October 2024 marked a significant moment for CLEFT-supported clinicians and researchers as they travelled to Japan for the 15th International Cleft Congress - a prestigious event that occurs just once every four years.

Held at the stunning Kyoto International Conference Centre, CLEFT2025 brought together approximately 1,400 delegates from 96 countries, showcasing the truly global nature of the cleft multidisciplinary community. The conference provided an invaluable opportunity for clinicians to share their work amongst their peers, spark collaborations, and ensure that research findings can quickly influence practice around the world.

Three CLEFT-funded professionals represented the UK at this year's congress, each bringing important research that demonstrates the charity's impact on advancing cleft care.

Hearing Outcomes Research Reaches Global Audience

Sophie Butterworth, recipient of CLEFT's first £50,000 annual research grant in 2024, had particular reason to celebrate. Three parts of her hearing outcomes study were selected for presentation at the congress - a real honour given the competitive nature of the event.

Her research has examined the hearing outcomes of almost 12,000 children born with a cleft in England, providing families with accurate information about hearing loss risk. "We can now accurately tell families about the risk of hearing loss which occurs in roughly 1 in 5 children born with a cleft," Sophie explained.

The opportunity to share these findings internationally is transformative. "Sharing findings in this way means my work can influence the practice of other cleft professionals quickly, which in turn helps their patients and parents," Sophie noted. "It can also lead to other collaborative research projects with members of the audience, and their feedback can help strengthen and improve my study."

Read about the Hearing Outcomes research project here

Building Bridges: UK-Nepal Collaboration

Joshua Kennedy represented CLEFT at his first international conference, a milestone made more meaningful by his journey with the charity from undergraduate dental student at Queen's University Belfast to presenting collaborative research on the world stage.

The UK and Nepal teams jointly presented two posters in collaboration with Kirtipur Cleft and Burns Hospital in Kathmandu:

• "From 'Heal the World' to Healing Together: Practical Cleft Care Collaboration Between Nepal and the UK"
• "Bridging the Gap Through Alveolar Bone Grafting: UK and Nepal"

These posters emphasised the value of sustainable, long-term partnerships and demonstrated a practical framework for successful international collaboration - providing a strong foundation for future joint research between the UK and Nepal.

For Joshua, the experience was transformative. "The conference was filled with inspiring people, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to cleft care," he reflected. "I felt strongly supported by CLEFT colleagues throughout the event, and it was uplifting to reconnect with members I've worked with over the years through committees and fundraising - many from the 2023 Berlin Marathon team were also there."

Read more about the Nepal project here

Speech Outcomes Research Sparks Global Discussion

Imogen Underwood, a Speech and Language Therapist, delivered an oral presentation showcasing recent research examining speech outcomes for children with cleft and non-cleft velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) following an Orticochea pharyngoplasty.

This important work, carried out across two cleft centres in the UK and funded by CLEFT, adds valuable evidence to support clinical decision-making for children requiring surgical management of VPD. The presentation stimulated discussion among surgeons, speech and language specialists, and researchers from around the world.

"The congress provided a fabulous opportunity to present new findings on the international stage," Imogen reflected. The rich multidisciplinary programme and international audience at the Kyoto International Conference Centre encouraged the kind of discussion, collaboration, and innovation that advances the entire field.

Imogen, along with colleagues Anje Wessels, Francesca Galeota, Marie Pinkstone and Patricia Rorison, expressed their gratitude to CLEFT for supporting the research project.

Read more about the Speech Outcomes project here

Beyond the Conference

The setting itself added to the experience. Kyoto, with its serene shrines, ancient temples, and streets steeped in history and spirituality, provided a fascinating backdrop to the academic programme. For many attendees, exploring the city's cultural heritage added a memorable personal dimension to an already enriching professional experience.

Looking Ahead

The impact of CLEFT's investment in research and international collaboration was evident throughout the congress. When clinicians share their findings on the world stage, it accelerates improvements in care for children with clefts everywhere - from the UK to Nepal to countries across the globe.

As Joshua enthused: "I left Kyoto feeling inspired, motivated, and proud to be part of CLEFT–Bridging the Gap. I'm already looking forward to CLEFT2029 in Brisbane, Australia!"

The success of the UK delegation at CLEFT2025 demonstrates why supporting research and enabling clinicians to share their work internationally remains such a vital part of CLEFT's mission. These presentations don't just represent academic achievement - they represent real improvements in care for children and families affected by cleft conditions worldwide.