Biography

Dr. Robert Fourie completed his Bachelors degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa in 1992. He subsequently worked as a speech and language therapist for Deaf children for two years; and then later completed a Masters Degree in Audiology. During this time, he worked as an academic and clinical tutor in the Wits University Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. He was also employed as a lecturer in Linguistics. In June 1999, he took up work in Ireland as a Paediatric Audiological Scientist for 18 months; and then later as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist, with partial secondment to the adult hearing rehabilitation services of the Health Services Executive of Ireland (HSE). Robert was appointed as Lecturer in the department of Speech and Hearing Sciences in May, 2003. Since then, he has helped develop the undergraduate course in Speech and Language therapy, has lectured and supervised postgraduates and completed a PhD in applied Psychology at UCC.  He is currently Audiology Lead in the department of Speech and Hearing Sciences and has been involved in developing a postgraduate Audiology Curriculum. This programme in Advanced Audiogy consists of three programmes: Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Audioliology, Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Audiology and an MSc in Advanced Audiology.  In addition, he has been involved in co-ordinating CPD modules for audiologists in Ireland, with funding from the Irish Health Services Executive.

Research Interests

1.  Psychosocial dimensions of communication disorders
2.  Psychology of Deafness
3.  Sign Language Studies
4.  Therapeutic Relationship and Counseling
5.  Evoked Potentials (Late latency). 

