Approximately 5% of people in most countries have deafness or significant hearing loss. This significant minority is underrepresented in mainstream universities across the world. Background information about deafness, relevant technology and its drawbacks, and the use of interpreters are discussed. The barriers to equitable representation of qualified Deaf academics in university settings are reviewed. The experiences of three Deaf academics who teach in mainstream universities are discussed, and suggestions for resolution are offered. Examples are cited for teaching, research and service, the threefold duties of the successful academic. Continuing access difficulties mean that only a few deaf graduates now consider doctoral study; cost and the perception of cost, as well as negative attitudes and lack of knowledge may mean that the few successful graduates have difficulties gaining employment; successful tenure and promotion prospects may also be hindered for the same reasons. We also provide recommendations how barriers for successful Deaf academics can be removed or mitigated.

An interactive Auslan version of the YSR is reliable, better accepted and yields higher rates of disturbance than the standard written questionnaire. Clinicians should be aware that using written instruments to assess psychopathology in deaf adolescents may produce invalid results or may underestimate the level of disturbance, particularly emotional problems.

Objective:  This study investigated associations between the performance of dental students in each of the three components of the selection procedure [academic average, Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and structured interview], socio‐demographic characteristics and their academic success in an undergraduate dental surgery programme. Materials and methods:  Longitudinal review of admissions data relating to students entering dental education at the University of Otago, New Zealand, between 2004 and 2009 was compared with academic performance throughout the dental programme. Results and discussion:  After controlling for variables, pre‐admission academic average, UMAT scores and interview performance did not predict performance as a dental student. Class place in second year, however, was a strong predictor of class place in final year. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the best predictors of higher class placement in the final year were New Zealand European ethnicity and domestic (rather than international) student status. Other socio‐demographic characteristics were not associated with performance. These interim findings provide a sound base for the ongoing study. Conclusion:  The study found important socio‐demographic differences in pre‐admission test scores, but those scores did not predict performance in the dental programme, whether measured in second year or in final year.

Given that the study of interpreting can be considered as an applied linguistic activity, this paper details a small-scale study which investigated 56 Australian Sign Language (Auslan)/ English interpreters’ perceptions of their bilingual status and compared these to their preferences for working into Auslan or English. The impetus for the study came from discussions with interpreter educators, researchers and practitioners in which it was asked ‘how bilingual’ an interpreter must be in order to interpret effectively. Interpreters are assumed to have a high level of proficiency in both their languages and traditionally interpret into their dominant language. An email survey that questioned interpreters’ perceptions about bilingualism in general, their own bilingualism and their preferred language direction was administered to accredited Auslan/ English interpreters in Australia. The results showed that for many of the interpreters, perceived bilingual status and preferred language direction when interpreting contravened established practice, preferring to interpret into their non-dominant language. The findings are discussed in relation to implications for the education and practice of signed and spoken language interpreters worldwide, and highlight the need for further study of the nexus between bilingualism and interpreting.

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