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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · 20d

Recruiting deaf adults from Greater London (under 35yo) for a new focus group series (interpreters provided!)

Help identify priorities and best practices for future research with deaf children & receive £200 for your time!

Email Victoria at [email protected]

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · 29d

Thanks to everyone who joined us for #DCALx 2025 last week! Inspiring talks, great conversations, and a brilliant evening celebrating BSL, literacy & cognition. We can’t wait for the next one! ✨

Dr Kate Rowley, in a bright blue top, signs at the lectern. Behind her, a slide titled “Grant Success!” announces a £1.4m ERC award for a 5-year tactile BSL project with job opportunities starting in 2026. Live captions run across the top of the screen.

Dr Patrick Rosenburg presents in BSL beside a lectern with a laptop. His slide shows logos from deaf schools and universities he has worked with, including Boston University, Gallaudet and Frank Barnes School. Audience heads are visible in the foreground.

A DCALx flyer rests on a desk in the foreground, showing the three presenters’ portraits. In the background, Professor Kearsy Cormier presents in BSL on stage with a slide about early BSL research and annotation challenges.

Professor Kearsy Cormier presents at a lectern with slides about BSL and AI. The caption reads “What DO Deaf people want from sign language AI?” Audience members sit in rows with notepads.

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Sep 5

Exciting news – Kate Rowley has been awarded a £1.4M European Research Council (ERC) grant (#ERCStG | @erc.europa.eu) for a 5-year project on tactile BSL in the UK. Starts Jan 2026.
🔗 www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...

Groundbreaking Research on Tactile British Sign Language

Kate Rowley has been awarded a £1.4M ERC grant to lead a 5-year study into tactile British Sign Language, used by deafblind people across the UK.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jul 25

Join us for #DCALx 2025 – an evening of bite-sized talks in BSL exploring sign language, literacy & cognition 📚🧠✨
🗓 4 Sept | 🕕 6–8pm | 📍 UCL London
Free & fully accessible
🔗 www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...

DCALx 2025: Showcasing Research in BSL, Literacy and Cognition

Thursday 4 September 2025 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM University College London, near Russell Square, London

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jul 21

‘No evidence’ BSL harms speech or literacy – instead, early sign boosts language, memory and more! Hats off to @liamodell.com for the scoop. Read the full report: liamodell.com/2025/07/19/e...

‘No evidence’ BSL harms speech or literacy, as researchers stress benefits of early access

Hearing families should stop being told not to use sign language with their deaf children, deaf academic Dr Kate Rowley has said, with there being “no evidence” it impacts speech or literacy.

liamodell.com

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jul 18

💬 Powerful voices, proud community.

We were thrilled to attend the BDA Conference and see so many brilliant people – from passionate presenters to an engaged audience. A celebration of deaf identity, advocacy, and connection.

📸 Photos by Charlie Swinbourne – thank you!

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jul 9

🎉 The Bencie Woll Prize is open for applications!
Celebrating excellence in linguistic research on British Sign Language.
🔗 Apply by 8 Dec: www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...

The Bencie Woll Prize for Linguistic Research on British Sign Language

The Bencie Woll Prize celebrates exceptional research in British Sign Language (BSL) linguistics.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jun 30

Hi! I’m Zahra Nawab, a deaf PhD student at UCL. I’m looking for participants for my research on language, thinking & emotions in deaf adults.

Interested or know someone who might be? Get in touch: [email protected]

For more information, please watch this video: youtu.be/Iw-TiANQpY0

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jun 19

Exciting news! DCAL & UCL IOE launching CPD courses in early 2026 to help deaf teachers prepare to teach the new BSL GCSE in secondary schools. Please contact: [email protected]

youtu.be/rBbO4VFchS0

BSL GCSE

YouTube video by DCAL UCL

youtu.be

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jun 16

SignGPT is a 5-year EPSRC-funded project by Uni of Surrey, UCL DCAL & Oxford, building AI tools with the deaf community. We're a deaf/hearing team looking for more deaf BSL signers to join us!

youtu.be/_UMIBhgEQDI

SignGPT

YouTube video by DCAL UCL

youtu.be

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Jun 3

Discover UCL this July! A free summer school for deaf and hard of hearing students - with BSL interpreters, live captioning, and a chance to explore university life. Apply now by Monday 10th June.

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · May 30

Watch Kearsy Cormier revisit her highly cited 2015 paper on constructed action in BSL, co-authored with Sandra Smith & Zed Sevcikova. She explains what it is, why it matters & how it ranges from role-shifts to facial expressions.
youtu.be/2MbdKpP4RHY?...

