Dr Suzanne Dawson

Senior Research Fellow

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

place Bedford Park
GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE, SA, 5001

Suzanne is a Practitioner Fellow in the Caring Futures Institute aligned to the Clinical and Community Partnerships theme.

Suzanne has over 25 years’ experience working as an occupational therapist in mental health services in the UK and Australia. Suzanne is a practice-based researcher and is passionate about implementation and evaluation of psycho-social evidence-based practices in clinical settings. This includes a focus on co-designed inter-disciplinary research that aims to foster positive changes in approaches, practices and culture in health care services. Suzanne's research is informed by the exploration of service users and clinicians experiences of care and aims to improve consumer care outcomes and experiences.

Suzanne works in clinical practice as Principal Occupational Therapist for SALHN mental health services.

Qualifications

PhD: Flinders University

Master of Clinical Science: University of Adelaide

Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: University of East Anglia

Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy: University of South Australia

Honours, awards and grants

Suzanne has secured over 1.6 million funding with competitive grants.

SALHN Research Enquiry Grants, 2022, 2023, 2024

MRFF Models of Care for Sexuality and Gender Diverse People, 2023 CIG

The Hospital Research Foundation, 2023 AI

Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) Grant, 2023 CIA

Hazel Hawke Research Grant in Dementia Care, Dementia Australia Research Foundation, 2022 CIA

Allied Health Research Collaboration Grants, 2017, 2021, 2022 CIA

Health Services Charitable Gift Board Research Grant, 2020 CIA

Publication Excellence Award, University of Adelaide, 2021

PhD thesis write-up stipend, Flinders University, 2020

Research Student Travel Conference Grant, Flinders University, 2019

SA Health Awards Finalist: Excellence in Strengthening Partnerships, 2019

Research Higher Degree student publication award, Flinders University, 2017

The Australian Federation of University Women- SA Inc. Bursary, 2016

Interests
  • Mental health rehabilitation, Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Safewards, Cognitive Remediation, Sensory Modulation (Weighted Blankets), Residential Aged Care