Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists are a vital part of today's health teams, helping people to achieve their personal goals after illness or injury.
Our occupational therapy courses combine workshops and tutorials with case studies and practical sessions to enable you to develop the range of skills and abilities needed for an occupational therapy career.
We have taught occupational therapy since 1990. Our £13 million Robert Winston Building features a fully equipped vocational rehabilitation room with equipment used to help people back into the workplace.
This, combined with our strong links with leading health professionals and healthcare providers throughout the UK, make our courses a first class route into occupational therapy.
A 360 degree tour of the home environment room in our Robert Winston Building
We offer continuing professional development modules and short courses. Find out more.
Read about our occupational therapy teaching team.
Read about our health and social care research centres and their areas of research expertise.
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. Find out more.
One of our lecturers receives the highest honour available from the College of Occupational Therapists. Read more about it.
Search results - 8 results found
Occupational therapists are a vital part of today's health teams, helping individuals overcome the physical, psychological or social problems caused by illness, injury or disability. They work with people of all ages to enable them to meet their personal goals and achieve health, wellbeing and life satisfaction.The role of occupational therapy is... More information
This pre registration course is for students wishing to qualify as an occupational therapist. It is suitable for people with a degree in a relevant area such as social, psychological or biological sciences, or have a relevant professional qualification. You learn about occupational therapy through practice in various health and social care and... More information
This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in the benefits and importance of work. This includes people working in areas such as occupational health, human resources, employment services, rehabilitation or disability services. The course examines the social and political context of work. It explores barriers that individuals with illness,... More information
This course is an opportunity for occupational therapists worldwide to explore contemporary practices in an international online learning community. The course is delivered entirely online and uses a range of creative learning resources, such as digital stories, e-lectures, wikis and blogs in a virtual learning environment (VLE). Online learning... More information
Practice-based learning is a style of learning for students who already have some experience of working in health and social care. It builds on skills and knowledge you already have.This course is suitable if you have around two years experience in a health and social care role, such as • occupational therapy support worker in the NHS• community... More information
The masters course is designed for qualified occupational therapists The course is • relevant to occupational therapists both in the UK and internationally• modular and builds on your practice as an occupational therapist• designed so you can study alongside therapists from other disciplines such as physiotherapists and from a variety of... More information
This interprofessional course enables experienced professionals from all areas of health, social care, biomedical science and sport and exercise science to focus on their specific research interests and gain a professional doctorate award.Professional doctorates are equivalent to PhDs but focus on the development of professional practice and suit... More information
Postgraduate
Part-time
Subject area
Related subjects
This course is for health and social care managers and leaders at any level and with any amount of experience. It supports your ongoing professional development towards improved effectiveness, and greater management and leadership responsibility. Its flexible design supports you in your workplace. We base your learning within your own employment... More information
Postgraduate
Part-time
Subject area
Related subjects
Home environment room
The home environment room in our Robert Winston Building gives our students realistic workplace training.
Continuing professional development
We have an large range of credited modules that you can take individually or as part of a study programme.
We also run short courses for staff working in the health, social care, biosciences and sport. They are designed to meet a range of needs and to be responsive to the changing demands of the work environment.
Visit the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing continuing professional development website for more information and to search our modules database.
Margaret Spencer

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2505
E-mail m.spencer@shu.ac.uk
I have worked at the University for over sixteen years with my main involvement in practice placement and accreditation of placement educators. I have recently published a book Surviving your placement in health and social care for all health and social care students.
I have recently presented papers and posters at the College of Occupational Therapy national conference including role emerging placements, the theory practice interface and sexuality workshops for people with learning disabilities.
I only work part-time at the University as I also run my own business offering professional support for occupational therapists working in a range of clinical areas including neuro rehab, older people, people with learning disabilities and people with eating disorders. These span the NHS, private practice and the voluntary sector.
I also co-facilitate eight week workshops for people with learning disabilities exploring relationships and sexuality.
I am a member of BASE (British Association of Sexual Educators).
Presentations
June 2008 Poster presentation. The road less travelled - sexuality for people with learning disabilities. College of Occupational Therapists' Annual Conference Harrogate
June 2008 Workshop. Relationships and sexuality for people with learning disabilities. College of Occupational Therapists' Annual Conference Harrogate
Publications
Co-author of Healey Joan, Spencer Margaret (2008) Surviving your placement in health and social care. Milton Keynes Open University Press.
Dr Sarah Cook

Lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5672
E-mail s.p.cook@shu.ac.uk
Having joined the university in 2007, I teach on undergraduate and masters level modules on occupational therapy and vocational rehabilitation courses, and supervise PhD students. I am also admissions tutor for the MSc Occupational Therapy pre-registration course.
Previously in the UK I worked as an occupational therapist in elderly care settings, mental health and in primary care. In countries in Africa and the Middle East I worked to develop and provide training in community based rehabilitation. Over the last 20 years I have held jobs in management, teaching, audit and research have focussed on developing client centred mental health care and service user involvement.
I belong to the College of Occupational Therapy specialist interest group for mental health (COTSS- Mental Health) and World Federation of Occupational Therapists. I am a regular reviewer for the British Journal of Occupational Therapists and the Journal of Mental Health.
PhD supervision
I welcome students interested in investigating the experiences of people with mental health problems and the effectiveness of recovery focussed interventions. I can support a range of both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches and methods.
Examples of Publications
Cook, S, Chambers, E. and Coleman J. 2009 Occupational therapy for people with psychotic conditions in community settings: a randomised controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation 23: 40 - 52
Cook, S, Chambers, E. 2009 What helps and hinders people with psychotic conditions doing what they want in their daily lives. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 72(6) 238-248.
Cook S. 2008 Sheffield Health and Work Strategy Group Evaluation Report. Sheffield Health and Work Strategy Group. Distributed by SOHAS, Sheffield.
Cook S. 2009 Summary of the Consultation on the Draft Sheffield Strategy for Mental Health and Wellbeing 2008. Sheffield: Sheffield Mental Health Partnership Board, Sheffield PCT.
Sue Walsh
Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2363
E-mail s.e.walsh@shu.ac.uk
I have worked as a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University since 1991. I am interested in all aspect of mental health and worked with many groups of people including older adults, people with severe and enduring mental health problems, mothers with post-natal illness and acuPhoney, ill people in hospital and in the community.
I have had numerous roles within the faculty including route leader for the full-time and part-time routes in occupational therapy, development of the work-based learning route in Lincolnshire in conjunction with physiotherapy, route leader for First Contact Care and most recently the Faculty Associate Director for the Learner Autonomy (Centre for Education Teaching and Learning.
Summary of research activity
I completed my masters degree in sociological research in health care in 1990. Most of my research activity has focused on teaching and learning and this includes articles and presentations on action learning, interprofessional learning, e-learning, work-based learning and mentoring for professional development.
Other areas of research interest
I am currently doing a Doctorate in Education which will explore how personal experience informs learning in mental health.
I am interested in all aspects of learner autonomy but especially looking at emotional aspects of learning, transitions into higher education and e-learning.
Maureen Coleman

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2405
E-mail m.coleman@shu.ac.uk
I joined the occupational therapy team full time in 2008, having previously been seconded from the NHS. My clinical experience has been in the area of older adults and mental health. I am year one admissions tutor for the degree and a liaison tutor for placements. I am involved in teaching on the occupational therapy and interprofessional modules.
Summary of research activity
I have recently completed an MSc in Health Psychology using internet mediated research, which is currently being written up for possible publication.
Consultancy
I have contributed to the development of a self assessment tool for workforce development skills around behaviour change.
Tina Guilford

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114-225-2304
E-mail m.guilford@shu.ac.uk
I have worked as a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University since December 2008. I teach on the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy and contribute to the occupational therapy masters programme. I am also part of the practice placement team.
I trained at Sheffield Hallam and qualified in 1998. I have specialised in neurology since the year 2000. Following basic grade rotational posts I spent 18 months working in an inpatient neuro rehab unit and a year as occupational therapist on a stroke unit.
I then worked for five and a half years in an interdisciplinary community rehabilitation team working with people with complex physical disabilities in their own homes. During this time I also acted as manger to the team for two years to cover a staff secondment.
I am a member of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section for Neurological Practice (COT-SS Neurological Practice).
I am studying part time for an MSc in Vocational Rehabilitation at Sheffield Hallam.
Melanie Bryer

