Julie Cichero, PhD is a clinician (SLP), researcher and research professional with more than 30 years’ experience into eating, drinking and swallowing problems (dysphagia). Julie is an Honorary Associate Professor with the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Queensland and Director of Eat Drink Swallow Safe. She has made significant contributions to the evidence base for standardised terminology for texture modified food and thick liquids, diagnostic use of swallow-respiratory sounds, medication swallowing issues and characterisation of thick fluids.

Julie holds workshops on dysphagia throughout Australia and is an invited international speaker across Asia, Europe, Canada and the USA. Recognised nationally and internationally, Julie is a consultant to professional societies, government organisations, academia, Coroners, boards and healthcare organisations. As Co-Founder of IDDSI (Global), Julie co-led development of the IDDSI Framework, an initiative to reduce choking risk in vulnerable populations.

The IDDSI Framework is used in more than 50 countries around the world. Julie has served as a clinical expert to the Aged Care Standards Expert Working Group for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and as a consultant for the Australian Stroke Foundation, Speech Pathology Australia, Dietitians Australia and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia.

She has authored more than 70 academic journal articles and co-authored four books. Julie is based in Brisbane, Australia.