Linda is a Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University. Prior to joining Monash she worked clinically with people with disability and ran her own private practice working with people with spinal cord injury.

Research interests

Linda's research focuses on improving the community, social and economic participation outcomes of people living with spinal cord injury. She is passionate about consumer engagement in research, and disseminating research findings to consumers and users of research in accessible formats. Her publications are highly cited (Barclay et al 2015), and have won awards (Spinal Research Institute - Why-Research-Matters, Spinal Cord - Reader’s Choice). She works closely with community organisations and is a member of the International Spinal Cord  Society Engagement and Peer Support Special Interest Group.  In addition to her role at Monash, Linda is Research and Knowledge Translation Lead at the Spinal Research Institute.

Other research interests include maximising the inclusion of students with disability in education, the role of assistive technology in facilitating community participation for people with disability, and consumer engagement in research. She is a member of and MNHS Faculty representative for the Monash Assistive Technology and Society (MATS) Centre. Her work utilises participatory and qualitative methods.

Supervision

Linda supervises PhD, MPhil and honours students. Current projects include:

• Practice placement supervision of Occupational Therapy students
• Skills for Independence’ course for people with a spinal cord injury: Exploring most significant change
• Employers’ perceptions of supporting an employee returning to work following a stroke.

Teaching commitments

Linda has been involved in developing curriculum and has taught extensively in both the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons) course (AQF8) and Masters by Practice degrees in Occupational Therapy (AQF9). Linda is Unit Coordinator and Chief Examiner for:

OCC4030 - Occupational performance, capabilities and components (12 credit points)

OCC5080 – Advanced Professional Practice (12 credit points)

She was Course Coordinator of the Masters of Occupational Therapy Practice Course from 2019 - 2022.