Dr. JOSEPH G. AGIUS, M.Sc. (Dublin), Ed.D. (Sheffield), is a registered Speech Language
Pathologist with special interest in fluency disorders and humour research. He holds a Master of
Science degree in Clinical Speech and Language Studies from Trinity College, University of Dublin and
a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Sheffield. As partner expert nominated by the
University of Malta, Dr. Agius collaborates with experts from ten European Universities on the
development and delivery of the ‘European Clinical Specialization Course in Fluency Disorders’. He has
an extensive background in training, lecturing, evaluation, facilitation and programme management.
Dr. Agius has experience working with diverse populations around Europe helping to develop skills in
communication, leadership and public speaking, and conflict management. He is Senior Principal of
the Speech Language Department and employed by the Health Division, Government of Malta. Dr.
Agius is reviewer for the Journal of Fluency Disorders and the International Journal of Language and
Communication Disorders, and lectures at the University of Malta on ‘Fluency Disorders’, ‘Language
and Psychiatry’ and ‘Creativity, Humour and Communication’. He is member on the Board of Studies
of the Communication Therapy Division, University of Malta. Dr. Agius has been a state-appointed
family mediator since the very inception of the Family Court in 2003 and Civil and Commercial
Mediator in 2008.
List of Publications
Theses:
EdD Thesis
School of Education, University of Sheffield, UK (2007)
Title of Thesis: ‘Un-cemented words’- School-age children who stutter: Feelings and attitudes
following a thinking skills programme’
M.Sc. Thesis
Trinity College, University of Dublin (1995)
Title of Thesis: Language Analysis of Bilingual Maltese-English Stuttering Children.
Publications:
AGIUS, J. (2009) School-Age Children who Stutter: Attitude changes following a Thinking Skills
Programme. Journal of Stuttering Therapy, Advocacy and Research.
AGIUS, J. (1995) Language Analysis of a bilingual Maltese-English stuttering child. In: H.W.
Peters, (Eds.), Stuttering: proceedings of the first world congress on fluency disorders: Munich,
Germany, August 8-11 (pp. 175- 178). The Netherlands: University Press Nijmegen.
Work in Progress
PROYER, R.T., RUCH, W., AGIUS, J. et al. (data analysis). Breaking ground in cross-cultural
research on the fear of being laughed at (gelotophobia): multi-national study involving 74
countries.
AGIUS, J., PLATT, T., & Ruch. W. (data collection) Gelotophobia and Stuttering: The fear of
being laughed at among people who stutter.
PLATT, T., & AGIUS, J. (devising instrument) The Ridicule and Teasing Scenarios Questionnaire
for Stuttering (RTSq_stuttering).
RUCH, W., PLATT, T., &
Stuttering.
AGIUS, J. (devising instrument) GELOPH <S> Questionnaire for
AGIUS, J., & PLATT, T. (data collection) Ridicule and Teasing in school age children who stutter.
Conference Presentations
AGIUS, J. (2010, April) Seminar: ‘Wit or Without: Facilitating a Positive Attitude towards
Communication using Humour in Stuttering Therapy. 2nd European Symposium on Fluency
Disorders, Antwerp, Belgium.
AGIUS, J. (2009, March) Workshop: Thinking Skills: Targeting this-ability in school-age children
who stutter. 1st International Conference on Strategic Innovation and Future Creation, Malta
AGIUS, J. (2008, July) Workshop: With a little help from the ‘young consultants’: The ‘Smart
Intervention Strategy’ for school-age children who stutter. 8th Oxford Dysfluency Conference,
Oxford, U.K.
AGIUS, J. (2008, April) Seminar: The Smart Intervention Strategy (SIS) for School-Aged Children
who Stutter. European Symposium on Fluency Disorders, Antwerp, Belgium.
AGIUS, J. (2007, May). Workshop: School-age Children who Stutter: Coping with Attitudes and
Emotions …. Made Simple! 8th World Congress for People who Stutter, Croatia.
AGIUS, J. (2002, August). Workshop: Stuttering: Coping with Attitudes and Emotions … made
simple! Socrates Intensive Programme - Speech and Language Therapy: Towards an International
Dimension in Assessment and Therapy, Dublin, Ireland.
AGIUS, J., & MICALLEF, R. (2000, July). Workshop: The Early Bird Programme in Malta. First
Malta International Conference on Autism, Malta.
Conference Presentations (Posters):
AGIUS, J. (1994, August). Poster session: Language Analysis of a bilingual Maltese-English
stuttering child. 1st World Congress on Fluency Disorders, Munich, Germany.