Dr Michael Bradford, Dr Keith Maycock, Dr Yvonne Lynch (TCD) and Ron Elliot.
Funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the National Challenge Fund has called on 47 research teams to identify problems related to Ireland’s Green Transition and Digital Transformation and work with those directly affected to solve them. These teams are divided across four Challenges: Digital for Resilience, OurTech, Energy Innovation and A Healthy Environment for All.
Speaking at the launch of the 2023 funding awards, Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: “These 47 teams have presented ingenious ideas and committed their talents to working for the benefit of the people of Ireland. We see examples in the news most days of why Ireland needs to work at the green transition and digital transformation and ensure that our innovation and research prepare the country for the future. In fact, the solutions being worked on in all eight challenges in the National Challenge Fund have the potential not just to improve life here in Ireland, but across Europe and around the world.
Addressing the OurTech Challenge, ESTA – Enhancing Speech-language Therapy through AI – will use machine learning in the development of a digital platform to enhance the efficiency and quality of speech and language therapy provision. This technological solution will mitigate the current challenge of unacceptably long waiting lists for Speech and Language Therapy, at the same time as transforming service delivery to further empower and facilitate therapists.
ESTA is led by Dr Keith Maycock, Assistant Professor of Computing at National College of Ireland, whose primary area of research is in the application of artificial intelligence to create responsive technology designed to generate unique learning pathways.
Dr Maycock said: “I feel so privileged to be in a position to help address this societal challenge; if we can make any difference it will have such a positive impact on so many children. The structure of the National Challenge fund is designed to allow us the time to really engage with stakeholders and consider how we can make a real impact. The challenge is focused on a structured approach for the first six months and includes training and mentoring to help teams channel their ideas into meaningful products that solve real-world problems. It’s very early days for us but I would highly recommend this fund for any research teams trying to make an impact."
Dr Yvonne Lynch, Assistant Professor in Speech and Language Pathology at Trinity College Dublin, will provide complementary expertise in speech and language therapy service delivery and act as co-lead for the project. Dr Lynch’s research interests focus on the intersection between healthcare and technology and how we can harness technology to enhance outcomes for children.
Advising and guiding the team, Muireann McCleary will act as Societal Champion for the project. Speech and Language Therapy Manager at the Central Remedial Clinic, she will ensure full stakeholder engagement and inform team development as the project progresses.
Dr Michael Bradford, Assistant Professor in Computing at National College of Ireland, takes on the role of Solutions Architect for the project, keeping it focused and in scope.
Lecturer in Strategic Management and Business Analysis at National College of Ireland, Ron Elliot, is Research Analyst for ESTA - and also the reason the project is happening. Through supporting his granddaughter Lily, Ron has become a passionate advocate for children with speech and language issues, and recognised the potential for technology to improve this area of community health.
Speech, language, and communication needs are the most common childhood disability with prevalence rates of 7-10% reported for preschool children rising to as high as 50% of all children in areas of social disadvantage. Children with poor vocabulary are twice as likely to be unemployed as adults. Speech and language therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in supporting children’s speech and language development both in children with typical development and in children with disabilities. However, many families are unable to access therapy for their children due to the lengthy waiting lists that exist in Ireland. The national waiting lists for speech and language therapy in May 2022 recorded 32,151 children waiting for assessment or intervention. Of those on waiting lists, approximately 11% have been waiting for more than one year.
The National Challenge Fund is coordinated and administered by Science Foundation Ireland.
Science Foundation Ireland Director General Philip Nolan said: “SFI is very pleased with the response to the National Challenge Fund calls and we are happy to be supporting these teams as they embark on an intense period of engaged research, refining and validating their solutions. We have learnt from our previous challenge-based funding that teams can make huge strides in very short periods of time.”
As the project develops, updates will be posted on the ESTA landing page.
Muireann McCleary