Dr. Michel Belyk completed his Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster University (Canada) in 2015. He then went on to complete post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Maastricht (The Netherlands), University of Toronto (Canada), and University College London (United Kingdom). This has given him an international perspective on research excellence.

Michel has contributed as a speaker for professional bodies (The British Voice Association) and professional programmes (Voice Study Centre) serving voice professionals (voice coaches, performers, etc.).

I study the human voice, all the things that it says, and how it is able to say them.

My research explores how the brain enables us to use our voices — to speak, to sing, and to express emotions. I’m particularly interested in how the brain controls the voice, and what makes human communication unique compared to other species. I also study how individual differences in the brain can influence the way people speak, such as in the case of stammering.

In broad terms, my work combines brain imaging, brain stimulation, large-scale data analysis, and audio recordings to better understand how the voice works. I enjoy developing new ways to analyse these data, which helps uncover new research questions that we couldn’t ask before.

Because the voice plays a central role in speech, music, and emotional expression, my research connects with many areas of communication. This includes topics like singing, accents, vocal attractiveness, speech rhythm and melody (prosody), vocal imitation, stammering (stuttering), ASMR, and even how the voice can give away attempts to deceive.

I’m passionate about making research more transparent, inclusive, and collaborative. As the Local Network Lead for the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) at Edge Hill University, I work to promote open research practices across disciplines. This includes encouraging data sharing, preregistration, and open methods to improve the reliability and reach of scientific findings. I believe that open research not only strengthens science but also helps build a more equitable and engaging research culture. I am currently working on a number of ways that we can increase uptake in open research practices by making them more efficient.

I’m committed to working alongside people who stammer to ensure their voices are heard — both in science and society. My research is shaped by conversations with the stammering community and aims to support their advocacy by providing a better understanding of the neurobiology of stammering. I’m especially interested in how research can challenge stigma, inform policy, and amplify the lived experiences of those who stammer.