Dr Natalie Hegarty - MISLToe SSD

Natalie Hegarty, BSs, PhD

I have been a Lecturer in the Speech and Language Therapy Department within the School of Health Sciences at Ulster University, Northern Ireland, since 2024. Prior to this role, I completed a BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Sciences at Newcastle University in 2014, followed by a PhD in Evidence-Based Practice in Paediatric Speech Sound Disorders at Ulster University (2015–2019). This doctoral research led to the co-production of SuSSD, an evidence-based resource designed to support speech and language therapists in the assessment and intervention of children with phonological delay or consistent phonological disorder.

Clinically, I have worked in both private practice and within the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts from 2019 to 2024, while continuing to maintain a clinical role alongside my academic work. During this time, I progressed to the role of Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, specialising in working with children with additional needs. I also completed a postgraduate qualification in Dysphagia at Ulster University in 2023.

Current Research

My clinical and research interests include speech sound disorders, evidence-based practice, outcome measurement, and the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) across paediatric populations.

I am an early-career researcher and joined the MISLToe_SSD team in 2025, with a particular focus on supporting the implementation of the Core Outcome Set within the Northern Ireland healthcare system. I am also currently involved with research exploring the early identification of speech, language and communication needs, as well as the co-production of an AAC resource for autistic children with speech, language and communication needs.

Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4271-6330

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-hegarty-820877120

Research Gate: researchgate.net

Pure: Natalie Hegarty – Ulster University

SuSSD website: SuSSD: Supporting and Understanding speech sound disorder | Ulster University Research and Innovation