Fiona Jones

Fiona Jones serves as Professor of Rehabilitation Research at St George's, University of London and Kingston University, holding a joint academic appointment while leading impactful rehabilitation initiatives. She founded and serves as CEO of the social enterprise 'Bridges Self-management', which collaborates with over 300 acute and community rehabilitation teams across the UK, New Zealand, and Australia to implement evidence-based self-management practices for individuals with long-term conditions.

Her research program fundamentally centers on rehabilitation science with specialized focus in stroke recovery and neurological conditions. Professor Jones investigates professional attitudes and skills that foster inclusive self-management support systems within acute and community settings, examining sustainability frameworks and implementation barriers. A pioneer in methodological innovation, she champions co-design and participatory research approaches that actively integrate patients, caregivers, and clinical staff in co-producing rehabilitation programs. This philosophy has driven significant growth in therapeutic co-production models across international healthcare systems, transforming how rehabilitation services engage with service users.

Her exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognition:

• Life after stroke award for excellence from the UK Stroke Association (2009)
• Elevation to Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (2011)
• MBE for services to stroke rehabilitation in the Queen's Birthday Honours list (2017)

Professor Jones demonstrates substantial research leadership through major funded projects including a UK National Institute of Health Research grant evaluating Experience-Based Co-Design to enhance therapeutic activity in stroke units. Her academic stewardship includes serving as Editor-in-Chief of Physiotherapy Research International Journal (2006-2012) and Presidency of the UK Association of Physiotherapists in Neurology (2013-2017), reflecting sustained commitment to advancing rehabilitation science through scholarly contribution and professional governance.

Through Bridges Self-management, Professor Jones directs a dynamic international social enterprise functioning as an innovation hub for rehabilitation practice. The organization facilitates transformative partnerships between healthcare teams and people with long-term conditions, driving the development and implementation of patient-centered self-management frameworks across diverse healthcare systems while maintaining strong academic-practice integration.