How This Researcher Advanced the Quality of Life for People Who Stutter

Supporting early-career researchers can shape the future of an entire field. For speech-language pathologist (SLP) and researcher Dr. Robyn Croft Albaum, PhD, CCC-SLP, receiving support through the National Stuttering Association Research Fund Award (NSARFA) helped launch research that continues to influence how clinicians and researchers think about well-being and stuttering.

“This support allowed me to recruit a sufficient number of adults who stutter for my pilot study, which explored the effectiveness of an online self-compassion intervention for improving quality of life,” said Dr. Croft Albaum. 

A Doctoral Research Project Focused on Self-Compassion

When Dr. Croft Albaum received the NSARFA in 2020, she was in the early stages of her doctoral training. Her research focused on an emerging concept in stuttering research: the role of self-compassion and psychological well-being for adults who stutter. At the time, the idea of delivering these types of interventions online was still relatively new, making the project both innovative and timely.

“I was a second-year doctoral student at The University of Texas at Austin studying under the mentorship of Dr. Courtney Byrd,” she said. 

Turning Early Research Into Published Work

What began as a pilot project quickly developed into meaningful contributions to the field. Through her research, Dr. Croft Albaum examined how psychosocial approaches—such as self-compassion interventions—might help improve quality of life for adults who stutter alongside traditional clinical approaches.

“This work has been published in the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and presented at national and international conferences, including the ASHA convention and the WSCO Conference,” Dr. Croft Albaum said. 

Key Milestones After the National Stuttering Association Research Fund Award

Since completing her fellowship-supported research, Dr. Croft Albaum has continued building an impressive academic and professional record. Her work has expanded into broader investigations of the psychological experiences of people who stutter and how those experiences influence communication and well-being.

From Researcher to Global Leader in Stuttering Education

Today, Dr. Croft Albaum plays a key role in advancing both research and clinical training in the field of stuttering. Her work focuses on translating evidence-based research into real-world clinical practices that directly benefit people who stutter.

“I work at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research at The University of Texas at Austin,” she said. “As a speech-language pathologist and the Assistant Director of Global Research, I help translate research into practice by implementing evidence-based practices in the clinical setting with persons who stutter, training undergraduate and graduate students, and collaborating with individuals worldwide to advance research and clinical training opportunities.”

Improving Quality of Life for People Who Stutter

Ultimately, Dr. Croft Albaum’s work reflects a broader mission within the stuttering community: improving the lives of people who stutter not only through clinical intervention but also through research, education, and global collaboration.

“My current work aims to improve the quality of life for persons who stutter through clinical practice, training of undergraduate and graduate students, and research,” Dr. Croft Albaum said. 

To learn more about NSA-approved research studies, visit WeStutter.org/post/approved-stuttering-research.