Institute of Acoustics Midlands Branch Event: Forensic Speech Science

This talk will provide an overview of the field and explore the activities most commonly carried out by experts in forensic speech and audio analysis.

Institute of Acoustics Midlands Branch Event: Forensic Speech Science

Date: 20-10-26
Time: 18:00
Location:

📍 Venue: Arup, Birmingham
💻 Format: Hybrid (in-person and online via Zoom)

 

Registration and further details available after registering via CPDTag: https://www.cpdtag.com/app.php?event=5A0FFD4345BF279EFA4DE385ECE3EE8
Live streaming available: No

📅 Date: Tuesday 20th October 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
📍 Venue: Arup, Birmingham
💻 Format: Hybrid (in-person and online via Zoom)

 

The Institute of Acoustics Midlands Branch is pleased to invite members and guests to an evening presentation by Dr Lauren Harrington from the University of York.

 

Summary

Forensic speech science is the application of speech-based analyses in criminal and legal settings. This talk will provide an overview of the field and explore the activities most commonly carried out by experts in forensic speech and audio analysis.

 

The presentation will also highlight three strands of research currently being undertaken by the Forensic Speech Science Research Group at the University of York, providing insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the discipline today.

 

Speaker Biography

Dr Lauren Harrington is a Research Fellow in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at the University of York.

 

Her research focuses on the production of transcripts within the criminal justice system, with particular emphasis on the use of AI-based transcription systems in the creation of police interview records. In 2025, Lauren was awarded a competitive ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship and currently lectures on the prestigious MSc in Forensic Speech Science programme at the University of York. Alongside her teaching, she continues to conduct research into the use of AI speech technologies in policing.

 

Midlands Branch AGM

Following the presentation, there will be a short IOA Midlands Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) lasting 5-10 mins. All Midlands Branch members are encouraged to attend and participate.

 

AGM Agenda

  1. Welcome and apologies for absence
  2. Approval of the minutes of the previous AGM
  3. Chair's report
  4. Election of Branch Committee members
  5. Plans and activities for the forthcoming year
  6. Any other business

 

Networking

Attendees joining us in Birmingham are invited to continue the conversation after the event at a nearby bar, providing an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues, the speaker and members of the Midlands Branch Committee.

 

Registration

Registration via CPDTag (https://www.cpdtag.com/app.php?event=5A0FFD4345BF279EFA4DE385ECE3EE8).

 

While the event will also be available online via Zoom, attendance in person is strongly encouraged to maximise opportunities for professional discussion, networking and engagement with fellow acousticians.