Biography

Professor Karen Bryan is Head of the School of Health and Social Care, at the University of Surrey. She is a speech and language therapist with particular interests in mental health of adult populations, rehabilitation, and the impact of communication difficulties on people’s access to effective healthcare interventions. She has conducted research into many aspects of workforce development including education and practice development, the experiences of internationally recruited nurses, care sector development and healthcare evaluation.

Karen has extensive experience of healthcare education and course development. She continues to work in practice as a consultant speech and language therapist in forensic mental health at the West London Mental Health Trust.

Research Interests

A recent research project developed training for care assistants who work with people who have Parkinson's disease.  Click here to access the training packs.

Recent projects:

2011-2014 Collaborative Research Responding to Complaints (Allan, H (PI), Bryan, K, Hunter, B, Gallagher, G). GNCT: £184,000

2011 Evaluation of the modified HDQ screening tool and associated training package on the work of Youth Offending Team staff. Communication Trust £14,000

2010-2012 Interactive study and evaluation – Sussex Dementia Partnership (Knibb, W (PI), Bryan K, Garrow V and Robinson D) Department of Health, £104,000.

2009-12 Specialist Rehabilitation of people with Parkinson’s Disease in the Community: an RCT. (with H Gage, P Trend, B Castleton, P Williams) SDO: £620,000

2008-9 Evaluation of Speech and Language Therapy within an Intensive Support and Supervision Programme, Leeds Youth Offending Team. Leeds PCT Commissioning Group. £13,000

2007 Training to support and enhance communication with people in care homes who have advanced dementia. Sussex Healthcare: £13,000.

2006-7 Palliative radiotherapy assessment. (with W Knibb and S Faithfull) BBSRC Portfolio Grant. £5000.

2006-7 Overseas workers in the independent care sector (with W Knibb, H Allan and I Eyers) Surrey Learning Support Network (15K)

2006-7 Training and evaluating Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Assistants (with H Gage, J Kaye, D Wade). Parkinson’s Society £52,000.

2005-6 Developing the Operating Department Practitioner Career (with W Knibb, R Bleasdale and S Gussin) NELSHA £12,000.

2005-7 Oldercare Practice development Project (with T Adams). Oldercare: £36,000.

Research Consultancy

2011  Initial Impact assessment of the hidden disabilities training and screening tool implementation in Young Offender Institutions. The Communication Trust £34,000.

2011  Resident care planning and daily reporting system evaluation for Graham Care  Dementia Homes. SEHTA £59,000.

2010-2012  Expert adviser to the Young Offender Speech and Language Therapy project. Ealing Borough Council. EU Funded £1.1m.

2009-10  Invited by the Communication Trust to provide expert input on hidden disability assessment.  Funded by DCSF following the Bercow Review.

2009-11  Invited to join the Expert Advisory Group for the Prison Reform Trust 'Preventing Youth Offending' project funded by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Trust.

2007  Invited to join the Expert Advisory Panel for NOMS and the Probation Service on developing group programmes for prisoners with Learning Disabilities.

2006-8  Invited to join the Expert Advisory Group for the Prison Reform Trust ‘No one knows: offenders with learning difficulties and learning disabilities’ project funded by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Trust.

2006-2007 Invited to join the Expert Advisory Group developing a new version of the 'Going to Court' book for people with Learning Disabilities to reflect the introduction of Special Measures. Funded by Lloyds TSB.

2006 Invited to be a peer reviewer for the Speaking and Listening Toolkit developed by Tribal CTAD for the Skills for Life Strategy Unit, DfES.

2005-2007 Invited to be part of a project group co-ordinated by Cambridge Training and Development Ltd. and involving the DfES to design and validate a Speaking and Listening Screening Tool for the British Army.

2004-2005 Invited to be a member of the external Reference group for the Offender Learning and Skills Unit project on Speaking and Listening Skills

Publications

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Resources for working with offenders

Resources, developed in the first SLT services for juvenile and young offenders in England, are available for download.  Click on this link to be transferred to the relevant page. 

The Right Hemisphere Language Battery (RHLB) (2nd edition)

The RHLB provides a comprehensive assessment of language functions that involve the right hemisphere of the brain.  The battery can be accessed by clicking on this link.

