Dr Suzanne Dawson

Practitioner Fellowship

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

place Bedford Park
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

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

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

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

Allied Health Research Collaboration Grants, 2017, 2021, 2022

Health Services Charitable Gift Board Research Grant, 2020

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

Supervisory interests
Aged care
Aged care workforce
Community-based rehabilitation
Dementia care
Mental health
Mental health policy and practice
Occupational therapy
Psychosocial
Higher degree by research supervision
Current
Associate supervisor: Dementia care (1), Workforce (1)