About us
Meet the SSLiC team
Dr Ioanna Bakopoulou
Dr Ioanna Bakopoulou is a qualified educational psychologist with more than 20 years of applied educational psychology practice. Her research focuses on language inequalities, early intervention and supporting educators’ professional development.
Ioanna’s research illuminates debates on the importance of oral language by demonstrating that language and communication skills are essential for educational achievement, positive mental health and predictive of long-term outcomes.
Anne-Marie Cray
Anne-Marie Cray is a speech and language therapist with more than 30 years’ experience working with children and families in early years, primary and secondary school settings. She has been a facilitator for the SSLiC Programme since 2019 and has supported nurseries, PVIs and primary schools.
Anne-Marie also works as an advisor for Speech and Language UK.
Leah Stephens
Leah is a speech and language therapist with extensive experience of supporting children with speech, language and communication needs across early years and school settings. Leah has completed an MSc in Autism and has worked as a highly specialist speech and language therapist with autistic children and their families in early years and special school provision.
Leah is also a Lecturer and Lead of Clinical Education for the BSc Speech and Language Therapy course at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Leah has been a SSLiC facilitator since 2022, and has supported both nurseries and primary school settings.
Collaborators
- Dr Sam Burr
- Dr Sharon Baker
- Professor Yvonne Wren
- Dr Amelia Roberts