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2014) 'The Feasibility of Audiologists removing Earwax'
Browne, T; Fourie, R (2014) 'The Feasibility of Audiologists removing Earwax'. Irish Medical Journal, [Details]
(2013) 'Characterising the experiences of parents whose children have been diagnosed with deafness in Ireland'
O'Mahoney, S., Fourie, R. J. (2013) 'Characterising the experiences of parents whose children have been diagnosed with deafness in Ireland'. Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, 20 [Details]
(2011) 'Human rights and the Deaf community in Ireland: A critical discussion of Irish legislation'
Mullane, A., Conoma, J. B., & Fourie, R. J.; (2011) 'Human rights and the Deaf community in Ireland: A critical discussion of Irish legislation'. Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, [Details]
(2011) 'A Qualitative Exploration of Therapeutic Relationships from the Perspective of Six Children Receiving Speech-Language Therapy'
Fourie, R; Crowley, N; Oliviera, A (2011) 'A Qualitative Exploration of Therapeutic Relationships from the Perspective of Six Children Receiving Speech-Language Therapy'. Topics in Language Disorders, 31 (4):310-324 [Details]
(2011) 'Alienation and Therapeutic Connection: A phenomenological account of three patients with communication disorders associated with cancers of the head and neck'
Fourie, R. J. & Murphy, M.; (2011) 'Alienation and Therapeutic Connection: A phenomenological account of three patients with communication disorders associated with cancers of the head and neck'. Journal of Interactional Research in Communication Disorders, 2 (1):1-27 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 'A Qualitative study of the therapeuric relationship in speech and language therapy: perspectives of adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders'
Fourie, R.J.; (2009) 'A Qualitative study of the therapeuric relationship in speech and language therapy: perspectives of adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders'. Internation Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 44 (6):979-999 [Details]
(2009) 'Hardship, dedication and investment: an exploration of Irish mothers commitment to communicating with her children with cerebral palsy'
Power, R., McManus, V., & Fourie, R.; (2009) 'Hardship, dedication and investment: an exploration of Irish mothers commitment to communicating with her children with cerebral palsy'. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, (16):531-538 [Details]
(2008) 'Problem based learning and the construction of an SLP curriculum'
Fourie, R.; (2008) 'Problem based learning and the construction of an SLP curriculum'. S Afr J Commun Disord, 55 :110-131 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2007) 'A Qualitative Self-study of Retinitis Pigmentosa'
Fourie, R. J.; (2007) 'A Qualitative Self-study of Retinitis Pigmentosa'. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 25 (3):217-232 [Details]
(2005) 'Language Planning Issues in the Education of Deaf Children'
Fourie, R.J.; (2005) 'Language Planning Issues in the Education of Deaf Children'. Oideas, 51 (*):96-108 [Details]
(2000) 'Efficiency of a Hearing Person Learning Sign Language Vocabulary from Media versus a Teacher'
Fourie, R.J.; (2000) 'Efficiency of a Hearing Person Learning Sign Language Vocabulary from Media versus a Teacher'. Deafness and Education International, 2 (*):45-60 [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2014) The Radiant Hearts of Badgers.
Fourie, R.J. (2014) The Radiant Hearts of Badgers. University College Cork: Robert J. Fourie. [Details]
(1994) Get Smart: Sexuality and AIDS: Information for Deaf Teenagers.
Kay, J., Fourie, R.J. and Penn, C.; (1994) Get Smart: Sexuality and AIDS: Information for Deaf Teenagers. Pretoria: Dept. of National Health and Population Development. [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
(2011)
Fourie, R (Ed.). (2011) Therapeutic Processes for Communication Disorders: A guide for Clinicians and Students. London: Psychology Press. [ Publisher's Version] [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2011) 'From Alienation to Therapeutic Dialogue'
Fourie, R (2011) 'From Alienation to Therapeutic Dialogue' In: Therapeutic Processes for Communication Disorders: A Guide for Clinicians and Students. London: Psychology Press. [ Publisher's Version] [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(1996) 'Practical Issues in Cochlear Implantation of Three Deaf Children Attending a Residential Total Communication School'
Fourie, R.J.; (1996) 'Practical Issues in Cochlear Implantation of Three Deaf Children Attending a Residential Total Communication School' Wits Working Papers in Speech Pathology and Audiology, 1 :15-18. [Details]
(1992) 'Frequency Specificity and Oto-acoustic emissions'
Fourie, R.J. and Jardine, C.A.; (1992) 'Frequency Specificity and Oto-acoustic emissions' Communiphon, 304 :19-21. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2011) UCC College of Medicine and Health: 3rd Annual Research Conference
Hutch, W; Leonard, U; Oliveira, A; Pettigrew, C; Fourie, R. (2011) Ambiguity and Aphasia: A homophone lexical decision study UCC College of Medicine and Health: 3rd Annual Research Conference [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2010) College of Medicine and Health held Annual Research Day: From Molecules to Medicine
Hutch, W; Fourie, R; (2010) The investigation of a new methodological development using Mismatch Negativity in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of Aphasia: Current findings and applications in Healthcare Research College of Medicine and Health held Annual Research Day: From Molecules to Medicine Cork, [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2010) Irish Journal of Medical Science, Vol 3, Suppl 3: 3rd Annual Neuroscience Ireland Conference
Hutch, W; Fourie, R; Pettigrew, CM; (2010) Words in the Brain's Language: A Mismatch Negativity Study Irish Journal of Medical Science, Vol 3, Suppl 3: 3rd Annual Neuroscience Ireland Conference Trinity College Dublin, , pp.S121-S122 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2009) Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Fifth Conference on Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and its Clinical and Scientific Applications
Hutch, W; Fourie, R; Pettigrew, CM; (2009) The quest for natural, finely controlled speech stimuli for MMN experiments: Is it possible? Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Fifth Conference on Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and its Clinical and Scientific Applications [Details]
(2009) Irish Association of Speech and language Therapists Biennial Conference
Fourie, RJ; Egan, C; Cronin, M; (2009) Problem Based Learning: Using Clinical Cases to Promote Clinical Reasoning and Lifelong Learning Irish Association of Speech and language Therapists Biennial Conference Galway, [Details]
(2009) Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists Biennial Conference
Hutch, W; Pettigrew, C; Fourie, R; (2009) The investigation of spoken word processing in individuals with aphasia: Neurophysiological evidence, theoretical models and clinical applications Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists Biennial Conference [Details]
(2006) Physical Therapy Reviews
Fourie, R.J.; (2006) What's so therapeutic about Speech and Language therapy? Proceedings of the Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Society Second Annual Conference Physical Therapy Reviews [Details]

Thesis/Dissertation

  Year Publication
(2008) PhD Dissertation: A Grounded Theory of the Therapeutic Relationship in Speech and Language Therapy.
Fourie, R. J. ; (2008) PhD Dissertation: A Grounded Theory of the Therapeutic Relationship in Speech and Language Therapy. Thesis/Dissertation [Details]

