Dr Alison Warren
Profiles

Dr Alison Warren

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)

Dr Alison Warren can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Dementia
  • Occupational therapy
  • Air travel
  • Practice placement models
Biography

Biography

I am Research Lead for Occupational Therapy with the University of Plymouth. Throughout my career I have integrated professional practice experience with service development and research. I have an interest in innovative placement models and my PhD explored the learning experiences of occupational therapy students during role emerging placements with a particular focus on competency and professional identity development. My professional practice experience has been mainly in the area of dementia care, community mental health and emerging areas of practice. As a member of the Prime Minister Dementia Working Group for Air Transport I seek to raise the importance of this meaningful occupation and improve the experiences flying for people with dementia and their carers. I have experience of working in the UK, Romania and the Republic of Ireland. Alison was a co-investigator with E-Health Productivity & Innovation in Cornwall (EPIC2) and Co applicant for Economic and Social Research Council Generating Older Active Lives Digitally (GOALD) with a keen interest in the use of technology in healthcare. 

Qualifications

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences

University of Limerick, Ireland (2014)

Innovation, Personal Growth and Professional Identity: Perspectives on role emerging placements in occupational therapy

Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education

Brunel University, London (2005)

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy 

University of Wales, Cardiff (1999)

Diploma in Occupational Therapy

Dorset House, Oxford (1990)

Education Experience

Academic Lead for Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth (2017- March 2023)

Pathway Lead for Masters in Advanced Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy (2016-2018)

  • School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth
    Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
    (December 2014 to Present)
  • Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Ireland
    Regional Placement Facilitator
    (December 2006 to October 2014)
  • Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Ireland
    Acting Practice Education Coordinator
    (October 2011- January 2012)
  • Department of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, UK
    Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
    (January 2002-January 2005)
  • Department of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, UK and Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Care NHS Trust
    Lecturer/Practitioner in Occupational Therapy
    (April 2001-January 2002)

International Teaching

Ergotherapeu-og Fysiotherapeutskolen I, Denmark (2002), Karalinska Institute, Sweden (2003), University of Limerick, Ireland (2003 & 4), University of Malta 2019-2022

Clinical Experience

Throughout my career I have worked as a clinician and manager in a range of clinical settings. Primarily I have worked with people who have dementia and their carers and also in mental health and learning disabilities services.

Professional membership

  • Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)
  • Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Roles on external bodies

Accreditor for Royal College of Occupational Therapists 

External Examiner

Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I enjoy facilitating learning in a broad range of subjects, particularly in the area of dementia care, research and innovative placement models including role emerging placements. I am an advocate of interprofessional learning and encourage entrepreneurial practice in emerging areas for occupational therapy. I am also interested in integrating digital health into occupational therapy programmes.

I have developed several distance learning and blended learning modules at pre and post graduate levels. 


Staff serving as external examiners

Previous External Examiner On BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme at University of Cumbria 2016 - 2019.

Current External Examiner on BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme Glyndŵr University, Wrexham, Wales - 2020 onwards.

Research

Research

Research interests

My research interests are linked closely to my clinical and educational experiences. I lead a growing research team of occupational therapists, including Kate Turner and students seeking to improve the travel experiences of people with dementia, hidden disabilities and their companions - Dementia Friendly Flying. 


Informed by my doctoral work I also supervise occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals with research interests related to placements and particularly innovative placement models. 

I am also involved with EPIC2 which seeks to grow eHealth businesses and improve health, wellbeing and enhance the care quality by using eHealth technology.


I am a co-applicant on Generating Older Active Lives Digitally (GOALD)


Read more below regarding the community collaboration and successful bid for the 2022 Get Involved Award: Blooming Well – Designing a community-based horticulture therapy group for clients with a cancer that promotes recovery and well-being.
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/get-involved-awards#:~:text=Research%20together%20for%20sustainable%20solutions,solve%20local%20problems%20through%20research




I have supervised three PhD to completion and currently have 6 PhD students. I have extensive experience of supervising masters level research.

