This is the unspecified version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link Abstract BackgroundThe Speech and Language Therapy/Pathology (SLT/SLP) profession is characterised by extreme 'occupational sex segregation', a term used to refer to persistently male or femaledominated professions. Men make up only 2.5% of all SLTs in the UK, and similar imbalance is found in other countries. Despite calls to increase diversity in the allied health professions more generally, research into the reasons for occupational sex segregation and gender as a potential key factor remains scarce. Aims This study aims to explore the potential role of gender/ gendered discourses in people's decision to pursue a career in SLT/SLP. It seeks to illustrate how gendered assumptions/ expectations/ discourses continue to construct SLT as a 'gendered' profession, and to make some recommendations in this area for SLT recruitment and practice. Methods & ProcedureThe study adopted a qualitative design which elicited research participants' views, knowledge and experiences (in their own words) in relation to the research questions. Data collection involved two iterative phases: preliminary data phase -which involved semistructured interviews with newly qualified SLT graduates and practising SLTs, and completion of questionnaires by undergraduate SLTs -and main/ focus group phase. In the focus group phase, reported in this paper, six focus groups in total were held with SLTs, teachers of speech and language therapy, and careers advisors in London, UK. The data were analysed qualitatively using grounded theory principles, thematic analysis, and discourse analysis. Outcomes & ResultsThe findings extend our knowledge and understanding of gender as a parameter of people's motivations and perceptions, which can influence their choice of career (e.g. as regards, pay and flexibility). The findings also show that discourses around women as carers, nurturers, and communicators constitute key ways through which the SLT profession continues to be constructed as 'women's work'. The topic of structural gender inequalities in the profession was also discussed in the data. Some recommendations for change, with implications for SLT recruitment and practice, were made by the participants themselves. Conclusions & ImplicationsGender imbalance in SLT needs to be researched further, in order to help address inequalities, re-evaluate professional practices, and develop service delivery in the profession. This area also needs to be researched via analysis that goes beyond gender distribution in numerical terms, to consider the complex perceptions or discourses around gender and work. Cross-disciplinary and comparative perspectives in future research would also be fruitful. 2Key words: speech and language therapy, gendered discourses, focus groups, career choice What this paper addsA massive gender imbalance exists in speech and language therapy/ pathology where men make up only 2.5% of all speech...

The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) profession in the UK presents a striking example of ‘occupational sex segregation’: men make up only 2.5% of SLTs. This paper discusses parts of a research project which explored the gendered discourses that construct speech and language therapy as a gendered profession or as ‘women’s work’. Data were collected via questionnaires, interviews and focus groups with SLT graduates, Speech and Language Therapists, SLT teachers and careers advisors in London, UK. Data were analysed qualitatively using grounded theory principles, iterative thematic analysis and discourse analysis. The findings show that the gender imbalance (in terms of numbers) in this profession is shored up by a range of gendered discourses and their associated social practices: discourses of SLT as a gendered profession; gender differences discourses; discourses of women as ‘carers/ nurturers’ and as ‘superior communicators’; and discourses of gender and career progression. These discourses were sometimes taken as given and reinforced by research participants, while at other times they were contested. The research presented here constitutes a much-needed starting point in the investigation of an under-researched area, and aims to extend our understanding of the topic from a critical discursive perspective.

Most speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the UK work with children and families from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. There is little research however investigating how they go about providing healthcare that takes into account cultural differences. This paper will describe a study that aimed to investigate the cultural competence of SLTs in one London Borough. A combination of questionnaires and a focus group were used to generate qualitative data about the knowledge and views of SLTs about cultural competence. A content analysis framework was employed to analyse the data. Our findings suggest that SLTs in one London Borough have their own distinct culture which includes beliefs about their role as SLTs and about the role of parents in therapy sessions. Findings suggest that the SLTs employ a range of culturally competent practices in their everyday work. These findings are discussed in relation to current thinking on cultural competence and models of cultural competence (Purnell and Paulanka, 2003; Papadopoulos et al., 1998).