Dr Karen Beaulieu

I am the Associate Head of School Internationalisation, the Programme Leader for the MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Occupational Therapy and a Lecturer within the Occupational Therapy Team. I teach and assess on the BSc Occupational Therapy, the MSc Occupational Therapy pre-registration, and the MSc Advanced Professional Practice programmes. I have specific responsibility for MSc post registration modules related to Neuroscience. I also supervise PhD, MSc and BSc research. I have been a University Senate member since 2018. 

Qualifications

2018   PG Certificate in PhD supervision  

2016   Leadership 

2016   PhD: The lived experience of return to paid work following a brain injury, University of Northampton

2013   Re-accreditation of Practice Placement Educators Scheme, COT

2008   Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education, University of Northampton

2001   MSc Occupational Therapy, Exeter University

1993   Trust Management and Leadership Training, Royal United Trust, Bath

1987   Foundation Management Training, Frenchay Health Authority, Bristol

1984   Diploma from the College of Occupational Therapists, Glasgow

Professional membership

From 1984     Health and Care Professions Council

From 1984     Royal College of Occupational Therapists  

Roles on external bodies

• 2018-2022    BSc (full time programme) External Examiner, Ulster University 
• 2013 to 2016 MSc (full time pre-registration) External Examiner, University of East Anglia             
• 2011-2015    BSc (full time programme) External Examiner, Glasgow Caledonian University
• 2007-2011    BSc (part time programme) External Examiner, Cardiff & Wrexham Universities

Teaching interests

I enjoy teaching across all of our occupational therapy programmes, however my main teaching commitments are within the MSc Advanced Professional Practice Programmes and modules, especially those related to Neuroscience. 

My teaching interests include

·        Brain Injury

·        Return to work following acquired or traumatic brain injury

·        Neurology

·        Qualitative methodologies

·        Internationalisation of curricula, teaching and learning 

·        Vocational rehabilitation

Staff serving as external examiners

BSc (full time programme) External Examiner, Ulster University

Other research

Beaulieu , K. (2017) An exploration of factors that impact the return to paid work of individuals following brain injury. Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Irwin Mitchell Research Award 2011, Neurological Practice [online] Available from https://www.rcot.co.uk/sites/default/files/UKOTRF-Key-findings-Np-KBeaulieu-2011.pdf[28 June 2017].

Campbell, J., Beaulieu, K., Khatri, R., Pyer, M. (2012) Acquired Brain Injury Community Service Development Pilot-Service Evaluation. NHS Commissioned Research Project Report. Northamptonshire: Northamptonshire Healthcare.

Grants & contracts

2016   1st prize winner, 11th PhD Research Poster Competition, University of Northampton      

2011   UK Occupational Therapy Research Foundation, Irwin Mitchell Research Award Winner (2011-13) 

2002   Research Prize, St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals

Articles

Beaulieu K (2019) 'Lived experiences of return to paid work following a brain injury' British Journal of Occupational Therapy , DOI Open access

Singlehurst H, Corr S, Griffiths S & Beaulieu K (2007) 'The Impact of Binge Eating Disorder on Occupation: A Pilot Study' British Journal of Occupational Therapy 70, (11) 493-501 , DOI

Beaulieu K (2007) 'Occupational Therapists' Perceptions and Management of Aggression Related to Adults with a Brain Injury' British Journal of Occupational Therapy 70, (4) 161-170 , DOI

Haslam T-M & Beaulieu K (2007) 'A comparison of the evidence of two interventions for self-care with stroke patients' International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 14, (3) 118-128 , DOI

Corr S, Beaulieu K & Griffiths S (2006) 'Research governance, not research ‘smotherance’' International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 13, (2) 56-56 , DOI

Conference Papers

Beaulieu K (2017) 'Application of a conceptual framework to facilitate return to paid work following a brain injury' 66-66

Woolley H & Beaulieu K (2017) 'Experiences of sleep as an occupation for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities' 103-104

Beaulieu K, Wetherell H, Simons S, Harries K, McNamara A & Bryant H (2017) 'Partnership working to improve advocacy services for individuals with long-term conditions' 3-4

Beaulieu K (2016) 'A new conceptual framework to facilitate return to paid work following a brain injury' 24-24

Beaulieu K (2016) 'A new conceptual framework to facilitate return to paid work following a brain injury' 752-753

Beaulieu K (2013) 'Return to work following a brain injury: the lived experience' 52-53

Beaulieu K (2012) 'The return to paid work of individuals following a brain injury' 116-116

Beaulieu K & Khatri R (2012) 'Why do an MSc?' 11-11

Beaulieu K (2012) 'The return to paid work of individuals following a brain injury' 359-360

Reports

Research reports

Beaulieu, K. (2017) An exploration of factors that impact the return to paid work of individuals following brain injury. Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Irwin Mitchell Research Award 2011, Neurological Practice [online] Available from https://www.rcot.co.uk/sites/default/files/UKOTRF-Key-findings-Np-KBeaulieu-2011.pdf [Accessed 14 August 2019].

Campbell, J., Beaulieu, K., Khatri, R., Pyer, M. (2012) Acquired Brain Injury Community Service Development Pilot-Service Evaluation. NHS Commissioned Research Project Report. Northamptonshire: Northamptonshire Healthcare.

Acknowledged Publication Contribution

Royal College of Occupational Therapists (2013) Acquired brain injury: a guide for occupational therapists. London: Specialist Section Neurological Practice, p.78.

Reports & invited lectures

Beaulieu, K. Lived experiences of return to paid work following a brain injury. (Invited paper presentation). The OT show, Birmingham, UK, 28 November 2019.

