Welcome to my corner of the internet where you can learn about my projects, my advocacy, and my work – thanks for stopping by!
On my site you’ll find a repository of my publications, blogs, info and resources including lots of freely available content on my work with cleft lip and palate and the Cleft Research Centre, including video seminars, presentations and publications.
You’ll also find many of my Speech Language Therapy resources, as well as my news and views on places that I have travelled and my interpretations of current events which may influence healthcare practice around the world.
Wanting to get in touch about consultancy, guest lecturing, or a speaking opportunity? Please visit my consultancy page for more information and to get in touch.
Have a look around – starting with latest posts is a great place to start!
About Me
After growing up in East Sussex, United Kingdom, I live in Christchurch, New Zealand and I now consider Aotearoa (New Zealand) to be home. I returned to Aotearoa in early 2020 following an amazing few years living and working in the United Kingdom based in the vibrant city of London.
I have both a personal and academic interest in cleft lip and palate and travel the world to learn about cleft, as well as share my knowledge about cleft to upskill others.
I completed my Speech Language Therapy honours degree in 2015, and worked as a Speech Language Therapist for several years at the TalkLink Trust in the specialist area of Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC). I have also worked extensively in the charity and not-for-profit sector: I am a former CEO of Cleft New Zealand, and in July 2021 completed my role as the Adult Services Project Lead at the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) in the UK.
Currently, I lead the Cleft Research Centre – a specialist centre investigating quality of life across the lifespan (including adolescents, adults, and older adults) for people with cleft and other craniofacial conditions. Although the centre is based in Christchurch, New Zealand, we conduct research with global impact and partner with colleagues and institutions all around the world. Everything we do is designed to improve clinical practice and ensure that patient voices and perspectives are kept at the heart of cleft and craniofacial care.
In 2021, I completed my MSc research degree at the University of Canterbury in Speech and Language Sciences looking at the psychological impact of speech differences in New Zealand adults who were born with a cleft. In 2025 I completed a PhD in both Speech and Language Sciences, and also in Psychology (also at the University of Canterbury); this was a three-year follow up study designing, delivering, and evaluating speech language therapy and psychology interventions to improve quality of life for people who were born with cleft.
I also work part-time as a Lecturer at the University of Canterbury in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing teaching into the Bachelor and Master of Speech Language Pathology programme, and into the Bachelor of Psychological Science programmes. I also supervise Honours and MSc research students within this role.
Finally, I do a lot of consultancy, guest lecturing, and guest presentation work for organisations and institutions all around the world. If you have an opportunity which you think that I might be interested in, please check out my consultancy page to find out more, and to get in touch.
Except where otherwise stated, all views are my own.
Kenny Ardouin 