Selected Publications

Edited books

• 2009 Bryan, K (ed) Communication in Healthcare. Witney: Peter Lang Publishers.
• 2006 Bryan, K and Maxim, J (eds) Communication Disability in the Dementias. Chichester: John Wiley.
• 2000 Best, W, Bryan, K. and Maxim, J. (eds) Semantic Processing. London: Whurr.
• 1996. Bryan, K. and Maxim, J. (eds) Communication Disability and the Psychiatry of Old Age. London: Whurr.

Authored books

• 2008. Lock, S, Wilkinson, R. and Bryan, K. SPPARC: Supporting Partners and People with Aphasia in Relationships and Conversations. 2nd Edn. Bicester: Speechmark.
• 2007. Bryan, K and Lojeck, E. Bateria Testow do Badania Funkcji Jezykowych I Komunikacyjnych Prawej Polkuli Mozgu. Warsaw, Poloand: Pracounia Testow Psychologicznych. (Test)
• 2007. Bryan, K. Bateria do Funkcji Jezykowych Prawej Polkuli Mozgu. Warsaw, Poloand: Pracounia Testow Psychologicznych. (Manual)
• 2003. Zanini, S and Bryan K. La Batteria del Linguaggio dell ‘Emisfero Destro – Ba.L.E.D. Bologna, Italy: EMS.
• 2000. Jordan, L, Bell, L, Bryan, K, Maxim, J. and Axelrod, L. Communicate: Evaluation of a training package for carers of older people with communication impairment. London: Middlesex University / UCL publication. ISBN: 1 85924 162 X.
• 1995. Bryan, K. The Right Hemisphere Language Battery. Second Edition. London: Whurr.
• 1994. Maxim, J. and Bryan K. L. Language of the Elderly: A Clinical Perspective. London: Whurr.

Book chapters

• (invited and in preparation) Bryan K. Psychiatric disorders and Communication. Louise Cummings (ed) Handbook of Communication Disorders. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• 2011 Snow PC, Sanger DC and Bryan K. Listening to adolescents with speech, language and communication needs who are in contact with the Youth Justice System,. In: Roulstone, S. & McLeod, S. (Eds). Listening to children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. (pp111-120) London: J&R Press.
• 2008 Bryan, K. Speech, Language and Communication difficulties in juvenile offenders. In C. Hudson (ed) The Sound and the Silence: Key Perspectives on Speaking and Listening and Skills for Life. Coventry: Quality Improvement Agency. pp.52-60.
• 2006. Maxim, J., Beeke, S., Wilkinson, R. & Bryan K. Conversations with Older People: order and disorder. In: (Eds) Rebecca L Jones & John Percival Language in Later Life: Issues, Methods and Representations. London:Centre for Policy on Ageing/Open University pp.25-42
• 2006. Bryan, K and Maxim, J. Health, ageing and the context of care. In K. Bryan and J. Maxim (eds) Communication Disability in the Dementias. Chichester: John Wiley. pp.1-16.
• 2006. Maxim, J and Bryan, K. Language, communication and cognition in the dementias. In: K. Bryan and J. Maxim (eds) Communication Disability in the Dementias. Chichester: John Wiley. pp.73-124.
• 2006. Ramsey, V, Heritage, M and Bryan, K. Developing speech and language therapy services in older age mental health. In: K. Bryan and J. Maxim (eds) Communication Disability in the Dementias. Chichester: John Wiley. pp.261-284.
• 2006 Maxim, J and Bryan, K. Future directions. In: K. Bryan and J. Maxim (eds) Communication Disability in the Dementias. Chichester: John Wiley. pp.319-325.
• 2005 Bryan K. Communication Difficulties in People with Severe Mental Illness and the Impact on Their Treatment. In: K Jodzio (ed.) Neuronainy swiat umyslu. Krakow: Oficyna Wydawnicza "Impuis", pp. 219 230.
• 2003 Bryan K. and Maxim J. Managing language and communication difficulties in Alzheirner's dementia: the link to behaviour. In. T Adams and J Manthorpe (eds) Dementia Care. London: Arnold. pp. 69-85
• 2003 Bryan K. Aphasia and Higher Brain Function Disorder. In: H Kashima and J Tanemura (eds). Osaka, Japan: Nagai Shoten.
• 2001 Bryan K. Neuropsychiatry of Language. In J France and S Kramer (eds) Communication and Mental Illness. London: Jessica Kingsley. pp. 123-135
• 2001 Bryan K. and Roach J. Assessment of Speech and Language in Mental Health. In J France and S Kramer (eds) Communication and Mental Illness. London: Jessica Kingsley. pp. 110-122
• 2001 Bryan K. and Forshaw N. Mental Health, offenders and the Criminal Justice System. In J France and S Kramer (eds) Communication and Mental Illness. London: Jessica Kingsley. pp. 221-230