Rethinking Constructed Action in BSL: Kearsy Cormier with Sandra Smith & Zed Sevcikova

YouTube video by DCAL UCL

youtu.be

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · May 30

Watch Kearsy Cormier revisit her highly cited 2015 paper on constructed action in BSL, co-authored with Sandra Smith & Zed Sevcikova. She explains what it is, why it matters & how it ranges from role-shifts to facial expressions.
youtu.be/2MbdKpP4RHY?...

Rethinking Constructed Action in BSL: Kearsy Cormier with Sandra Smith & Zed Sevcikova

YouTube video by DCAL UCL

youtu.be

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · May 7

Happy Deaf Awareness Week!
Check out our online course: Deaf Awareness: Working and Communicating Well with Deaf People.
Build practical skills & learn at your own pace—no experience needed.
Sign up here:
www.ucl.ac.uk/short-course...

Deaf Awareness: Working and Communicating Well with Deaf People (online course)

An online deaf awareness course aimed at anyone working with deaf or hearing impaired people. Learn to communicate well with deaf people and better understand access issues using a blend of video and ...

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Apr 28

Today we mark National BSL Day – celebrating the BSL Act 2022, recognising British Sign Language across England, Scotland and Wales. We stand with the Deaf community in pushing for real accessibility and equality. ✊ #NationalBSLDay #BSLAct #DeafRights

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Apr 28

The Bencie Woll Prize is open to early-career researchers (within 7 years of PhD or Master’s) whose work on BSL linguistics has been published in the last 2 years as a first or solo author. Applications close end of May 2025! Full details here: www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/news/20...

The Bencie Woll Prize for Linguistic Research on British Sign Language

The Bencie Woll Prize celebrates exceptional research in British Sign Language (BSL) linguistics. Open to researchers with work published in the last two years, this prize highlights the value of inno...

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Apr 28

We had an amazing time at Deaf Day 2025! 🧡 Thanks to everyone who came by the DCAL stand to chat, learn about our research, and get involved.
#DeafDay #DCAL #DeafCommunity #UCL

Reposted by Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL)

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Feb 17

Are you deaf and interested in research or professional services? DCAL is offering paid one-week placements! Gain hands-on experience in a world-class centre. Apply by 30 April 2025. 📅
Find out more & apply: www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/news/20...
#Deaf #BSL #Internship #UCL

DCAL Paid Internship Opportunities

Are you deaf and interested in language, psychology or neuroscience research? We offer paid Research Placement opportunities. Come and work with us!

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Apr 11

I’m Zahra Nawab, a deaf PhD student at UCL researching language deprivation in deaf adults.
If you’re a clinician with 2+ years’ experience in adult deaf mental health, I’d appreciate it if you could complete my survey on identifying language deprivation.
qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_...

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Apr 10

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Doug Alker. His leadership in the BSL recognition campaign in 2003 had a lasting impact on DCAL’s work. Thank you, Doug, for your tireless advocacy for BSL and the Deaf community.
youtu.be/D_V9oIrvQpI

Doug Alker Tribute

YouTube video by DCAL UCL

youtu.be

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Mar 31

🚨 One month to go
Are you deaf and interested in linguistics, psychology or cognitive neuroscience?
Apply for a paid internship at DCAL, UCL – gain valuable experience at a world-leading research centre.
Deadline: 30 April 2025
👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/news/20...

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Mar 28

🏆 Have you published impactful research on British Sign Language in the past 2 years? Apply for the Bencie Woll Prize and stand out in the field of sign language linguistics. Winner receives £500 and the opportunity to present their work at DCAL. Details: www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/news/20...

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Mar 24

Curious about what we do at DCAL? From world-class research to accessible resources for the deaf community, it’s all here. Explore our work, meet the team, and get involved: www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/researc... #DeafResearch #BSL #UCL

Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL)

We conduct world-class scientific research to empower all deaf people.

www.ucl.ac.uk

Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Mar 21

DCAL staff wish you a Happy Sign Language Week! 💙🤟 #SLW2025 #SignLanguageWeek

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Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) @dcal-ucl.bsky.social · Mar 20

For #SignLanguageWeek, we’re revisiting a previous lay summary on language impairments in sign development. Do these impairments depend on modality, or are they broader linguistic deficits? Watch Clive Mason interview Bencie Woll to find out! #SLW2025 youtu.be/qwJv-fpK17U

Clive Mason and Bencie Woll - Language impairments in the development of sign.

YouTube video by DCAL UCL

youtu.be