Senior lecturer
Phone0114 225 2222
E-mail m.j.bryer@shu.ac.uk
I joined Sheffield Hallam in 1990 and have completed roles such as admissions tutor and timetabling tutor. I have also been an elected, academic representative on the University Academic Board for several years and been a member of the student appeals panel. I have a variety of academic and administrative roles within the occupational therapy at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Currently my main areas of interest involves musculoskeletal conditions and physical rehabilitation including functional anatomy, hand therapy and splinting (orthotics). I also teach some of the neuroanatomy and I am involved in the level five and six inter-professional learning research (dissertation) modules.
I am the level six year tutor and this includes involvement in various aspects of employability development for our future graduates. I am a reviewer on the health and wellbeing ethics committee and am currently project leader for two University-funded educational development projects.
Summary of research activity
Educational research, undergraduate student academic progress and development
Sheffield Hallam University Centre for Excellence in Employability project (EC3i) 2007/08.
Dr Theresa Baxter

Senior lecturer
I’m currently course lead for the occupational therapy work based learning programme based in Lincolnshire. I have been at Sheffield Hallam University since July 2007 and have worked in other HEIs prior to this.
I have worked in London, Watford and Nottingham in a variety of clinical settings including acute medical and surgical care, hand therapy, orthotics, rehabilitation, outpatients, and community mental health for older people.
I am a Registrant Assessor for the Health Professions Council, and a regular reviewer for the British Journal of Occupational Therapy. Currently I am an external examiner for the occupational therapy course at the University of West England.
Summary of research activity
My research interests have been in practice placement education, therapeutic activity and human relations. My doctoral thesis was entitledthe realities of practice placement learning from the experiences of occupational therapy students. This was a qualitative study carried out as part of a doctorate with the University of Sheffield. I have published articles in peer reviewed journals, co-authored book chapters and presented at national and international conferences.
Nick Pollard

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2416
E-mail n.pollard@shu.ac.uk
I have been a senior lecturer in occupational therapy since 2003, year two tutor, placement tutor and research co-ordinator. I qualified 1991 from the Derby School of OT.
Previously I have worked in enduring mental health in Sheffield, mental health day hospital and assertive outreach in Doncaster, and as a research and development worker. I have a MA in psychiatry society and philosophy (University of Sheffield 1996) and an MSc in Occupational Therapy (Sheffield Hallam 2001).
I regularly review articles for British Journal of Occupational Therapy, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, and Groupwork. I am on the editorial board for the last journal, Groupwork. In the past I have also reviewed articles for Disability and Rehabilitation and the Journal of Occupational Science. Recently I have jointed the Green Occupational Therapy Network.
Examples of Publications
Kronenberg F, Pollard N, Sakellariou D (2011). Occupational therapy without borders volume 2. Churchill Livingston.
Pollard N, Sakellariou D, Kronenberg F (2008) (eds), Political Practice in Occupational Therapy
Nick Pollard

Senior lecturer
I've been a senior lecturer in occupational therapy since 2003. I teach mostly in subject areas relating to community practice, occupational science and mental health, having previously practised in psychiatric settings. I am year two tutor and one of the research co-ordinators for the team, working towards a PhD.
I am on the editorial board of a couple of academic journals and review papers and book proposals for a number of publications and publishers. My research interests are in community based rehabilitation and community publishing, a field I have long been active in through the Federation of Worker Writers and Community Publishers and TheFED.
I am a director of Pecket Learning Community, an educational co-operative run by people with difficulties in writing and learning. These involvements have been important in contributing to the occupation based theory. I am continuing to develop with colleagues through several books in preparation. Some of our work (widely used in professional courses around the world) is listed here.
Published literature
Kronenberg, F, Simo Algado, S and Pollard N (2005) (eds), Occupational Therapy without borders - learning from the spirit of survivors, Edinburgh, Elsevier Science
Pollard N, Sakellariou D, Kronenberg F (2008) (eds), A Political Practice of Occupational Therapy, Edinburgh, Elsevier Science
Kronenberg F, Pollard N, Sakellariou D (eds) Occupational therapies without borders. Edinburgh, Elsevier Science (2010)
Shirley Masterson

