurore, Matias-Guiu, Jordi A. ... Hardy, Chris J. D. (2024). An international core outcome set for primary progressive aphasia (COS-PPA): Consensus-based recommendations for communication interventions across research and clinical settings. Alzheimer's and Dementia, 21 (1) e14362. doi: 10.1002/alz.14362
2024
Journal Article
A modified intensive, comprehensive aphasia program (mICAP) has better reported outcomes than usual care: a randomized controlled trial
Worrall, Linda E., Rodriguez, Amy D., Dignam, Jade K., Hill, Anne J., Khan, Asaduzzaman, O’Connor, Denise A., Pattie, Moya, Ward, Elizabeth C., McKinnon, Eril, Allan, Renee and Copland, David A. (2024). A modified intensive, comprehensive aphasia program (mICAP) has better reported outcomes than usual care: a randomized controlled trial. Aphasiology, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2024.2424493
2024
Journal Article
Establishing quality indicators and implementation priorities for post-stroke aphasia services through end-user involvement
Shrubsole, Kirstine, Stone, Marissa, Cadilhac, Dominique A., Kilkenny, Monique F., Power, Emma, Lynch, Elizabeth, Pierce, John E., Copland, David A., Godecke, Erin, Burton, Bridget, Brogan, Emily and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). Establishing quality indicators and implementation priorities for post-stroke aphasia services through end-user involvement. Health Expectations, 27 (5) e14173, 1-18. doi: 10.1111/hex.14173
2024
Journal Article
“It’s the car, that is the wor, that is worst .” The importance of driving and experience of driving cessation for people with aphasia post-stroke: a systematic search and review
Wallace, Helen E., Gullo, Hannah L., Copland, David A., Rotherham, Annette and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). “It’s the car, that is the wor, that is worst .” The importance of driving and experience of driving cessation for people with aphasia post-stroke: a systematic search and review. Aphasiology, 1-27. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2024.2406462
2024
Journal Article
Impact of quality of care on outcomes in survivors of stroke with aphasia: A linked registry and hospital data observational study
Thayabaranathan, Tharshanah, Wallace, Sarah J., Kim, Joosup, Kilkenny, Monique F., Olaiya, Muideen T., Andrew, Nadine E., Brogan, Emily, Baker, Caroline, Godecke, Erin, Copland, David A., Rose, Miranda L., Birhanu, Mulugeta M. and Cadilhac, Dominique A. (2024). Impact of quality of care on outcomes in survivors of stroke with aphasia: A linked registry and hospital data observational study. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 466 123251, 123251. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123251
2024
Journal Article
Return to work for stroke survivors with aphasia: a quantitative scoping review
Burfein, P., Roxbury, T., Doig, E. J., McSween, M-P., de Silva, N. and Copland, D. A. (2024). Return to work for stroke survivors with aphasia: a quantitative scoping review. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1-35. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2024.2381874
2024
Conference Publication
Quality of stroke care and outcomes for people with and without aphasia within Australian rehabilitation hospitals.
Stone, Marissa, Wallace, Sarah J., Copland, David, Burns, Catherine, Cadilhac, Dominique A., Hill, Kelvin and Kilkenny, Monique F. (2024). Quality of stroke care and outcomes for people with and without aphasia within Australian rehabilitation hospitals.. International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 1-3 July 2024.
