Rate My Professor Sally Hewat

Associate Professor Sally Hewat is a speech pathologist and academic leader in the School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She earned a PhD and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney. Her professional journey includes serving as a Research Officer at the Australian Stuttering Research Centre, University of Sydney, from 1997 to 2000, and maintaining membership in Speech Pathology Australia since 1994. Currently holding the position of Associate Professor, she specializes in the treatment of stuttering, with research interests spanning speech pathology (60%), work integrated learning (30%), and clinical psychology (10%). Her work emphasizes evidence-based practice, clinical education, and clinical research methods.

Hewat has made substantial contributions to the global development of speech pathology, particularly in Southeast Asia. She spearheaded the creation of Vietnam's inaugural two-year postgraduate speech pathology program through collaborations with the Trinh Foundation Australia and the University of Pham Ngoc Thach, incorporating 80% lectures from Australian universities. The first cohort, comprising health professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, and doctors, graduated two years ago and now integrates speech therapy into their practices. She developed and delivered a stuttering management course, designed a stuttering treatment program for Vietnamese adults, and evaluated its efficacy with students. These initiatives provide clinical placement opportunities for University of Newcastle students and promote communication rights worldwide. In 2014, she was honored with the Medal from the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City—a rare accolade for foreigners—and a certificate from the University of Pham Ngoc Thach. Her scholarly output includes key publications such as Alharbi E. et al., 'Investigating Saudi secondary school teachers’ knowledge of stuttering and experiences with adolescents who stutter' (Journal of Fluency Disorders, 2026); McAllister L. et al., 'Stakeholder perspectives following implementation of Vietnam's first speech-language pathology degrees' (Disability and Rehabilitation, 2025); Unicomb R. et al., 'Treating children with co-occurring stuttering and speech sound disorder: a long-term follow up study' (Speech Language and Hearing, 2022); and Wilson L., Hewat S., 'Proceedings of the 2001 Speech Pathology Australia National Conference: Evidence and Innovation' (book, 2001). Additional works cover topics like myofunctional devices, simulation-based learning, and intercultural communication in speech assessment.