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2505
E-mail s.s.masterson@shu.ac.uk
I have worked at Sheffield Hallam University since May 2007. I am mainly involved with placement learning as one of the practice education module leaders, providing placement teaching, including manual handling and am involved in the accreditation of placement educators.
My clinical interests are mainly in rheumatology, having previously worked as a senior occupational therapist in rheumatology for 12 years.
I also have an interest in reflective learning and the use of ePortfolios for the undergraduates.
Summary of research activity
I completed my Masters degree in Health and Social Care in 2006. My dissertation was a pilot study for a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the addition of joint protection advice to an exercise programme in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the hand.
Emma Taylor

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114-225-5397
E-mail e.l.taylor@shu.ac.uk
I joined the University as a senior lecturer in 2004, having previously worked in practice for 10 years. My main area of work was with older people although I also have experience with younger adults with physical disabilities and learning disabilities.
I teach on a number of modules on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. I have an MSc in Health Ergonomics. My research for my MSc looked at the appearance of assistive equipment in terms of usability. I am currently planning on writing this up for publication.
I am also one of the ergonomists for the Sheffield Hallam ergonomics service which involves carrying out workplace assessments for Sheffield Hallam staff. As part of the ergonomics service I am also involved in the development of universal wellbeing. As well as being the module lead for two modules, I am the subject group disability co-ordinator and a visiting placement tutor.
Dr Rachel O'Brien
Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2241
E-mail r.obrien@shu.ac.uk
I have been a senior lecturer in occupational therapy at Sheffield Hallam since January 2006. I teach on the pre-reg MSc Occupational Therapy, the MSc Vocational Rehabilitation. I am responsible for all MSc research activity for these courses. My areas of interest include research methods, musculoskeletal conditions, and the impact of self-efficacy on functional performance.
Summary of research activity
I am currently part of a research team which is evaluating the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation for people with inflammatory arthritis. I have completed an MSc using action research, and a PhD the aim of which was to develop and evaluate a cognitive-behavioural education programme for people with deQuervain's disease. I have published articles in peer reviewed journals, co-authored book chapter and presented at national and international conferences.
Examples of publications
Batteson R, Hammond A, Burke F, Sinha S (2008) The De Quervain’s Screening Tool: validity and reliability of a measure to support clinical diagnosis and management. Musckuloskeletal Care.6.155-167
McVeigh J, O’Brien R 2010) Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy intervention for Fibromyalgia in Rheumatology: Evidence-based Practice for Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
Joan Healey

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2539
E-mail j.n.healey@shu.ac.uk
I am the course leader for the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre registration). I have worked at Sheffield Hallam University for 10 years. During this time I have had experience of organising and supporting placement learning in the occupational therapy course and I have developed voluntary sector placements for the MSc pre registration programme.
My clinical area of expertise is in working with older people both in mental health and physical settings. In the course I have a particular interest in reflective practice, creative writing and personal and professional development process.
Research interest and activity
I am currently undertaking EdD.
2007/8 lead for creative accounts of care - a user involvement project using a creative writing group in a residential care home to explore residents' experiences of care.
Publications
Healey J; Spencer, M (2008) Surviving practice placements in health and social care: a student guide. Open University Press
Healey J ( 2008) Anti-social care. Occupational deprivation and older people in residential care. Chapter in ' Affirming our value base in Social work and social care. An active learning handbook'. eds Wild J., Barnard A, Horner, N. Open University Press
Brown-Wilson C, Tetley J, Healey, J (2011) The best care is like sunshine: accessing older people’s experiences of living in care homes through creative writing. Activities, Adaptation & Aging
Dr Kate Heward

