Speech and Hearing Sciences

As both a researcher and practicing speech-language pathologist, I am committed to addressing clinically meaningful questions that improve the lives of children with speech disorders. My work focuses on optimizing assessment and intervention for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and related conditions. I take a two-pronged in my research: (1) identifying sources of variability in communication development and treatment response, and (2) applying evidence about individual, therapeutic, and environmental factors to design more effective, personalized interventions. I am particularly interested in advancing understanding and outcomes for children with complex profiles, including those with co-occurring autism, language and literacy impairments, and other challenges. In addition to my research, I am deeply invested in teaching and mentoring. I strive to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that challenges students to grow in skill and confidence, using pedagogically grounded techniques to promote classroom engagement, critical thinking, and clinical application.

I joined the DSHS faculty in 1986 as a visiting assistant professor while finishing my dissertation. In 1987, I was fortunate enough to be selected to fill the position full-time. Currently, I am a professor, mother, wife, sister, faculty advisor for the student Autism Speaks U chapter at UNC-CH, and active in my neighborhood association. I am an avid reader, who loves the beach and the mountains and so am very happy to live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina which is mid-way between the mountains and the beaches. I encourage you to visit (or better yet live) here in this Tar Heel side of heaven. Life is very good here.

At UNC, I serve as Director of Global Partnerships for the Department of Health Sciences. I am a COIL Faculty Champion (Collaborative Online International Learning) and teach a COIL course, Global Issues and Practices in Communication Sciences and Disorders. My interests include bilingual language assessment, Global English, and professional development.

I am a member of the Global TALES research group, a subgroup of the Child Language Committee of the International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP). I serve on the Professional Development Committee of the Global Issues and Practices special interest group for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). I participated as a committee member on the ASHA-PAHO Collaboration in Ecuador: Advocacy and Capacity Building for Global Equity. I maintain ongoing collaborative partnerships with Universidad Rafael Landívar in Guatemala and am a member of SomosTLgt, the Guatemalan Speech-Language Therapy Association.

Karen Erickson, Ph.D. is the David E. and Dolores “Dee” Yoder Distinguished Professor of Literacy and Disability Studies in the Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Karen is also the Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies and a Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Karen is a former teacher of students with significant disabilities. Her current research addresses literacy and communication assessment and intervention for students with extensive support needs, as well as the supportiveness of augmentative and alternative communication in interaction. Recent projects have focused on creating open-source professional development and implementation supports such as those available in Project Core and Tar Heel Shared Reader.

I am deeply committed to pediatric audiology and expanding access to high-quality pediatric services across North Carolina. In my clinical role, I serve patients at UNC Hospitals Audiology at Meadowmont and on the UNC Mobile Hearing and Speech Clinic, ensuring children receive essential hearing care in both medical and community-based settings. Additionally, I coordinate school-based hearing screenings for local schools, helping to identify hearing concerns early and support students’ communication and learning.
Beyond clinical care, I am passionate about education and mentorship. As a faculty member, I teach graduate-level courses in audiologic assessment, educational audiology, and clinical issues, helping to shape the next generation of audiologists.
As the clinical education coordinator for the AuD program, I find great fulfillment in guiding graduate students as they master clinical skills, develop confidence, and discover their professional passions. My work bridges patient care and education, fostering strong relationships with children, families, and students while advancing the field of pediatric audiology.