Book Reviews

  Year Publication
(2009) Preclinical Speech Sciences:Book Review: Anatomy, Physiology, Acoustics, Perception.
Fourie, R (2009) Preclinical Speech Sciences:Book Review: Anatomy, Physiology, Acoustics, Perception. Book Reviews [Details]

Magazine article

  Year Publication
(2014) Friendly goodwill in self-care and self-reflection.
Fourie, R.J. (2014) Friendly goodwill in self-care and self-reflection. Magazine article [Details]

Artwork

  Year Publication
(2011) Single Entry into Art Exhibition: Texting.
Fourie, R. (2011) Single Entry into Art Exhibition: Texting. Artwork [Details]
(2012) Art Exhibition: Electric Reflections: Electronic Permuations of an Inner Landscape.
Fourie, R. (2012) Art Exhibition: Electric Reflections: Electronic Permuations of an Inner Landscape. Jennings Gallery, University College Cork: Artwork [Details]
(2005) Spectrographic Representations of speech utterances comparing regional accents in Cork and Kerry.
Fourie, R; Fletcher, P. (2005) Spectrographic Representations of speech utterances comparing regional accents in Cork and Kerry. Artwork [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2011 President’s Awards for Research on Innovative Forms of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education University College Cork
2008 Presidents' Prize for Excellence in teaching, UCC University College Cork

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists Member 01-JAN-05 /
Irish Academy of Audiology Full member 01-JAN-14 /

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2014) 13th Annual Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Meeting, Jacksonville, FL,
Kenny, M; Fourie, R (2014) The Four Stages of Parental Experience: Receiving an Early Diagnosis of a Child’s Hearing Detection and Intervention (EDHI) Meeting. [Poster Presentation], 13th Annual Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Meeting, Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville, Florida, USA , 13-APR-14 - 15-APR-14. [Details]
(2012) International Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics Assoication Conference,
Fourie, R. J., Oliviera, A., & Crowley, N. (2012) Therapeutic relationships from the perspective of children receiving speech-language therapy: A qualitative exploration. [Poster Presentation], International Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics Assoication Conference, Cork , 27-JUN-12 - 30-JUN-12. [Details]
(2010) Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Society (RTRS) Conference 2010,
Hutch, W; Fourie, R (2010) Making evoked potential research more clinically applicable to the diagnosis and rehabilitation of language disorders: The use of Mismatch Negativity. [Poster Presentation], Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Society (RTRS) Conference 2010, Trinity College Dublin , 10-MAY-10 - 14-MAY-10. [Details]
(2009) Fifth Conference on Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and its Clinical and Scientific Applications,
Hutch, W., Fourie, R., Alku, P., & Pettigrew, C.; (2009) The quest for natural, finely controlled speech stimuli for MMN experiments: Is it possible?. [N/A], Fifth Conference on Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and its Clinical and Scientific Applications, Budapest, Hungary (Poster) , 01-JAN-09 - 01-JAN-09. [Details]
(2007) Bi-annual Conference of the Irish Society of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT),
Fourie, R (2007) The therapeutic relationship in Speech and Language Therapy. [Oral Presentation], Bi-annual Conference of the Irish Society of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT), Kilkenny , 01-MAR-07 - 01-MAR-07. [Details]
(2006) The first conference on Problem Based Learning in Speech Language Pathology Programmes,
Fourie, R.J. and Fletcher, P.; (2006) Attitudes of 1st year SLT Student in Ireland to PBL. [Oral Presentation], The first conference on Problem Based Learning in Speech Language Pathology Programmes, Linkoping, Sweden , 19-MAY-06 - 20-MAY-06. [Details]
(2006) Second Annual Conference of the Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Society (RTRS),
Fourie, R.J.; (2006) What's so Therapeutic about Speech and Language Therapy?. [Oral Presentation], Second Annual Conference of the Rehabilitation and Therapy Research Society (RTRS), University College Dublin , 25-MAY-06 - 25-MAY-06. [Details]
(2005) Second Annual Conference of the Division of Health Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland,
Fourie, R.J.; (2005) Into the Dark Night - A Reflexive Qualitative Study of Retinitis Pigmentosa. [Oral Presentation], Second Annual Conference of the Division of Health Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland, Dublin , 22-APR-05 - 22-APR-05. [Details]
(2005) Visual Literacy Exhibition,
Flourie, R. J.; (2005) Visual Representations of Speech. [Poster Presentation], Visual Literacy Exhibition, Glucksman Gallery, University College Cork , 01-MAY-05 - 01-MAY-05. [Details]
(2005) First Annual Interdisciplinary Conference,
Fourie, R. J.; (2005) A Grounded Theory of Therapy: What's so therapeutic about Speech and Language Therapy? Preliminary Findings. [Oral Presentation], First Annual Interdisciplinary Conference, University College Cork , 01-NOV-05 - 01-NOV-05. [Details]