Beaulieu K. The lived experience of return to paid work following a brain injury. (Invited paper presentation).Rehabilitation – Can it be Achieved in the Community?, Hilton Hotel, Birmingham, 19 November 2015.

Beaulieu K. Returning to paid work - the lived experience of brain injured individuals and employers. (Invited paper presentation). Rehabilitation After the Major Trauma Centre Conference, Greater Manchester, UK, May 2015.

Beaulieu K, Turner A., Dickenson, F. What factors influence the entry and retention of UK and international allied health professionals onto Masters’ level professional programmes? (Invited paper presentation). Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists Centenary Conference, Glasgow SSEC, October 2012.

Other academic activities

Conference Presentations

Beaulieu , K. Application of a conceptual framework to facilitate return to paid work following a brain injury. (Paper presentation).Royal College of Occupational Therapists 41st Annual Conference, Birmingham,UK, June 19-20, 2017.

Wooley, H, Beaulieu, K. Experiences of sleep as an occupation forparents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. (Posterpresentation-awarded Highly Commended). Royal College of OccupationalTherapists 41st Annual Conference, Birmingham, UK, June 19-20, 2017.

Beaulieu , K, Sara Simons, Hilary Wetherell, Kay Harries, Ali McNamara , Helena Bryant. Can partnership working improve advocacy services for individuals with long term conditions in practice? (Facilitated Poster presentation). Royal College of Occupational Therapists 41st Annual Conference,Birmingham, UK, June 19-20, 2017.

Beaulieu K. A new conceptual framework to facilitate return to paid work following a brain injury. (Paper presentation). College of Occupational Therapists 40th Annual Conference, Harrogate, UK, June 28-30,2016.

Beaulieu K. A new conceptual framework to facilitate return to paid work following a brain injury. (Poster presentation). 11th World Congress on Brain Injury, The Hague, Netherlands, March 2-5, 2016.

Beaulieu K. Return to paid work following a brain injury; the lived experience. Health and Well being through Occupation 3rd International Occupational Science Europe Conference, Bournemouth University, UK, 3-4 September 2015.

Beaulieu K. The return to paid work of individuals following a brain injury (Paper presentation). World Federation of Occupational Therapists 16th Congress, Yokohama, Japan, June 2014.

Beaulieu K. The return to paid work of individuals following a brain injury (Paper presentation). Annual PGR conference, University of Northampton, July 2013.

Beaulieu K. The return to paid work of individuals following a brain injury-phase 2. (Paper presentation). College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Glasgow, UK, June 2013.

Beaulieu K. Return to work after a brain injury-the lived experience (PhD-phase one) (Paper presentation). Irwin Mitchell Brain Injury Conference, University of Northampton, May 2013.

Beaulieu K. The return to paid work of individuals following a brain injury. (Paper presentation). College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Glasgow, UK, June 2012.

Beaulieu K., Khatri R. Why do an MSc? (Conference workshop).College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Glasgow, UK, June 2012.

Beaulieu K. The return to paid work of individuals following a brain injury. (Poster presentation). The International Bran Injury Association’s 9th World Congress on Brain Injury, Edinburgh, UK, March 2012.

Beaulieu K. MSc student recruitment and retention (Paper presentation). College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Brighton, UK,June 2011.

Beaulieu K. Internationalisation of an MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy Award (Paper presentation). Learning and Teaching Annual Conference, the University of Northampton, UK, May 2011.

Beaulieu K, Turner A, Dickenson F. MSc student recruitment and retention (Paper presentation). Learning and Teaching Annual Conference, the University of Northampton, UK, May 2010.

Beaulieu K. Internationalisation of an MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy Award (Poster presentation). World Federation of Occupational Therapists 15th Congress, Chile, May 2010.

Beaulieu K, Turner A. Developing a bespoke skill faced postgraduate module for local occupational therapy practitioners (Poster presentation). World Federation of Occupational Therapists 15th Congress,Chile, May 2010.

Boulter L, Beaulieu K. Can professionals ease the burden faced by carers of cancer sufferers? (Paper presentation). College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Brighton, UK, June 2009.

Beaulieu K. Creating a transitional Masters module for therapists (Paper presentation). Learning and Teaching Annual Conference, the University of Northampton, UK, May 2009.

Beaulieu K. Exploring occupational therapy students’ use of assessment feedback (Paper presentation). College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Harrogate, UK, June 2008.

Beaulieu K. Exploring occupational therapy students’ use of assessment feedback (Paper presentation). Learning and Teaching Annual Conference, the University of Northampton, UK, May 2008.

Beaulieu K, Griffiths S. User’s perspectives of attending a creative activity group within a mental health setting. (Paper presentation).The 5th Occupation UK and Ireland Symposium, University of Northampton, UK,Sept, 2006.

Corr S, Beaulieu K, Griffiths S. Research governance, not research smotherance. (Seminar) College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference,Eastbourne, UK, 22nd-24th June 2005.

Beaulieu K. Exploring occupational therapists perceptions and management of aggression with individuals post brain injury (Paper presentation). College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Brighton, UK,June 2002.

Beaulieu K. Exploring occupational therapistsperceptions and management of aggression with individuals post brain injury(Paper presentation) Occupational Therapy World International Congress, inStockholm, Sweden, May 2002.

Additional information

Additional academic activities

2018 BSc & MSc OT & MSc Rehab External Validation panel member, Oxford Brookes University

Acknowledged Publication Contribution

College of Occupational Therapists (2013) Acquired brain injury: a guide for occupational therapists. London:Specialist Section Neurological Practice, p78.  

Peer Reviewer  

From 2016      The RCOT Annual Conference Scientific Programme

From 2015      UKOT Research Foundation, Project Proposal Reviewer

From 2007    British Journal of Occupational Therapy