Human Communication, Learning, and Development

Our academics, clinical educators and teacher educators in the Academic Unit of Human Communication, Learning, and Development (HCLD) are committed to the education of teachers, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists. We teach in the BA&BEd, BEd(ECE&SE), BSc(ACD), BSc(SLP), MEd, MSc(Audiology), and PGDE and supervise MPhil, PhD and EdD research postgraduate students. 

We are leaders in research in: 

• Communication Sciences and Disorders: speech and language development and disorders; hearing sciences and disorders; bi/multilingualism; speech science; voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders 

• Learning Sciences: child development; cognition; brain development; special, inclusive, gifted education and disabilities; educational psychology; counselling; science of learning; measurement 

• Developmental Sciences: child development; brain development; early childhood education; special education; school readiness; human learning and development; developmental psychology; diversity; culture and cultural studies  

We are committed to conducting innovative research that is of significance locally and internationally. We conduct basic and translational research that directly impacts schools, and speech-language therapy and audiology clinics with a focus on improving the quality of life for the people of Hong Kong. We provide training and workshops for children, parents, teachers, and clinicians in Hong Kong and elsewhere. 

Our research is funded through local and international grants and is conducted in schools and other educational institutions, community healthcare and instructional settings, and the following ten research laboratories: Aphasia Research and Therapy; Clinical Hearing Sciences; Complex Neural Signals Decoding; Science of Happiness and Positive Education; Speech and Music Perception; Speech and Neuromodulation; Speech, Language & Reading; Speech Science; Swallowing Research; and Voice Research. We participate in the Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education (CAISE); Centre for Advancement of Chinese Language Education and Research (CACLER); Consortium for Research on Early Childhood Development and Education (CORE); and Consortium for Research on Language Policy and Practice (CRLPP). 

Our scholars are recognised by awards and honours including the RGC Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship, RGC Research Fellowship, Quality Education Fund (QEF), Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) project funds, and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Fellowship.  

HCLD is home to the Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, which provides the local community with quality speech therapy and audiological services that meet the unique communication needs of clients and their families. The clinic is at the Kennedy Town Centre building.