DCAL (Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre)

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 😄

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

03/08/2026

Huge congratulations to Kate Rowley on her promotion to Associate Professor! This is wonderful and richly deserved news. Everyone at DCAL is delighted to celebrate this brilliant achievement with you, Kate! 🎉

31/07/2026

Just one week left to apply!

The closing date for our Research Communications Co-Ordinator vacancy is Thursday 6 August.

If you're interested or know someone who might be, take a look at the post below and please share it with your networks.

28/07/2026