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5864
E-mail k.heward@shu.ac.uk
I have worked as a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University since January 2006. My specialist area of teaching, research and clinical practice is neurological rehabilitation. Before starting this post I had spent many years working as a clinician in the NHS, the most recent post being a clinical specialist occupational therapist at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
I have represented occupational therapy in the re-write of the Royal college of Physicians Guidelines on the use of bottulinum toxin for adults with acquired spasticity. I also continue to carry out some private clinical practice for a specialist brain injury rehabilitation team and through my own business called Rehabilitate.
Summary of research activity
My PhD, was entitled 'The Occupational Impact of Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative study of Partners and a family'. I have published work from my thesis and have also presented at both national and international conferences.
Ross, D, Heward, K, Bhakta, B, Chamberlain, M, Salawu, Y. (2008) Upfront and Enabling: Audit of a Specialist Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Team. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Feb.
Royal College of Physicians, British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Association of Chartered Physiotherapists interested in Neurology. Spasticity in Adults: Management using botulinum toxin. National Guidelines. London RCP, 2009 (OT advisor and co author)
Heward, K., Gough, B., Molineux, M. (2010) A change of Identity, caring for an individual with multiple sclerosis. Accepted Journal of Social care and Neurodisability
Colette Fegan

Principal lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2581
E-mail c.m.fegan@shu.ac.uk
I joined the occupational therapy team in 2001. My previous clinical experience has been in the area of mental health. I have worked with adults with severe and enduring mental health problems and have facilitated a number of therapeutic groups.
I teach on the the MSc Vocational Rehabilitation and I am also the CPD link for occupational therapy. I have a spilt role and I am the academic delivery manager for health courses (postgraduate and CPD).
Since working at the University I have had a short secondment with the Centre for Interprofessional eLearning to develop learning objects for distance learning. I am also research and development representative and committee member for the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section Work.
Summary of research activity
I completed an MSc in Psychosocial Interventions in 2001 and I am currently working towards a PhD with a focus on the experiences of mental health service users who volunteer and the impact it has on their recovery.
Business development and consultancy
In 2010 I have project managed the development of a self assessment tool to support workforce skills development around behaviour change.
Publications
World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Sydney, Australia 2006
• poster presentation: Action Learning: Facilitating real change for part-time occupational therapy students
• poster presentation: An investigation into the experiences of service users and staff who have been involved in a volunteering project.
Petra Klompenhouwer

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5650
E-mail p.klompenhouwer@shu.ac.uk
Currently I am course leader for the full-time BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy. I have worked at Sheffield Hallam since September 2003. Prior to this, I have worked in several places within the NHS, as a rheumatology specialist in the community, in orthopaedics, hand therapy and rheumatology. Prior to my arrival in the UK in 1999 I completed a Masters in Occupational Therapy in the USA.
In the Netherlands I have worked in rheumatology, hand therapy, orthopaedics, equipment provision and a special needs school.
My clinical interests are in the musculoskeletal area with rheumatology as a particular interest. I am specifically interested in how people adaptation to living with a chronic condition. Furthermore I have an interest in how the occupational therapy profession is developing world wide.
I am a member of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section on Rheumatology and the British Health Professionals in Rheumatology.
I also belong to the College of Occupational Therapists, the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Dutch Occupational Therapy Association as well as the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
I review articles for the Journal of Hand Therapy and the journal of the Dutch Occupational Therapy association.
Summary of research interests
My masters was based on finding further reliability evidence for the joint protection behaviour assessment.
Sally Bramley
Consultant occupational therapist
Phone 0114 2718122
E-mail sally.bramley@shsc.nhs.uk
I am an occupational therapist with over 20 years experience of working in the mental health field. I have worked in York, Lancashire and Sheffield and lectured in occupational therapy at Salford and Sheffield Hallam University. I have been involved most recently in the development and delivery of the vocational rehabilitation programmes. My own masters is in psychiatry, philosophy and society from The University of Sheffield.
I currently work for Sheffield Care Trust and Sheffield Hallam University as a consultant occupational therapist for mental health and vocational rehabilitation. I believe in challenging and removing the barriers which exist between service users and service providers and combining the skills and expertise of service users and professionals.
I am a member of the College of Occupational Therapy specialist interest section on work and the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA).
Julie Coleman

