Fiona Fraser

Biography

Academic Lead for Occupational Therapy

Programme Lead for the MOccTh (Hons) Occupational Therapy Programme

Lecturer in Occupational Therapy

Qualifications

I graduated from Cardiff University having focused my undergraduate research on whether problem-based learning prepares us for clinical practice. I went on to work within a number of different mental health settings.

I took up a post working for our professional body in London, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, in 2005. My role was focused on occupational therapy students and how they could be supported by their professional body during their student journey. I was fortunate to visit students all over the UK to give a wide range of presentations and lectures on various different topics related to the occupational therapy profession. I completed my MSc in Advanced Occupational Therapy in 2012 having focused my research on how occupational therapy students view clinical leadership.

I am passionate about occupational therapy education and ensuring we equip students with the skills, knowledge and attributes that will enable them and the profession to flourish. Since joining the occupational therapy team at the University of Plymouth I have completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice.

My teaching responsibilities include modules focused on leadership, management, the transition from student to clinical practice, innovation and entrepreneurship. I was practice placement lead for the pre-registration MSc and BSc programmes for 6 years and continue to enjoy the opportunity to develop networks with occupational therapy colleagues throughout the South West and supporting students through this element of their studies. I continue to be involved in teaching associated with placement preparation and providing practice educator training.

I took the lead in developing the MOccTh (Hons), the first occupational therapy integrated masters programme in England, which was successfully approved and launched in 2020. In 2023, I become the Academic lead for Occupational Therapy.

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy - Cardiff University

MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy - University of Salford

Certificate in Marketing - Institute of Marketing

Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice - Plymouth University

Professional membership

Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists

Member of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Roles on external bodies

Accreditor for Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Co-opted member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists South West Regional Committee

Teaching

Teaching interests

Module Leadership;

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy:

OCT530: Occupational Studies: The Older Person; Interruptions and Transitions

OCT601: The Innovative Practitioner

MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)

OCTP714: Contemporary Leadership

Teaching Team Member;

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

OCT 406: Occupational Studies: Biological and Psychological Foundations for Occupation

OCT 410: Practice Placement 1

OCT 531: Practice Placement 2

OCT 409: Occupational Studies: Humans as Occupational Beings Through Community Engagement

OCT 532: Occupational Studies: Exploration into Practice

OCT 606: Occupational Studies: The Contemporary Practitioner

OCT 607: Practice Placement 3

Advanced Professional Practice MSc

ADV766: Innovation in an ever-changing marketplace

ADV764: Contemporary Leadership

Research

Research interests

My research interests including; technology, innovation, leadership, and occupational therapy education.

I have supervised a range of BSc and MSc student projects exploring a wide range of topics including;

What makes occupations restorative for 35-50 year olds?

What makes occupations restorative for adults between the ages of 50 – 65?

What influences a quality practice placement?

What influenced occupational therapy student’s decision to join the profession?

What factors contribute to students feeling valued on health profession practice placements?

A comparison of traditional and non-traditional placements from a student perspective.

A scoping review exploring the barriers and facilitators of dementia friendly communities.

Other research

Supervisor of occupational therapy students as Digital Champions introducing Echospot into local care homes (Summer 2019)

Grants & contracts

EchoSpot In care Homes: Research project with Professor Ray Jones, nursing and occupational therapy students. Digital Champions (March 2019, £19,900)

Publications

Journals

Edwards, K.E., Jones, R.B., Shenton, D., Page, T., Maramba, I., Warren, A., Fraser, F., Krizaj, T., Coombe, T., Cowls, H., Chatterjee, A. (2021) ‚The Use of Smart Speakers in Care Home Residents: Implementation Study‘, Journal of Medical Internet Research. Vol 23(12):e26767 doi:10.2196/26767

Chapters

Book Chapter in: Westcott L., Clouston TJ., Whitcombe SW (2018) 978-1-910451-08-3. 1st Cumbria, UK M&K

Book Chapter in: Kantartzis, S., Pollard, N., van Bruggen H (2021) And a seed was planted, occupation-based approaches for social inclusion, Chapter 2 12-24, Whiting and Birch, London

Book Chapter in: Maclean, F., Warren A., Hunter E., Westcott L (2022) Occupational Therapy and Dementia, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London (In Press)

Presentations and posters

Fraser, F (2016) Embedding clinical leadership into the curriculum, Congress for Council of Occupational Therapists for European Countries and the European Network of Occupational Therapists in Higher Education, Univesity of Ireland, Galway

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

European Network of Occupational Therapists in Higher Education (ENOTHE): Blended Learning: Integrating virtual and face to face teaching in the occupational therapy programmes at the University of Plymouth - May 2021

Other academic activities

Abstract Reviewing -

College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference and Exhibition, 2012

Royal College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, 2021

Royal College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, 2022

Abstract Reviewing -

World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress, 2014

World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress, 2021 (Postponed 2022)

Additional information

Health Education England Advanced Clinical Practitioner Portfolio Route Mentor

Links

Twitter

@fionajfraser

Profiles

Lecturer in Occupational Therapy (Education)

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)