Other research

Member of the Prime Ministers Dementia Challenge Group for Air Transport- Chair of the In-flight Training Group, Director of Studies for PhD studentship on Dementia Friendly Flying and supervisor of 3 Alzheimer’s Society Summer Studentships (2017 and 2019)  

Community Occupational Therapy for People with Dementia- Supervisor for the COTiD RCT (2016-17)

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

Grants & contracts

Blooming Well: Get Involved Project with Anne Charles, Mustard Tree. (June 2022, £7445)

Co applicant for Economic and Social Research Council Generating Older Active Lives Digitally (GOALD) (2021, £1.6M)

PhD Studentship Funding- Brandon Trust ( 2021, £75000)

Co applicant for European Regional Development Fund E-Health Productivity & Innovation in Cornwall (EPIC2) (2020, £4.1M)

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

Alzheimer’s Society Research Studentships: 3 summer bursaries, occupational therapy students) (2017 and 2019, £6300)

School of Health Professions PhD Stipend: Dementia Friendly Flying (Kate Turner- commenced April 2017)

Health Research Board (HRB) PhD Fellow, Ireland (2012-13)

National Academy for the Integration of research, Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL) Grant, Ireland (2009 and 2010)

Quality Improvement Fund (QIFAC) Developing guidelines to support students and stakeholders in role emerging placements. University of Limerick (2010/11)

Constance Owens Travel Award (2003)

NHS Research Grant. Home-based Art Therapy for Older Adults with Mental Health Needs (2002)


Publications

Publications

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals

Recent Papers

Morris B, Warren A, Bradwell H, Noonan M. ‘Barriers and facilitators to the adoption and use of assistive technology for adults with an intellectual disability who live in supported accommodation: a mixed methods systematic review protocol’ JBI Evidence Synthesis Publish Ahead of Print 14 Apr 2023 DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-22-00313

Parker, Lana; Boland, Leonie; and Warren, Alison (2020) "“She’s Me”: An Exploration of Pet Ownership from the Perspective of People Who Are Homeless," People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice: Vol. 3 : Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol3/iss1/1

 

Articles
Morris B, Warren A, Bradwell H & Noonan M (2023) 'Barriers and facilitators to the adoption and use of assistive technology for adults with an intellectual disability who live in supported accommodation: a mixed methods systematic review protocol' JBI Evidence Synthesis Publish Ahead of Print, , DOI
Colloby S, Whiting S & Warren A (2022) 'Supporting the couple relationship following dementia diagnosis: A scoping review' Health and Social Care in the Community , DOI Open access
Edwards KJ, Jones RB, Shenton D, Page T, Maramba I, Warren A, Fraser F, Križaj T, Coombe T & Cowls H (2021) 'The Use of Smart Speakers in Care Home Residents: Implementation Study' Journal of Medical Internet Research 23, (12) , DOI Open access
Cunningham M, Warren A, Pollard N & Abey S (2020) 'Enacting social transformation through occupation: A narrative literature review' Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 1-20 , DOI Open access
Križaj T, Roberts A, Warren A & Slade A (2019) 'Early Hour, Golden Hour: an Exploration of Slovenian Older People’s Meaningful Occupations' Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 34, (2) 201-221 , DOI Open access
Linnane E & Warren AF (2017) 'Apprehension and interest: Therapist and student views of the role emerging placement model in the Republic of Ireland' Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy , DOI Open access
Hocking M, Warren AF & Bannigan K (2017) 'CPD with a twist: the ROTTERS Curry Club' OTnews Open access
Warren AF, Turner K & Chami H (2017) 'Working together to promote dementia friendly flying' OTnews Open access
Križaj T, Warren A & Slade A (2016) '"Holding on to What I Do": Experiences of Older Slovenians Moving into a Care Home' The Gerontologist 58, (3) 512-520 , DOI Open access
Joyce J & Warren A (2016) 'A Case Study Exploring the Influence of a Gardening Therapy Group on Well-Being' Occupational Therapy in Mental Health 32, (2) 203-215 , DOI Open access
Kirk E, Burrows L, Kent B, Abbott R & Warren A (2016) 'Facilitators and barriers to remaining at home for people with dementia who live alone' JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 14, (4) 20-29 , DOI Open access
Warren A, Dancza, K, McKay E, Taylor A, Moran M, Copley J & Rodger S (2016) 'Supervising role-emerging placements: a CPD opportunity that supports innovation in practice' World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin , DOI Open access
Dancza K, Warren A, Copley J, Rodger S, Moran M, McKay E & Taylor A (2013) 'Learning experiences on role-emerging placements: An exploration from the students' perspective' Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 60, (6) 427-435 , DOI
Cahill M, O'Donnell M, Warren A, Taylor A & Gowan O (2013) 'Enhancing interprofessional student practice through a case-based model' Journal of Interprofessional Care 27, (4) 333-335 , DOI
Wiid C, McCormack C, Warren A, Buckley S & Cahill M (2013) 'Public and private blogging during placements: perspectives of occupational therapy students' International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 20, (2) 79-87 , DOI
Warren A, Taylor A, Cahill M & O’Donnell M (2010) 'The MAGPIE model' The Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning 11, (2) 47-59 , DOI
Warren A & Wilson L (2009) 'Role-emerging placements' BRITISH JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 72, (12) 566-566 Author Site
Jones F, Warren A & McElroy S (2006) 'Home-Based Art Therapy for Older Adults with Mental Health Needs: Views of Clients and Caregivers' Art Therapy 23, (2) 52-58 , DOI
Warren A (2003) 'The use of the COPM in mental health' British Journal of Occupational Therapy 66, (2)
Warren A (2002) 'An Evaluation of the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in Mental Health Practice' British Journal of Occupational Therapy 65, (11) 515-521 , DOI
Crawford M, Warren A & Edmans J (2001) 'Dedicated time at work for research activities (multiple letters)' British Journal of Occupational Therapy 64, (8) 419-420
Books