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5657
E-mail j.h.coleman@shu.ac.uk
I joined the team in 2006 and have a background and interest in housing, equipment and adaptations, mental health, and patient experience. I am the assessment officer for the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy.
I have an interest in digital media and am involved in the development of a 3d home environment. I have been involved in the development of digital stories at the university in collaboration with Pilgrim Projects.
Summary of research activity
Principal Investigator: POPPIE project (Activity and Culture) - A qualitative study investigating changes in culture at a sheltered housing complex for older people.
I was a keynote speaker for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy annual conference, 2008 Finding hope: a personal journey.
Publications
J. Coleman (Sept 2008) When the therapist met the evangelists chapter in APolitical Practice of Occupational Therapy eds Pollard, P. Sakellariou, D and Kronenberg, F
Cook, S, Chambers, E. & Coleman J. 2009 Occupational therapy for people with psychotic conditions in community settings: a randomised controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation 23: 40 - 52
Colette Beecher
Senior lecturer
I have been part of the occupational therapy team at Sheffield Hallam since 2006 and work three days a week. I have been an occupational therapist working in neurological and physical rehabilitation for nineteen years both in acute, and community settings.
My specialist interests include brain injury rehabilitation and cognitive rehabilitation. I am mainly involved in teaching on modules which focus on neurological rehabilitation and neuro-anatomy. I am module leader for the masters level module cognitive processing and disability. I am also module leader for the community rehabilitation module.
I have almost completed a MSc in Vocational Rehabilitation which compliments my current clinical workplace. My dissertation aims to explore the need and meaning of work for clients who have sustained a brain injury.
I am currently working in private practice two days a week, for clients who have a physical/learning disability or neurological impairment.
Claire Craig

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 2586
E-mail c.craig@shu.ac.uk
I have worked at Sheffield Hallam University since 2004. I have taught across a range of modules on the undergraduate BSc programme. I am currently undertaking a secondment in learning and teaching which focuses on learner autonomy.
Recently I have been involved in the development and delivery of a European module with three other EU universities called EEE4All funded through Erasmus. The module looks at employment across disadvantaged people and allows students from different countries to collaborate.
My area of clinical interest is working with older people and people with dementia. Prior to coming to the university I worked on a consultancy basis for the Dementia Services Development Centre at Stirling university.
Research interests
I am currently undertaking a PhD in participatory photographic methods of research. In 2004-5 I undertook a secondment focusing on the efficacy of a self management programme called Lifestyle Matters which has been acknowledged in the NICE guidelines.
Examples of publications
Craig C L and Mountain G (2007) Lifestyle Matters: maintaining the health and wellbeing of older people. Speechmark publishers.
Chanter, J and Craig CL (in press) Occupational therapy and physiotherapy approaches to managing pain in Pain: a textbook for therapists.
Craig, CL and Finlay, L (in press) in Molineux (eds) Occupational Therapy and Physical Dysfunction. Elsevier.
Embedding skills in health and social care practice. Sage. May 2009
Photography as a tool for personal and professional development. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. May 2009
Occupational Therapy: New Contexts and Skills for Practice. Elsevier. Planned date for publication. January 2010.
Rachel Ineson

