Dr Alison Warren
Profiles

Dr Alison Warren

Lecturer in Occupational Therapy

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health & Human Sciences)

Role

I am currently the programme lead for the MSc in Advanced Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy and lecturer with Plymouth University. 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.

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

School of Health Professions , Plymouth University

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)


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

Professional membership

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

Teaching interests

Teaching interests
I enjoy facilitating learning in a broad range of subjects, particularly in the area of dementia care, mental health 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. 

Staff serving as external examiners

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

Research interests

My research interests are linked closely to my clinical and educational experiences. I lead a growing research team of occupational therapists and students seeking to improve the travel experiences of people with dementia and their carers- 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. 


Grants & contracts

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)


Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
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 PEARL
Hocking M, Warren AF & Bannigan K 2017 'CPD with a twist: the ROTTERS Curry Club' OTnews PEARL
Warren AF, Turner K & Chami H 2017 'Working together to promote dementia friendly flying' OTnews
Križaj T, Warren A & Slade A 2016 '“Holding on to What I Do”: Experiences of Older Slovenians Moving into a Care Home: Table 1' The Gerontologist gnw150-gnw150 , DOI PEARL
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 PEARL
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
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 PEARL
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
Conference Papers
Cunningham MJ, Warren A, Krizaj T, Twinley R & Mitchell S 2016 'DEVELOPING PROBLEM BASED LEARNING IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY' 2016 - COTEC-ENOTHE Congress 15/06/2016 19/06/2016 PEARL
Krizaj T, Warren A & Slade A 2016 'The significance of Occupation and Others: Experiences of Older Slovenians Transitioning into Care Homes' VOYAGE Ageing Conference Plymouth University 10/06/2016 10/06/2016

Other academic activities

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