Peer reviewed journals

• 2011. Gage H, Ting S, Williams P, Bryan K, Kaye J, Castleton B, Trend P and Wade D. A comparison of specialist rehabilitation and care assistant support with specialist rehabilitation alone and usual care for people with Parkinson's living in the community: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 12: 250.
• 2011. Wilkinson R, Lock S, Bryan K, Sage K. Interaction-focused intervention for acquired language disorders: facilitating mutual adaptation in couples where one partner has aphasia.  International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 13(1): 74-87.
• 2011. Gregory, J, Bryan, K. Speech and language therapy intervention with a group of persistent and prolific young offenders in a non-custodial setting with previously un-diagnosed SLCD. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 46(2): 202-215. 
• 2010. Bryan K. Policies for reducing delayed discharge from hospital.  British Medical Bulletin 95(1): 33-46.
• 2010. Wilkinson, R, Bryan, K, Lock, S, and Sage, K. Implementing and evaluating aphasia therapy targeted at couples' conversations: a single case study. Aphasiology, 24(6-8): 869-886.
• 2010. Axelrod, L, Bryan, K, Gage, H, Kaye, J, Trend, P, Wade, D. Workloads of Parkinson's specialist nurses: implications for implementing national service quidelines in England.  Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(23-24): 3575-3580.
• 2009. Webster, C and Bryan, K. Older People’s views of Dignity and how it can be promoted in a hospital environment. British Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18, 1784-1792.
• 2009. Ramsey, V, Stevens, S, Bryan, K, Binder, J, and Cockle-Hearne, J. Using the Barnes Language Assessment with older Ethnic Minority groups. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24, 426-431.
• 2009. Gage, H, Knibb, W and Bryan, K. Why are some care homes better than others? An empirical study of the factors associated with quality of care for older people in residential homes in England. Health and Social Care in the Community, 17, 6, 599-609.
• 2008. Sato, H, Patterson, K, Fushimi, T, Maxim, J. and Bryan, K. Deep dyslexia for kanji and phonological dyslexia for kana in a Japanese case: different manifestations from a common source. Neurocase, 14, 508-524.
• 2007. Bryan K, Freer J and Furlong C. Language and communication difficulties in juvenile offenders. IJDLC, 42, 505-520.
• 2007 Lorentzon K, Bryan K. Respect for the person with dementia: fostering greater user involvement in service planning. Quality in Ageing - Policy, practice and research 8(1): 23-29.
• 2007. Knibb, W, Bleasdale, R, Gussin, S and Bryan, K. Developing the Operating Department Practitioner Workforce, Technic, 3, 10-14.
• 2006. Eyers, I and Bryan, K. Professionalising the care of older people: Transforming the workforce. Quality in Ageing- Policy, Practice and Research, 7, 37-45.
• 2006 Bryan, K., Gage, H. and Gilbert, K. Delayed transfers of older people from hospital: Causes and policy implications. Health Policy, 76, 194-201.
• 2005 Zanini, S, Bryan, K, DeLuca, G and Bava, A. The effects of age and education on pragmatic features of verbal communication: evidence from the Italian version of the Right Hemisphere Language Battery. Aphasiology, 19, 1107-1133.
• 2005 Allan H T, Clawson L, Bryan, K and Smith, P Developing an interprofessional learning culture in primary care. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 19, 452-464.
• 2005 Smith P and Bryan K Participatory evaluation: navigating the emotions of partnerships in Sure Start local programmes. Journal of Social Work Practice, 19, 2, 195-209.
• 2005 Zanini, S, Bryan, K, De Luca, G and Bava, A. The Italian Right Hemisphere Language Battery: the normative study. Neurological Sciences, 26, 13-25.
• 2005 Dipper, L.T, Black, M and Bryan, K. Thinking for speaking and listening: the interaction of thought and language in typical and non-fluent comprehension production. Language and Cognitive Processes, 20, 417-441.
• 2005 Lock, S, Jordan, L, Bryan, K and Maxim, J. Work after Stroke: focusing on barriers and enablers. Disability and Society, 20, Vol 1, 33-47.
• 2005 Jodzio, K, Lojek, E and Bryan, K. Functional and neuroanatomical analysis of extralinguistic disorders in right hemisphere damaged patients. Psychology of Language and Communication, 9, 55-73.
• 2005 Millward, L. J and Bryan, K. Clinical leadership in healthcare: a position statement. Health Care Quality Assurance incorporating Leadership in Health Service, 18, xiii-xxv.
• 2005 Larsen, J.A., H. Allan, K. Bryan and P. Smith ‘Overseas Nurses’ Motivations for Working in the UK: Globalization and Life Politics’, Work, Employment and Society 19(2): 349-368.
• 2005 Hughes, F, Bryan K and Robbins, I. Relatives experiences of critical care. Nursing in Critical Care, 10, 23-30.
• 2005 Millward, L.J, Collins, R., Everatt, J. and Bryan, K. Clinicians and Dyslexia – a computer-based assessment of one of the key cognitive skills involved in drug administration. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 42, 341-353.