Senior lecturer
Phone 0114-225-5484
E-mail r.ineson@shu.ac.ukI joined the teaching team part-time in late 2008. I am module leader for the undergraduate option modules occupational therapy with children and teach on level four occupational therapy with learning disabilities, as well as supporting lots of other sessions across the department. I am the lead occupational therapy contact for the CPD Anywhere facility, a virtual learning environment for practising therapists, designed to address their development needs.
I continue to work in clinical practice three days per week for a charity, supporting young adults with pmld (profound and multiple learning disabilities). I am passionate about maintaining occupations within occupational therapy, and promoting the creativity and unique skills which occupational therapists contribute to the health and social care arena.
I have completed a Master of Research degree, and my research interests focus on engaging with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and particularly employment opportunities for this group.
Profiles
Margaret Spencer
Senior lecturer
Dr Sarah Cook
Lecturer
Sue Walsh
Senior lecturer
Maureen Coleman
Senior lecturer
Tina Guilford
Senior lecturer
Melanie Bryer
Senior lecturer
Dr Theresa Baxter
Senior lecturer
Nick Pollard
Senior lecturer
Nick Pollard
Senior lecturer
Shirley Masterson
Senior lecturer
Emma Taylor
Senior lecturer
Dr Rachel O'Brien
Senior lecturer
Joan Healey
Senior lecturer
Dr Kate Heward
Senior lecturer
Colette Fegan
Principal lecturer
Petra Klompenhouwer
Senior lecturer
Sally Bramley
Consultant occupational therapist
Julie Coleman
Senior lecturer
Colette Beecher
Senior lecturer
Claire Craig
Senior lecturer
Rachel Ineson
Senior lecturer
Healthcare research
Centre for Health and Social Care Research
We specialise in research that is significant for service users and their carers, and for professionals in the health and social care services. Our staff are also health and social care professionals. They bring together expertise in health sciences and social sciences to conduct applied research.
The centre's research is made up of six themes, each of which is led by a senior researcher. They are
• professional education
• rehabilitation
• older people
• workforce and organisational development
• children and families
• pain
The centre combines these themes to make best use of our interdisciplinary potential. There is a lively postgraduate culture with a mix of full-time and part-time students working towards their MPhil or PhD. You can also study for a professional doctorate.
Centre for Professional and Organisation Development
Playing an active part in the modernisation of health and social care, the centre supports the development of managers of health and social services at all levels with accredited development programmes, short courses, consultancy projects, research and evaluation.
We specialise in research that is significant for service users and their carers, and for professionals in the health and social care services. Our staff are also health and social care professionals. They bring together expertise in health sciences and social sciences to conduct applied research.The centre's research is made up of six themes, each of which is led by a senior researcher. They are• professional education • rehabilitation • older people • workforce and organisational development • children and families • pain
The centre combines these themes to make best use of our interdisciplinary potential. There is a lively postgraduate culture with a mix of full-time and part-time students working towards their MPhil or PhD. You can also study for a professional doctorate.
Playing an active part in the modernisation of health and social care, the centre supports the development of managers of health and social services at all levels with accredited development programmes, short courses, consultancy projects, research and evaluation.
Together in the real world of health and social care
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. So, depending on your course you could spend time working alongside

• nurses
• midwives
• operating department practitioners
This gives you a fresh perspective on situations. And it also prepares you for the real world. Collaboration between health professionals is increasing as organisations try to provide a more integrated and effective service. At Sheffield Hallam we understand that by working together we can we give the best possible care.
Claire Craig receives the highest honour from the College of Occupational Therapists

Claire Craig, fellow of the College of Occupational Therapists
A Sheffield Hallam researcher and lecturer in occupational therapy has completed a rare double by achieving the highest honour awarded by her professional body.
Claire Craig has become one of only 86 people to become a fellow of the College of Occupational Therapists, the highest honour the organisation can give.
It follows Claire becoming a National Teaching Fellow in last year's National Teaching Fellowship Scheme awards, and success in the University's own Inspirational Teaching Awards in which she was nominated by students for her approach to learning.
Claire is actually the second Sheffield Hallam lecturer to receive the fellowship, following Dr Sarah Cook, a fellow reader in occupational therapy, in 2010.
Claire, originally from Royston, Barnsley and now living in Hoylandswaine, said: "This really is an exceptional honour for me and it is great to be recognised by my peers. It also shows the strength of the occupational therapy provision at Sheffield Hallam as I am the second person to receive the fellowship, and there are only 86 in total across the UK."
Naomi Hankinson, Chairman of Council, British Association and College of Occupational Therapists said “It gives us great pleasure to award this Fellowship to Claire in recognition of her outstanding work.
"Claire is a talented and inspirational educator who generates and implements innovative ideas in education and practice.
"Much of her work centres on the important role that occupational therapy plays in the well-being of older people and people with dementia. She is a wonderful ambassador for the profession both here and abroad.”
Last year, Claire was one of just 55 winning lecturers and learning staff chosen from hundreds of teaching fellow nominations made by Higher Education Institutions across England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The awards scheme, run by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), recognises and rewards excellent learning and teaching.
Claire is a researcher in Lab4living within the Art and Design Research Centre as well as teaching in Health and Wellbeing. The focus of her research and teaching is around active ageing and people with dementia.
This led to previous external recognition in 2010, when she received two awards from her professional body.