Maclean, F., Warren, A., Hunter, E. and Westcott, L. (2023) Occupational Therapy and Dementia: Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living with Dementia. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers


Maclean F, Warren AF, Warren D, Westcott L & Hunter E (2022) Occupational Therapy and Dementia Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living with Dementia.
Chapters

Walker, K. & Warren, A. (2022) Reflection The Link between Professionalism, Evidence-Based Practice, and Clinical Reasoning. In Atwal, A. Preparing for Professional Practice in Health and Social Care, 2nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons Ltd: Oxford

Roberts C, Goodrick J & Warren A (2022) 'Always Looking for a Solution’' Occupational Therapy and Dementia Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living with Dementia Jessica Kingsley Publishers 41-51
wenborn J & Warren A (2022) 'Challenges and Opportunities in Occupational Therapy Intervention Research’' Occupational Therapy and Dementia Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living with Dementia Jessica Kingsley Publishers 229-241
Fraser F, Page T, Bradwell H, Edwards K & Warren A (2022) 'Digital Health Technology and Occupational Engagement’' Occupational Therapy and Dementia Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living with Dementia Jessica Kingsley Publishers 107-119
Warren A, Turner K, O'Reilly M & Sherriff I (2022) 'Occupational Justice' Occupational Therapy and Dementia Promoting Inclusion, Rights and Opportunities for People Living with Dementia Jessica Kingsley Publishers 93-106
Walker K & Warren A (2022) 'The Link between Professionalism, Evidence-Based Practice, and Clinical Reasoning' Preparing for Professional Practice in Health and Social Care John Wiley & Sons 1-19
Manley M, Bentley R, Richards C, Tattersall K, Warren A, Mackenzie A, Pratt AL, Lillywhite A, Grant M & McIntyre A (2013) 'Health Conditions and Active Ageing' Occupational Therapy and Older People John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 73-119 , DOI
Conference Papers

Warren, A., Turner, K. & O’Reilly, M. (2022) Promoting Dementia Friendly Skies: Air Travel experiences and occupational therapy innovation. 18th WFOT Congress, Paris 28-21 August 2022

Turner, K., Warren, A., & Sherriff, I. (2022) Dementia Friendly Flying: Utilising Cartoons as an innovative means of highlighting barriers to air travel. 18th WFOT Congress, Paris 28-21 August 2022

Cunningham, M., Warren, A., Pollard, N., Abey, S. & Hardwick, R. (2022) A new way of seeing; how can occupational therapists harness arts-based occupations for social transformation? The case of participatory photography. 18th WFOT Congress, Paris 28-21 August 2022

Ritchie, S. & Warren, A. (2022) Promoting participation for young people in child and adolescent mental health services: key roles for occupational therapists. 18th WFOT Congress, Paris 28-21 August 2022

Howard, M., Sherriff, I., Warren, A., Turner, T., O’Reilly, M., La Bey, L., Garcia, L., Mulvey, M., Shouse, D., Zoglin, R. & Cowie, H., (2020) I-D-air travel: international dementia-air travel, 34th Virtual International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International, 10-12 December 2020.

Warren A., Sherriff, I, Turner, K., Bourne, S. Roberts, C., Goodrick, J., Chami, H & Fremantle, J. (2019) Air Travel Connections: creating a hub of collaborators to enhance flight experiences for People with Dementia and their Companions 29th Alzheimer’s Europe Conference, The Hague, October 2019.