2024
Journal Article
High-intensity aphasia intervention is minimally fatiguing in chronic aphasia: an analysis of participant self-ratings from a large randomized controlled trial
Pierce, John E., Cavanaugh, Robert, Harvey, Sam, Dickey, Michael Walsh, Nickels, Lyndsey, Copland, David, Togher, Leanne, Godecke, Erin, Meinzer, Marcus, Rai, Tapan, Cadilhac, Dominique A., Kim, Joosup, Hurley, Melanie, Foster, Abby M., Carragher, Marcella, Wilcox, Cassie and Rose, Miranda L. (2024). High-intensity aphasia intervention is minimally fatiguing in chronic aphasia: an analysis of participant self-ratings from a large randomized controlled trial. Stroke, 55 (7), 1877-1885. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.046031
2024
Journal Article
An exploratory study of longitudinal trajectory of language, swallowing and cognition post endovascular clot retrieval
D'Netto, Pamela, Finch, Emma, Rumbach, Anna and Copland, David A. (2024). An exploratory study of longitudinal trajectory of language, swallowing and cognition post endovascular clot retrieval. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 59 (4), 1386-1397. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.13006
2024
Journal Article
Qualitative exploration of speech pathologists' experiences and priorities for aphasia service design: initial stage of an experience‐based co‐design project to improve aphasia services
Anemaat, Lisa, Palmer, Victoria J., Copland, David A., Binge, Geoffrey, Druery, Kent, Druery, Julia, Mainstone, Kathryn, Aisthorpe, Bruce, Mainstone, Penelope and Wallace, Sarah J. (2024). Qualitative exploration of speech pathologists' experiences and priorities for aphasia service design: initial stage of an experience‐based co‐design project to improve aphasia services. Health Expectations, 27 (3) e14105. doi: 10.1111/hex.14105
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
2024
Journal Article
Allied health clinicians’ uptake of evidence in stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review of determinants targeted in implementation studies
Levine, Rachel, Zingelman, Sally, McSween, Marie-Pier, Shrubsole, Kirstine, Hill, Annie Jane and Copland, David A. (2024). Allied health clinicians’ uptake of evidence in stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review of determinants targeted in implementation studies. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 105 (5), 988-999. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.08.018
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
2024
Journal Article
Structural brain networks correlating with poststroke cognition
Brownsett, Sonia L. E., Carey, Leeanne M., Copland, David, Walsh, Alistair and Sihvonen, Aleksi J. (2024). Structural brain networks correlating with poststroke cognition. Human Brain Mapping, 45 (5) e26665, 1-13. doi: 10.1002/hbm.26665
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor David Copland is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Clinical implementation of an intensive comprehensive aphasia treatment
The University of Queensland is establishing the Queensland Aphasia Rehabilitation Centre (QARC), the first specialist aphasia research and rehabilitation centre in Australia. In partnership with Queensland Health, the QARC will deliver state-of-the-art services to people with aphasia and their families. Using a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design, this UQ funded PhD project will evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the UQ LIFT (Language Impairment and Function Therapy) program on impact on communicative function, mental health and quality of life within a real-world clinical setting. Qualitative methods will be employed to (1) describe the contextual factors which influence treatment fidelity and clinician and patient participation in the intervention; and (2) identify barriers and facilitators to implementation. This project would suit candidates with a background in speech pathology. Chief investigators: Dr Sarah Wallace and Professor David Copland
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Cost effectiveness of aphasia rehabilitation
The University of Queensland is establishing the Queensland Aphasia Rehabilitation Centre (QARC), the first specialist aphasia research and rehabilitation centre in Australia. In partnership with Queensland Health, the QARC will deliver state-of-the-art services to people with aphasia and their families. This UQ funded PhD project will involve a health economics investigation that will determine the cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive aphasia treatment program (UQ LIFT- Language Impairment and Function Therapy) implemented in a tertiary health facility. Resources and costs will be considered in relation to improvement on relevant communication scales and quality adjusted life years. This project would suit candidates with a background in speech pathology or health economics / public health. Chief investigator: Professor David Copland and Dr Sarah Wallace
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Neuroimaging of predictors in aphasia recovery
The aim of this NHMRC funded research and UQ funded PhD scholarship is to determine whether brain activity and structure observed after stroke predict subsequent aphasia (language impairment) recovery and response to treatment. Participants will be tested on a clinically language battery and scanned at 1, 3 and 6 months post-onset, with half the participants receiving treatment at 1 month. Imaging will be used to identify language-related brain activity, white matter tract integrity, and lesion-symptom mapping. Background in one or more of the following is required. Speech Pathology, Clinical Linguistics, Psychology, NeuroImaging, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Feasibility of a Communication Partner Training Programme for Bilingual Patients with Aphasia and Their Significant Others
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
Implementation of a Comprehensive High-Dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) Program
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole, Dr Jade Dignam
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Doctor Philosophy
Implementation of Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
Stimulating aphasia recovery with daily music listening post stroke
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Worthy
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Doctor Philosophy
Dopaminergic regulation of new word learning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka, Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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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: Associate Professor Sarah Wallace, Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring linguistic, cognitive and neurobiological factors that influence post-stroke aphasia
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
The Neural Mechanisms Underlying Timing in Language Processing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ross Cunnington, Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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Doctor Philosophy
Return to work for stroke survivors with aphasia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Emmah Doig
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Doctor Philosophy
Neuroimaging predictors of recovery of post-stroke aphasia: the role of early subacute white matter health
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
The feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of implementing structured and collaborative clinical planning for Comprehensive, High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jade Dignam, Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
Does brain connectivity predict post-stroke aphasia recovery and treatment response?
