Open House for Research | November

Open House on 12 November 2025 showcased exciting research across healthcare, language, and AI, chaired by Prof. Alec Shepley.

Chris Bellis – Encouraging Research in Physiotherapy

Chris Bellis, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, presented a poster detailing a small-scale research project funded through an RCBC Wales fellowship. This project was Chris’s first step onto the research ladder and first attempt at qualitative research.

The study aimed to explore how newly graduated physiotherapists were transitioning into practice. Chris began with a scoping review and found very limited literature in the UK, with only one previous survey to build upon. The project involved interviews with three experienced physiotherapists who shared their experiences working with new graduates.

Key themes:

• Prepared for practice – how well graduates were equipped for real-world work
• Bridging the gap – the transition from academic training to professional practice
• Welcome to the real world – the challenges new graduates face

The poster was also presented at a physiotherapy conference in Newport, highlighting the challenges of recruiting NHS staff and sharing insights into supporting early-career physiotherapists.

Dmitrii Iarovoi – Historical Bias and AI

Dmitrii Iarovoi, PhD Researcher in Computing, explored historical biases in AI, presenting his research at a conference in Newport in August. He asked attendees to imagine visiting a castle, using ChatGPT to answer historical questions. Dmitrii’s work highlighted that AI could hallucinate or show bias, with answers often inconsistent and influenced by regional identity.

Dmitrii noted that large language models (LLMs) have dual potential: they can enrich historical interpretation but may also unintentionally introduce bias. This research underscores the need for careful consideration when using AI in educational or cultural contexts.

Thomas Starr-Marshall – Ultrasound Imaging of Welsh Vowels

Thomas Starr-Marshall, Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy shared his work on the ultrasound imaging of Welsh vowels, conducted at the Eisteddfod in August. Collecting data from 45 participants, Thomas examined six Welsh words representing different tongue positions and the subtle pronunciation differences between North and South Wales.

Using an ultrasound probe alongside a front-facing camera, Thomas visualised tongue movement and lip rounding, details previously studied only acoustically. The findings have important applications:

• Supporting speech and language therapy for children with speech disorders
• Helping Welsh learners understand tongue placement for accurate pronunciation

Open House provided an excellent opportunity to see research in action, with projects ranging from healthcare transitions to AI ethics and linguistic science. It’s a great chance to present your work to a friendly, encouraging audience.

Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussions – we’ll see you next time!