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Special Admissions Board UCC (HEAR and DARE) Member 2007 / 2010
Equality Committee (Disability Subcomittee) Member 2009 /
Graduate Studies Committee, Clinical Therapies, UCC Member 2009 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
University College Cork Permanent Lecturer (2003 - present) 01-MAY-03 /
University College Cork Acting Head of Department, Speech and Hearing Sciences July 2008 - Dec 2008 01-JUL-08 / 01-DEC-08
HSE (Hearing Impaired Unit), St Columba's National School Senior Speech and Language Therapist 01-OCT-01 / 01-APR-03
National Rehabilitation Board Audiological Scientist 01-MAY-99 / 31-DEC-00
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Lecturer, Sign Language Interpreter 01-JAN-97 / 30-APR-99
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Academic Development Programme Tutor, Clinical Tutor in Audiology 01-JAN-95 / 31-DEC-96
St Vincent School for the Deaf, Melrose, Johannesburg Speech and Language Therapist, Audiologist 01-JAN-93 / 30-DEC-94

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
1996 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg MA Audiology
1992 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg BA Speech and Hearing Therapy (Hons)
2007 University College Cork PhD Applied Psychology

Journal Activities

  Journal Role To / From
Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics Referee -
American Journal Of Speech-Language Pathology Referee -
Journal Of Communication Disorders Referee -
Journal Of Clinical Speech And Language Studies Referee -
International Journal Of Audiology Referee 01-JAN-05 -
Advances In Speech Language Pathology Referee 01-JAN-06 -
Journal Of Speech, Language And Hearing Research Referee 01-JAN-07 -
Journal Of Community Genetics Referee -

Outreach Activities

  Description

Dr Fourie was involved in sourcing speakers for and organising Continual Professional Development in Audiology for audiology clinicians in the Health Services Executive (HSE), Ireland, 2012.  This programme was hosted by the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), with sponsorship from the Audiology Clinical Care Programme of the Health Services Executive (HSE), and in collaboration with the Neonatal Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP), UK.

Languages

  Language Reading Writing Speaking
South African Sign Language (Johannesburg) Basic None Fluent
Dutch Fluent Functional Functional
Sotho Functional Functional Functional
Zulu Functional Functional Functional
Afrikaans Fluent Basic Fluent
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Irish None None Functional

Teaching Interests

Teaching (for modules coordinated only)

Audiology Lead for the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

Co-ordinator:

Undergraduate Modules:

SL1007 Speech, Hearing and Swallowing Sciences
SL 4005 Mental Health for Communication Disorders (2012/2013)

Post-graduate Modules:

MSc (Evidence Based Therapy Practice:

CT 6000 Research Methodology

MSc Advanced Audiology:
AU 6001  Paediatric Audiology
AU 6002  Otology and Neurotology
AU 6003  Aural Rehabilitation
AU 6004  Balance Disorders
AU 6007  Independent Study in Audiology
AU 6016  Audiology Dissertation

Other
Annual Staff Training for Problem Based Learning Tutors

Writing Skills for Speech and Language Therapists (First Years)

Practice Education Workshop: Working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children (Second Years)

Practice Education Workshop: Interviewing Skills (Second Years)

Practice Education Workshop: Counselling for Speech and Language Therapists (Third Years)

Practice Education Workshop: Assistive Devices for People with Hearing Losses (Third Years)

Practice Education Workshop: Irish Disability Legislation (Third Years)