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
The feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of implementing structured and collaborative clinical planning for Comprehensive, High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jade Dignam, Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
Return to work for stroke survivors with aphasia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Emmah Doig
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Doctor Philosophy
Behavioral and neurological predictors of post-stroke aphasia recovery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stephen Wilson
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Doctor Philosophy
Describing the delivery and outcomes of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation in Australia using a minimum dataset
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarah Wallace
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Doctor Philosophy
The Neural Dynamics of Novel Word Learning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ross Cunnington, Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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Doctor Philosophy
Describing the delivery and outcomes of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation in Australia using a minimum dataset
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarah Wallace
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Doctor Philosophy
Implementation of Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jade Dignam, Dr Kirstine Shrubsole
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Doctor Philosophy
How can we help people with aphasia return to driving following stroke?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hannah Gullo, Associate Professor Sarah Wallace
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Doctor Philosophy
Using behavioural and functional imaging techniques to investigate language function in people with chronic epilepsy
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the Reliability and Validity of Presurgical Language Mapping in Refractory Epilepsy
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the Reliability and Validity of Presurgical Language Mapping in Refractory Epilepsy
Associate Advisor
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Stimulating aphasia recovery with daily music listening post stroke
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Worthy
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Age-related changes in functional brain activity and semantic processing during vocal music listening
Principal Advisor
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2023
Master Philosophy
Recurrent Perseveration in Post-stroke Aphasia: Current Theories and Direction for Treatment
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing Language Learning in Ageing with Exercise
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing cognition post-stroke using virtual reality technology
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Control of Language Production and its Neural Substrates in Parkinson's Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Factors influencing treatment-induced language recovery in chronic, post-stroke aphasia
Principal Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Neurophysiological Markers of Language Recovery in Subacute Stroke
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Language processing in autism spectrum disorders: Performance as a function of modality
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Mapping the brain mechanisms of naming treatment post-stroke
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The neurocognitive substrates of naming facilitation in aphasia: an fMRI investigation.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of Aging and Neurological Impairment on Bilingual Lexical-Semantic Representation and Processing
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Hemispheric contributions to language: A divided visual field investigation of semantic processing following unilateral lesions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacological Modulation of New World Learning in Young Healthy Adults and Naming Therapy for Aphasia
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Neuroimaging predictors of recovery of post-stroke aphasia: the role of early subacute white matter health
Associate Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
A Cohort Investigation of Language, Swallowing, and Cognitive Outcomes Post Endovascular Clot Retrieval
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anna Rumbach
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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
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarah Wallace
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The Effect of Sleep on Novel Word Learning in Healthy Adults
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarah Wallace
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Markers and Mechanisms of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gerard Byrne, Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Emotion processing and the broader autism phenotype
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Impact of conventional and high-definition transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) on learning and cognition
Associate Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Language disorder from infancy to adulthood: Predictors and outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Scott
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Performance-based measurement of participation for people with aphasia: Using an iPhone application to measure talking time in everyday life
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The role of perceptual symbols in the representation of semantic concepts in dementia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin
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2008
Master Philosophy
AN ONLINE INVESTIGATION OF OF IDIOM AND METAPHOR PROCESSING IN PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
The Effects of Subthalamic Stimulation on Language Processing in Parkinson's Disease
Associate Advisor
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
AN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF SEMANTIC AND SYNTACTIC ANOMALY PROCESSING IN SENTENCES: EFFECTS OF AGING AND FOCAL BRIAN LESIONS.
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
DOPAMINERGIC MODULATION OF LEXICAL-SEMANTIC AND SYNTACTIC PROCESSING: EVIDENCE FROM PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor David Copland directly for media enquiries about:
- Brain and language function
- Drugs - effect on language
- Language - effects of drugs
- Language - neuroimaging
- Language disorders and Parkinson's disease
- Language disorders and schizophrenia
- Language disorders following stroke
- Language function and brain
- Neuroimaging of language
- Parkinson's disease and language disorders
- Schizophrenia and language
- Stroke and language disorders
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