DCAL (Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre)

DCAL (Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre) Welcome to the Deafness Cognition and Language (DCAL) Research Centre, based at University College L

DCAL, based at University College London (UCL), started its research in 2006 with funding from the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It is the largest research centre in this field in Europe with a mix of staff and research students, about 1/3 of whom are Deaf. You can read about our research team and many research projects by clicking on the links at the left of this page.

09/09/2026

Celebrate 20 years of DCAL with us on Saturday 17th October 2026! Registration for DCAL20 closes on 19th September. Read more and book now: https://lnkd.in/e-Q7QGB6

09/09/2026

In our next Academic Spotlight Series, we’re delighted to introduce Dr Brennan Terhune-Cotter.
Brennan, who is deaf and from America, shares his journey from studying Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience to completing a PhD exploring how the brain perceives sign language.
He is now a postdoctoral researcher at DCAL, working on a two-year study looking at BSL fingerspelling and reading. Watch to learn more about his journey, his research, and what led him to where he is today.

09/09/2026

In our next Academic Spotlight Series, we’re delighted to introduce Dr Brennan Terhune-Cotter.

Brennan, who is deaf and from America, shares his journey from studying Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience to completing a PhD exploring how the brain perceives sign language.

He is now a postdoctoral researcher at DCAL, working on a two-year study looking at BSL fingerspelling and reading. Watch to learn more about his journey, his research, and what led him to where he is today.

03/09/2026

New research brief release!
Professor Mairéad MacSweeney looks back at a landmark DCAL study - the first brain imaging study of British Sign Language (BSL). The research showed that BSL and spoken English are processed in very similar regions of the brain, demonstrating that the brain primarily treats language as language, whether it is seen or heard. More than 20 years later, this important finding continues to shape our understanding of how the brain processes signed and spoken languages.

03/09/2026

New research brief release!

Professor Mairéad MacSweeney looks back at a landmark DCAL study - the first brain imaging study of British Sign Language (BSL). The research showed that BSL and spoken English are processed in very similar regions of the brain, demonstrating that the brain primarily treats language as language, whether it is seen or heard. More than 20 years later, this important finding continues to shape our understanding of how the brain processes signed and spoken languages.

24/08/2026

🎉 Celebrate 20 years of DCAL with us!

Join the UCL Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre on Saturday 17 October 2026 for a special day celebrating two decades of pioneering research, collaboration and community.

We’ll bring together DCAL’s past, present and future through memories from the people who helped establish the centre, contributions from former staff, presentations from current researchers, short videos, posters, activities and a panel discussion about the future of deaf research. The day will conclude with a drinks reception.

📅 Saturday 17 October 2026
🕤 Registration from 9.30am; programme 10am–5pm
📍 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London
🎟️ £10 standard / £15 Pay it Forward
🥪 Lunch and refreshments included

The programme will include BSL/English interpretation, tactile/deafblind interpreting and live captions. The venue is guide-dog friendly, and you can tell us about your access requirements when booking.

Places are limited. Read more and book your ticket:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/deafness-cognition-and-language-research-centre-dcal/celebrate-20-years-dcal-us-october

14/08/2026

We’re still looking for volunteers! Sign up and take part in our OPM research 😄

We were delighted to welcome the Beyond the Sign Dream Team from South Korea to DCAL for a visit exploring sign language...
11/08/2026

We were delighted to welcome the Beyond the Sign Dream Team from South Korea to DCAL for a visit exploring sign languages and spoken languages in the age of AI.

A big thank you to Professor Bencie Woll for organising the visit, and to everyone who joined us!

05/08/2026

Last chance to apply, applications close tomorrow!

Our Research Communications Co-Ordinator vacancy closes tomorrow (Thursday 6 August). If you're interested, or know someone who might be, please take a look and share with your networks!

03/08/2026

Just 3 days left to apply!

Don't miss your chance to apply for our Research Communications Co-Ordinator vacancy.

Closing date: Thursday 6 August

Address

49 Gordon Square
London
WC1H0PD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442076798679

Website

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