Our Research Matters team is working to support, share and shape research projects in ways that enable Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users to benefit from innovative ideas and better ways of working, learning and building relationships in all areas of life.
Why Research Matters?
Communication Matters is committed to encouraging AAC research.
Research drives progress, solves problems, and expands knowledge, ultimately improving lives and advancing society. It provides a foundation for informed decision-making, technological innovation, and evidence-based solutions.
Who joins Research Matters?
Research Matters aims to connect AAC users, their families, professionals, researchers and suppliers to opportunities to:
- Participate in research
- Support AAC users in participating and learning about research
- Provide advice or guidance to researchers
- Recommend new areas for research
- Connect with other research projects
About Research Matters
Research Matters is a network of people who are interested in research about, for, and with people who use AAC.
The group evolved from the Communication Matters’ Research Involvement Network, originally launched in 2011.
Join our next online meeting
Click the button to confirm your contact details and we will invite you to join the call.
AAC advocacy in research
We represent the research interest of the AAC community at national and international research networks.
Connecting people
We connect people with similar interests to advance research in the field of AAC.
Listening to your voice
We host 3 online meetings a year for people who want to connect with research in an open and informal forum. The next meeting date is: Wednesday 28 January 2026, 4-5pm
Newsletters
We send newsletters and updates on research outcomes and opportunities. Click the button below to subscribe today.
Sharing information
We share information about research to the AAC community, for example via the Communication Matters' YouTube Channel.
Mapping AAC research
Click on the categories below or the place markers on the map to see details of research projects, AAC groups and other professionals near you. You can choose which projects you would like to connect with – as an AAC user, family member, professional or researcher.
- All
- Journals
- Published
- Research Led Projects
RCSLT Online Outcome Tool
Publisher: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapistshttps://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/guidance-for-delivering-slt-services/outcome-measurement/?mc_cid=44ea597767&mc_eid=0c30fbf156#section-2
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is inviting members of the public to take part in a project, which could benefit speech and language therapy research. The project is exploring how anonymised data from the RCSLT Online Outcome Tool (ROOT) could be shared with researchers to strengthen the evidence base for speech and language therapy. We want to hear directly from people who have accessed speech and language therapy, and their carers, to understand their views on how anonymised data should be shared.
From Hype to Help: Building Responsible AI Service Guidance for AAC Professionals
Publisher: University of Dundeehttps://mailchi.mp/39bdf5a16d24/from-hype-to-help?e=0c30fbf156
The purpose of the research is to work with AAC users to develop comprehensive guidance aimed at supporting AAC professionals as they navigate the responsible, ethical, and effective integration of AI into their practice. This is an MSc degree project.
I-ASC Project, Institute for Children’s Futures
Publisher: Manchester Metropolitan Universityhttps://iasc.mmu.ac.uk/
This website is an evidence-based resource to support decision making for families and professionals involved in AAC assessment.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Publisher: The Official Journal of ISAAChttps://www.tandfonline.com/toc/iaac20/current
As the official journal of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) publishes scientific articles related to the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that report research concerning assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and education of people who use or have the potential to use AAC systems; or that discuss theory, technology, and systems development relevant to AAC.
Assistive Technology
Publisher: The Official Journal of RESNAhttps://www.tandfonline.com/toc/uaty20/current
Assistive Technology is an applied, scientific publication in the multi-disciplinary field of technology for people with disabilities. The journal’s purpose is to foster communication among individuals working in all aspects of the assistive technology arena including researchers, developers, clinicians, educators and consumers.
Research cluster: Communication disability
Publisher: Manchester Metropolitan Universityhttps://www.mmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/health-and-education/research/groups/communication-disability
We conduct applied research in a number of areas including: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), atypical language learning, developmental and acquired communication disabilities, policy and service provision in the UK, people with communication disabilities in the UK and low and middle-income countries, school readiness, international speech and language therapy education, communication disability related to learning disabilities, dysphagia.
Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL)
Publisher: University College Londonhttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/dcal/people-dcal/research-dcal
Find out about the latest and ongoing Cognition, Development, Research and Neuroscience Research at our centre.
Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH)
Publisher: University of Sheffieldhttps://catch.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/projects
The Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH) at the University of Sheffield is a translational research centre. We harness new technology to enable people to live well and age well.
Dundee Accessibility & Assistive Technology Research Group
Publisher: University of Dundeehttps://aac.dundee.ac.uk/research/
Our research is focussed on the involvement of end-users across a number of areas in order to ensure that research products are useful, effective and meaningful. We use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies both on-site and in the “real world”.
Centre for Speech and Language intervention Research (CSLIR)
Publisher: University College Londonhttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/pals/research/language-and-cognition/speech-language-intervention-research/projects/cslir-projects
Ongoing and completed research conducted by CSLIR researchers.
Centre for Speech, Hearing & Communication Research (CSHCR)
Publisher: Cardiff Metropolitan Universityhttps://pure.cardiffmet.ac.uk/en/organisations/centre-for-speech-hearing-communication-research-cshcrCentre for Speech, Hearing & Communication Research (CSHCR)
CSHCR was formed following the establishment of a formal partnership between the Speech, Hearing and Communication Research Group and the Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit. The Centre brings together expertise in three major areas of research and innovation: Clinical speech and language therapy research; Healthy and impaired hearing; and Bilingual and multilingual development.
Add AAC Research to our Map & Newsletters
Do you have a research project or publication to add to our Research Matters map or to our newsletters? We can help you to reach a large audience of AAC users, families and professionals.
This can include a current project that you invite AAC users to contribute to, as well as published research that you want to reach a wider audience. Please click the button below to submit details.
