About

I have worked for the University of Derby since 2016 and am a Senior Lecturer teaching on the Occupational Therapy programmes.  I also have lead responsibility for placements within the BSc and MSc Occupational Therapy pre-registration programmes.  

As a Derby OT graduate myself, I am passionate about Occupational Therapy and the University of Derby and enjoy the opportunity to be a part of the Derby OT community teaching and developing future occupational therapists.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach on a range of modules within the BSc Occupational Therapy and MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-reg) programmes across all years of the programmes.  I particularly enjoy seeing the development of students from when they first start, as I teach modules at this stage, to how they grow in confidence and knowledge in the later stages of the programme.

Professional interests

Mental health, specifically psychosis

Recovery models and approaches

Use of technology within education and practice

Homelessness

Research interests

My main research interests are around homelessness.  I began doctoral studies exploring recovery from homelessness using an occupational lens in Sept 2024. 

Membership of professional bodies

• Member of BAOT/RCOT
• Member of UCU

Qualifications

• BSc Occcupational Therapy
• MSc Health and Social Care (Recovery and Inclusion Pathway)

Recent conferences

During my time working for the university I have presented at internal conferences regarding outdoor teaching and understanding belonging within university both of which have been sessions co-created and delivered with students. 

I have also presented at the national RCOT conferences on the following topics: occupational recovery from psychosis, video creation for assessment, running a podcast club for CPD and supporting the development of student confidence in role emerging placements.

Experience in industry

Prior to working at the university, I have 19 years of experience of working in the NHS, mostly within mental health contexts. In addition to my role at the university in recent years I have also worked within homelessness services in a charity context which has inspired my research interests and current studies.

Recent publications

Hawley, R. and Allen, C., 2018. Student-generated video creation for assessment: can it transform assessment within Higher Education? International Journal for Transformative Research, 5(1), pp.1-11.