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Event details
Join us in celebrating 40 years of WA’s largest stuttering treatment clinic and hear about the research that is reshaping our understanding of stuttering and human communication.
Since opening its doors in 1985, the Curtin University Stuttering Treatment Clinic (CUSTC) has helped thousands of people find their voice, offering life-changing speech therapy and pioneering research into the cause and treatment of stuttering.
In this event, we’ll hear from internationally renowned stuttering expert and CUSTC founder, Associate Professor Janet Beilby and research collaborator, leading geneticist Professor Shelly Jo Kraft from Wayne State University in Michigan, United States, on their world-first discovery.
Using samples from over a million people from around the world, including many right here in WA, they have uncovered the genetic link to stuttering and highlighted new genes that are uniquely expressed in our human voice. These discoveries are shaping the way we approach treatment and think about speech regulation.
They’ll be joined later for a panel discussion with CUSTC clinical educator Kathy Viljoen and Jenny Watts representing a family that took part in the study, with panel moderator Peter Dhu from Corporate Communication Experts.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear the story behind the breakthrough discovery set to transform how we understand, diagnose and support those who stutter and celebrate the remarkable legacy that made it possible.
This event is for anyone impacted by stuttering or interested in how DNA shapes our lives – from researchers and clinicians to alumni, research participants and people with lived experience.
If you can’t make it in person, you can join us online. Please note a link to stream the event will be sent to you via email closer to the date.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Date
Tuesday 14 October 2025
Time
5.00pm – 5.30pm: Registration and light refreshments
5.30pm – 7.00pm: Formal proceedings
7.00pm – 7.30pm: Networking and light refreshments
Location
John Curtin Gallery
Building 200A
Curtin University
–
Or online
Presenters & Panellists
Associate Professor Janet Beilby
Associate Professor Janet Beilby is a global leader in translational speech pathology research, recently co-authoring a groundbreaking genetic study that identified 48 genes and 57 genomic hotspots linked to stuttering. Her work, conducted through the Curtin University Stuttering Treatment Clinic, has extended over 40 years and will, in future, enable early prediction and intervention for children at risk of developmental stuttering.
With over 10,000 individuals treated and a legacy of innovation in AI and VR-driven education, Associate Professor Beilby continues to shape clinical guidelines and global collaboration. Her research is poised to transform lives, offering hope for families affected by hereditary speech disorders and advancing precision medicine in communication health.
Professor Shelly Jo Kraft
Shelly Jo Kraft, PhD, CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor and Director of the Behavior, Speech & Genetics Laboratory at Wayne State University (Detroit, USA), where her current research focuses on the biological and behavioral genetics of developmental stuttering. In addition to being an international scientist and clinically active speech-language pathologist, she brings to her work extensive training in neuroscience, molecular human biology, and genetics. Dr. Kraft’s team is working to map gene expression onto pathophysiological mechanisms that control and contribute to speech production, regulation, and severity.
Kathy Viljoen
Kathy Viljoen is an experienced clinician and clinical educator, working exclusively in the field of stuttering disorders. She is a clinical educator at Curtin University, supervising both undergraduate and Masters students in their stuttering placements. Kathy also works in private practice, and is dedicated to supporting children, their families and adults who stutter to achieve greater fluency and communicative confidence.
Kathy believes that therapy should be a positive, evidence-based and family centred process. Through telepractice, Kathy also delivers services to clients across Australia and overseas. She is a part of the ‘International Stuttering Project’ which has investigated the genes responsible for stuttering. Kathy has received numerous awards for her work as a clinician and clinical educator.
Jenny Watts
Jenny Watts is a librarian at the State Library of Western Australia. She worked as a teacher for twelve years before pursuing further study in Information and Library at Curtin University.
Jenny is mum to Ellen (12), Matthew (9) and James (7) who have all experienced stuttering – a condition that runs in their family.
Peter Dhu
Peter Dhu is a public speaking and presentation skills trainer who is passionate about giving people
a voice and the skills to speak up confidently and effectively. He works with executives, leaders, and
organisations to craft powerful and influential presentations that have impact and create change.
Peter, himself a person who stutters, has transitioned from being unable to speak to speaking for his living, and he attributes this transformation to stuttering therapy, support and research. So Peter has a special interest in tonight’s stuttering research rumble
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research at Curtin University and CEO of Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia. Lindy is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, frameworks, and activities to achieve the University’s strategic goals in research and IP commercialisation.
In her role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Professor Fitzgerald has responsibility for the portfolios of Research Partnerships, the Mining Technologies and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, the Curtin University National Resilience and Security Program Office, Research Services and Systems, and Research Excellence. She manages strategic initiatives to empower Curtin University to lead research that Australia and our global partners need now and for the future.
Professor Fitzgerald also leads a team of researchers and postgraduate students in nationally coordinated research focused on understanding and preventing the loss of function that occurs following neurotrauma.
Activation Booths
Dr Alice Hart
Alice is a certified practicing speech pathologist, lecturer, and clinical coordinator in Curtin University’s School of Allied Health. Alice completed her PhD in stuttering in 2022 and was awarded a Chancellor’s Commendation of Excellence for her research. Her clinical and research interests include treatment of stuttering difficulties and improving quality of life for adults who stutter.
Alice completed a clinical trial of an integrated fluency + Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for adults who stutter, co-written with Associate Professor Janet Beilby. Alice also works with people who stutter and their families in private practice.
Dr Emily Lowther
Emily Lowther, PhD, CCC-SLP, CPSP lectures at Curtin University. She is currently investigating the speech fluency profiles of people with Down syndrome. Her goals include updating and quantifying speech norms for the Down syndrome population, understanding the mechanisms driving higher rates of stuttering, exploring perspectives of stuttering from people with coexisting disabilities, and developing new therapeutic guidelines to support them to speak with greater ease and confidence.
Rachel Michael
Rachel Michael is a PhD candidate at Curtin University researching stuttering in school-aged children. Her work focuses on better understanding the differences between children who stutter, those who have recovered, and those with fluent speech. She is also piloting an integrated treatment approach that combines socio-emotional and self-regulation skills training for children and their parents with the contemporary stuttering interventions delivered by the Curtin University Stuttering Treatment Clinic. Rachel is passionate about translating research into practical support for families and clinicians, and believes in combining evidence-based intervention with a holistic, child-centred approach.
Access
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