Clinical publications

• 2010. Stone K and Bryan K.  Are you talking to me? Criminal justice, communication and people with learning disabilities. Counsel.
• 2010. Information for Health and Social Care Professionals. Work after Stroke. Different Strokes.
• Gregory, J and Bryan, K (2009) Evaluation of the Leeds Speech and Language Therapy Service Provision within the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme provided by the Leeds Youth Offending Team. Unpublished report.
• Bryan, K. and Mackenzie, J. (2008) Meeting the speech, language and communication needs of vulnerable young people. Model of service delivery for those at risk of offending and re-offending. London: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Knibb, W, Bryan, K, Allan, H and Eyers. (2007) Overseas Workers in the Independent Care Sector in Surrey. Report Commissioned by Surrey / Sussex Learning Resource Network. Surrey: University of Surrey.
• Bryan K. 2006 Communication with people with dementia: how effective is training? Journal of Dementia Care 14(6): 35-38.
• Eyers, I and Bryan, K. (2006) Professionalisation of the Care Home Workforce. Report for Friends of the Elderly.
• Heritage, M, Bryan, K, Kindell, J, Ayaz, F, Barnes, C, Barnett, L and Borsley, D. (2005) Speech and Language Therapy Provision for People with Dementia. RSCLT Position Paper. London: RCSLT.
• 2005. Answers to your questions about stammering. Leaflet prepared for young prisoners. Now published on the British Stammering Association website.
• 2005. Freer, J, Bryan, K, and Furlong, C. Stammering in the Criminal Justice System. Speaking Out, Autumn, p. 13.

