I came to research, as many do, because of my clinical experiences working together with children, their families and educators to support children’s meaningful engagement in their early learning environment. Somewhere along that path, I realised that my clinical impact could take various forms -directly with one individual, or more broadly by influencing systems change so that more children (whether they had access to specialist services or not) were supported to experience overall health and wellbeing in their early years.  My PhD study investigated the experiences of education professionals as they supported children in school who were adversely impacted by their socio-economic background.  I now focus one area of my research more broadly on reducing the impact of social determinants of health on education, health and wellbeing.  Specifically, current projects focus on: inclusion for all priority populations, trauma informed care/systems, cultural responsivity, and therapeutic ways of working. My second area of research focuses on occupational therapy undergraduate education and scope of practice. My research interests align with my values of self-determination, autonomy, trust, equity and occupational justice.

Grants

UniSC Connect Grant (2023-2024) – Collaboration between University of the Sunshine Coast and Professor Fiona Graham, Otago University – Occupational performance coaching: An evidence based intervention for priority populations. $9,600

The Common Good Grant (2024-2026) – Co-Chief Investigator with L. Chilman (UniSC), T. Frakking (CKW), T. Grant (CKW). Collaboration between University of the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture Hospital – Unlocking precision healthcare: Tailoring feeding disorder management for culturally diverse children to sustain improvements in health outcomes. $37,709

Academic Collaborations

Collaboration with University of Tasmania, Federation University, Curtin University  - Investigation into the impact of TBRI® intervention and professional development support for early childhood educators in Tasmania

Collaboration between Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland Office of Advance Care Planning and the University of the Sunshine Coast – Advance care planning for health professionals (ACPEd) research project.

Awards

2023 University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Health, Service Excellence Award – Cultivating an inclusive, future-focused workplace. Awarded by the Dean, School of Health.

Event Organisation

Conversations: Use of relational approaches in occupational therapy practice. Presenters: A/Prof Fiona Graham (Otago University) and Dr Jacqui Barfoot (University of Queensland).  Online and Face to Face. University of the Sunshine Coast. May 14, 2024.

Occupational Performance Coaching – State of the Evidence. Presenter: A/Prof Fiona Graham. Online and Face to Face. Innovation Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast. May 3, 2024.

I currently supervise both PhD and Masters candidates. I welcome oppportunities to discuss potential projects with any students interested in exploring either of these pathways. My experience includes: systematic reviews, qualitative design (including phenomenology), yarning methodology, and working within interdisciplinary teams on topics related to:

• Inclusion,
• Trauma informed care,
• Developmental health,
• Systems change
• Policy review,
• Culturally responsive practice,
• Undergraduate occupational therapy programs,
• Occupational therapist scope of practice/ models of working
• Imaginary play.