Laura Wolford, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP, CSE is the Director of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Center and the TASSEL (Teaching and Supporting Student Experience in Learning) Lab. In the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program, she teaches courses in community-based participatory methods, counseling, and clinical education.
Dr. Wolford’s work considers health professions education as a public health and health equity issue. As a multiracial, neurodivergent scholar, her lived experience shapes her focus on culture, belonging, and clinical identity development. She uses qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to study student and educator experiences across the training pipeline. She also serves as an Assistant Editor for Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences and Disorders and mentors students in developing SoTL and advocacy projects.
Her clinical practice examines how communication disorders affect intimacy, relationships, and sexuality, guided by the belief that access to sexual health and intimacy is a fundamental disability justice issue. An AASECT-certified sex educator, she presents nationally and internationally on supporting sexual health for individuals with communication disorders and remains active in advocacy and community organizing across both fields.
- BA, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- MS, Speech-Language Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- PhD, Educational Leadership (Healthcare Education Concentration), University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY
- Graduate Certificate in Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Inclusive and equitable pedagogy in speech-language pathology
Impact of communication disorders on sexual health and relationship wellbeing
Specific Area of Expertise
Medical Education
Dr. Wolford has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. You can view a complete listing of Dr. Wolford's publications on Google Scholar or in her CV.
Uncovering the hidden curriculum in health professions education
Teaching the tension between evidence-based practice and culturally-responsive care in speech-language pathology training
Rekindling with aphasia: qualitative findings from an exploratory intimacy support group for people with aphasia and their partners
The impact of acquired communication impairments on sexuality and intimacy: A scoping review
Addressing the impacts of acquired communication disorders on sexuality: speech-language pathologists’ and clinical psychologists’ beliefs and practice patterns
In addition, Dr. Wolford regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.
Culturally responsive mentorship & the hidden curriculum at the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Getting real with AAC: Intimacy communication with the SPICE Institute at Lingraphica.
Communication disorders and how they affect consent conversations, relationships, and intimacy at the Toronto Acquired Brain Injury Network Conference.
Sex, death, and religion: Teaching new clinicians to confront difficult conversations at the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
The SLP role in human sexuality at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association annual conference.