Teaching

2007 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Departmental Duties

Lectures and Conferences

Recent Invited lectures

• 2011 Speech and language therapy intervention with young offenders. Speech , language and Communication issues in the Justice system. Study day in partnership between the RCSLT Justice in Scotland SIG and the CASL Research Centre, Queen Margaret University. Edinburgh: November.
• 2011 Speech and language difficulties in young offenders. HM Inspectorate Development Day. London: July.
• 2011 Chair of Service User and Carer forum on outcomes that matter in Dementia Care. Dementia Care Conference. Surrey: April
• 2011 What we know works. Speech and language therapy for Young Offenders. North Wales Communication and Justice Forum Conference. Wrexham. March.
• 2011 Assessment of Speech, Language and Communication in Young Offenders.  North Wales Communication and Justice Forum Conference. Wrexham. March.
• 2011 Research involving older people: the SPIRiTT trial. With H Gage, S Ting, and C Chorley. CLRN: Brighton. March
• 2011 An evaluation of speech and language therapy intervention with a group of persistent and prolific young offenders in a non-custodial setting. University College London: February.
• 2010 Speech, language and communication services – evidence of need and where we are now in the UK. Criminal Justice System Conference. Scottish Government. Edinburgh: November.
• 2010 An evaluation of speech and language therapy intervention with a group of persistent and prolific young offenders in a non-custodial setting. University of Sheffield: November.
• 2010 Effective screening and assessment of prisoners with Autistic spectrum disorders. Autistic Society Conference. London: October.
• 2010 Developing speech and language therapy services within the criminal justice system. Surrey Youth Justice Board Conference. Surrey: September.
• 2010 Update on working with young offenders. Speech and Language Impairment: Specific Interest Group. City University. London: July
• 2010 Communication Matters: managing speech, language and communication difficulties. Healthy Children, Safer Communities. Youth Justice Board. Durham: March.
• 2010 Progress and outcomes of the Department of Health Attrition Learning Sets project. Council of Deans Seminar. London: March.
• 2009 Supporting young offenders with communication difficulties. Association of Youth Offending Team Managers Conference. Stratford upon Avon: June.
• 2009 Communication difficulties in young Offenders. Prison Reform Trust Expert Forum. London: May.
• 2009 Promoting Communication for People with Dementia in Care Homes.  Dementia Care Matters Leadership Course. Kidderminster: March.
• 2008 Language difficulties and social exclusion: what can we learn from the juvenile offender population? Association of Educational Psychologists. Annual North Eastern Study Day. Newcastle: June.
• 2008 Chair: Seminar on Youth Justice: Custody. No One Knows Consultation Event. Prison Reform Trust: London: May.
• 2008 Invited seminar: Transitions through secure and psychiatric settings for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. National Children's Bureau. London: May.
• 2008 Seminar and service user consultation as part of the Bradley Review of the Treatment of Offenders with Learning Difficulty and Mental Health Problems. Prison Reform Trust: May.
• 2008 Juvenile and young offenders: speech, language and communication needs. ESRC Festival of Social Science. City University: March.
• 2008 Promoting communication for people with dementia in care homes: a sustainable care home workforce initiative. Care Services Improvement Partnership Conference: Valuing Age and Ageing - a Celebration of Work across the South East. Farnham: February.

Recent Conference presentations

• 2011 Parenteral infusion dependent adults: learning to self-care.  Nunwa, A,  Bryan, K, and Small M..  British Association of Enteral and Parentral Nutrition Group of the British Dietetic Association Conference. Harrowgate: November.
• 2011 Rationale and design of SPIRiTT: a randomised controlled trial of a domiciliary-based Specialist Parkinson’s Integrated Rehabilitation Team. Gage, H, Bryan, K, Ting, S, Williams, P, Kaye, J, Castleton, B, Trend, P and Wade, D. XIX World Congress on Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders. Shanghai: December.
• 2011 International symposium: Oral Language skills and social marginalisation: International evidence for increased engagement of SLP in the lives of young people in contact with criminal justice services. Snow, P, Ritzman, M and Bryan K. Lost for Words Conference. City University. London: June.
• 2010 Disease specific training for care assistants: a randomised controlled trial comparing two approaches for improving understanding of Parkinson's. Gage H, Ting, S, Chorley, C, Bryan K, Kaye J, Williams P, Trend P. 2nd World Parkinson’s Congress. Glasgow: September. (Abstract published in Movement Disorders, 25, S700).
• 2009 Communication needs of the male, mental health, high secure population. Kim Turner, Tim Pring and Karen Bryan. RCSLT Scientific Conference, London: April.
• 2009 Evaluating aphasia therapy targeted at couples' conversations: A single case study. Ray Wilkinson, Sarah Lock and Karen Bryan. Clinical Aphasiology Conference Houston: May.
• 2008 Training for care assistants in Parkinson’s disease: A comparison of self study and an interactive training day. Lesley Axelrod, Karen Bryan, Heather Gage, Julie Kaye, Peter Williams, Patrick Trend and Derick Wade. Quality and Safety in Health Care BMJ Conference. .April: Paris.
• 2008 Gage et al Face-to-face training versus self study by care assistants in care of people with Parkinson’s disease: a randomised controlled trial. SDO Conference. March: London.
• 2007 Provision of community services for people with Parkinson’s disease: a qualitative study of patient and carer perceptions. Axelrod L; Baker M; Bryan K; Gage H; Kaye J; Trend P; Wade D. World Congress on Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders. December: Amsterdam.
• 2007 Health Care Assistant Work: Is it Nursing? P. Smith, C Magnusson, W. Knibb, K. Bryan. RCN Research Conference. Dundee: May.