 

Turner, K., Warren, A., Sherriff, I & Bannigan, K. (2019) Air travel for people with dementia: working together to identify barriers and facilitators to participation 29th Alzheimer’s Europe Conference, The Hague, October 2019.


Cunningham MJ, Warren A, Krizaj T, Twinley R & Mitchell S (2016) 'DEVELOPING PROBLEM BASED LEARNING IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY' 2016 - COTEC-ENOTHE Congress 6-/-0/20166-/-0/2016Open access
Warren A, Freemantle J, Wilkins A, Chami H, Rabet R & Giles T (2016) 'Aviation and Dementia Innovations and Solutions for the Future' Fifth Plymouth Dementia Conference.
Presentations and posters
Cunningham M, Warren A, pollard N, Abey S & Hardwick R Cunningham M, Warren A, pollard N, Abey S & Hardwick R 'A new way of seeing; how can occupational therapists harness arts-based occupations for social transformation? The case of participatory photography'
Warren A & Turner K Warren A & Turner K 'Promoting Dementia Friendly Skies: Air Travel experiences and occupational therapy innovation'
ritchie S & Warren A ritchie S & Warren A 'Promoting participation for young people in child and adolescent mental health services: key roles for occupational therapists'
Fraser F, Jacobs M, Steede K, Page T & Warren A Fraser F, Jacobs M, Steede K, Page T & Warren A 'Preparing occupational therapy students for the ever-changing digital world' Author Site
Rolfe J, Milward S & Warren A Rolfe J, Milward S & Warren A 'UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH OT HYBRID PEEP' Author Site
Armstrong M, Reid G, Angove J, Rockey C & Warren A Armstrong M, Reid G, Angove J, Rockey C & Warren A 'How do students perceive compassion in healthcare practice?' Author Site
Krizaj T, Warren A & Slade A Krizaj T, Warren A & Slade A 'The significance of Occupation and Others: Experiences of Older Slovenians Transitioning into Care Homes'
Howard M, Sherriff I, Warren A, Turner K, O'Reilly M, La Bey L, Garcia L, Mulvey M, Shouse D & Zoglin R Howard M, Sherriff I, Warren A, Turner K, O'Reilly M, La Bey L, Garcia L, Mulvey M, Shouse D & Zoglin R 'I-D-air travel: international dementia-air travel'
Warren A, Sherriff I, Turner K, Bourne D, Roberts C, Goodrick J, Chami H & Freemantle J Warren A, Sherriff I, Turner K, Bourne D, Roberts C, Goodrick J, Chami H & Freemantle J 'Air Travel Connections: creating a hub of collaborators to enhance flight experiences for People with Dementia and their Companions'
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I 'Dementia friendly flying? Identifying the barriers and facilitators to air travel for people living with dementia'
Cunningham M, Warren A, Abey S, Rebecca H & Pollard N Cunningham M, Warren A, Abey S, Rebecca H & Pollard N 'A new way of seeing; how can occupational therapists harness arts-based occupations for social transformation? The case of participatory photography' Open access
Cunningham M, Warren A, Pollard N & Abey S Cunningham M, Warren A, Pollard N & Abey S 'Exploring social transformation through arts-based projects: A realist approach' Open access
Warren A & Turner K Warren A & Turner K 'Promoting Dementia Friendly Skies: Air Travel experiences and Occupational Therapy innovation' Open access
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I 'Air travel for people with dementia: working together to identify barriers and facilitators to participation'
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I 'Air travel for people living with dementia: An occupational therapy PhD study to identify the barriers and facilitators to participation'
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I 'Creating a ‘Dementia Friendly’ Flying Guide: Learning from lived experience'
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I 'Striving for dementia friendly flying'
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I 'Rising to the Challenge: How can we make air travel more accessible for people living with dementia across Europe and beyond'
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I 'How ‘Dementia Friendly’ is Air Travel? Identifying the barriers and facilitators to flying for people living with Dementia'
Other Publications
Marchant S, Turner K, Warren A & Sherriff I (2021) Flying with Dementia- Informative Guide. London Heathrow Airport Publisher Site
Turner K, Warren A, Bannigan K & Sherriff I (2018) Dementia awareness and support training outside of healthcare: a realist synthesis of what works, for whom, in what circumstances and why?. Online PROSPERO Publisher Site Open access
Personal

Personal

Other academic activities

Warren, A. (2012) International Judge at the National Health Fusion Team Challenge, Brisbane Australia