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Patricia Welch SaleebyView profile

Professor

• Disability in Social Work
• International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
• Capability Approach
• +3 more

Patricia Welch Saleeby, Ph.D., is a Professor and Director of the Social Work Program at Bradley University’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She serves as Department Chair and is an internationally recognized expert in disability frameworks, particularly the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the Capability Approach. Her work bridges social work education and practice, emphasizing grant writing, fundraising, and curriculum innovation. Research Focus: Disability theory, ICF implementation, ecosocial work, health policy, and community integration. Leadership: Former member of the Council on Social Work Education Board of Directors and WHO committees. Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles, including analyses of disability models, health equity, and technology-driven healthcare solutions.

• Audiological Rehabilitation
• Hearing Impairment
• Disability Studies
• +4 more

Jennie Hjaldahl is a Lecturer at the Department of Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Örebro University. Her research focuses on audiological rehabilitation, quality of life, and psychosocial impacts of severe hearing loss. She actively collaborates within the Interdisciplinary Research in Clinical Audiology (IRCA) group and has contributed to studies on hearing aid utilization, cochlear implants, and patient-centered care frameworks. Current Affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Örebro University Research Focus: Hearing impairment rehabilitation, disability studies, quality of life metrics Key Collaborations: Interdisciplinary Research in Clinical Audiology (IRCA) Her publications from 2014-2023 highlight trends in audiological rehabilitation, including technological interventions (hearing aids, cochlear implants), psychosocial consequences of hearing loss, and contextual barriers to rehabilitation access. She applies the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework in disability research and emphasizes patient perspectives in clinical audiology. Contact: jennie.hjaldahl@oru.se

Lorraine DesouzaView profile

Professor

• Multiple sclerosis management
• Chronic pain
• Spinal pain
• +3 more

Professor Lorraine Desouza is an Honorary Professor at Brunel University London, affiliated with the Department of Health Sciences within the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. Her academic and clinical career is deeply rooted in neurorehabilitation, with a focus on improving the lives of individuals living with chronic neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. Research Interests: Management of multiple sclerosis and lifestyle adaptation for patients and carers Chronic spinal pain and disability Neurorehabilitation and clinical physiotherapy Disability studies and rehabilitation outcomes Use of assistive technologies in neurological care Her research spans over 14 years and integrates clinical experience with rigorous academic inquiry. She has contributed to systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and qualitative studies that explore both the physiological and psychosocial dimensions of chronic illness and disability. Scientific Contributions: Professor Desouza has published extensively in high-impact journals such as Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , Spine , Disability and Rehabilitation , and Clinical Rehabilitation . Her work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration, including co-authorship with experts in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, neurology, and health informatics. PhD Supervision: She actively supervises doctoral students in rehabilitation and related fields, fostering critical thinking and research excellence. Her mentorship is described as both challenging and supportive, with a strong emphasis on producing peer-reviewed publications and impactful research. Research Groups: She is associated with the CRR (Clinical Rehabilitation Research) and BIAS (Brunel Interdisciplinary Assessment and Support) groups, contributing to collaborative research initiatives at Brunel University.

• Business Intelligence
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Processing and Analysis
• +3 more

Leonards Budņiks serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice at the Economics and Business Institute within Riga Technical University's Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from RTU and is an ICF-certified professional coach. His educational background includes: Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Riga Technical University Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management ICF-certified professional coaching credential Budņiks specializes in business intelligence, artificial intelligence, and data processing applications for enterprise systems. His work integrates MS Excel and Power BI tool development with practical business analytics, emphasizing the societal and economic impact of IT. He actively promotes curriculum innovation and student engagement in technical knowledge application. His project leadership spans major institutional initiatives: Implementation of consolidation and management changes across RTU and partner institutions (2024-2026) as Scientific Assistant Building 21st Century STEM Education Ecosystem (ERASMUS+, 2022-2025) as Study Process Expert Massive Open Online Week for Collaborative Digital Education (ERASMUS+, 2022-2024) as Study Process Expert European University of Technology initiative (ERASMUS+, 2020-2023) as International Cooperation Organizer Committed to professional growth, he regularly participates in IT conferences and online training while providing data consulting services to Latvian enterprises.

Cécile HoareauView profile

Researcher

• Higher Education
• Internationalisation
• European Higher Education Policy
• +3 more

Cécile Hoareau is a Researcher affiliated with the Goldman School of Public Policy and the Center for Studies in Higher Education at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also a Managing Consultant at ICF, focusing on policy research in education and innovation for EU institutions. Her work includes advising governments on student learning metrics, higher education funding reforms, and internationalization strategies. Education: PhD in Higher Education Policy from the London School of Economics (thesis on the Bologna Process) Postdoctoral Fulbright-Schuman Researcher at UC Berkeley (2010-2011) Research Interests: Cécile’s expertise spans higher education policy, comparative systems analysis, internationalization, and European education governance. She has led EU-funded projects on university innovation governance, advised on student loan systems, and contributed to policy frameworks for global talent attraction. Key Contributions: Her research on learning gain metrics influenced UK and EU policies, while her work on the Bologna Process and EU student mobility financing has shaped European educational frameworks. She co-authored studies on admission systems, youth employment programs, and the role of universities in economic innovation. Labs/Teams: Active in collaborative networks including UNU-MERIT and RAND Europe, focusing on higher education reform and policy transfer.

Andrea RieckenView profile

Professor

• Social Work
• Mental Health
• Addiction Treatment
• +4 more

Prof. Andrea Riecken is a Professor of Social Work (with a focus on addictions and psychiatry) at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. She holds a doctorate in history and is a licensed psychologist and psychotherapist (behavioral therapy). Her academic career includes roles as a lecturer and professor since 2005, with extensive clinical background in social psychiatry, addiction treatment, and psychosomatic care. Education: Psychology and Sociology studies at University of Osnabrück (1991–1999) PhD in History (2004) on migration and healthcare policy Psychotherapy training completion (2010) Research Interests: Her work focuses on social work’s role in mental health, addiction treatment, migration studies, and inclusive employment. She emphasizes evidence-based practices in integration services, cross-cultural competence in healthcare, and policies promoting social inclusion for marginalized groups. Recent projects include evaluating integration aid effectiveness with the Osnabrück District (2024–2027). Grants & Leadership: Co-developed inclusion frameworks for social work programs, led university initiatives on diversity and intercultural competence (2011–2015), and served on faculty and senate committees. Current projects address digital transformation of integration services and ICF-based outcome measurement in addiction care. Labs/Teams: Active in the university’s 'Inclusive Education' research focus and collaborates with regional healthcare providers on applied social work projects.

Gregor RennerView profile

Professor

• Inclusive Education
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Disability Studies
• +4 more

Gregor Renner is a Professor of Special Education and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg , where he has worked since 2008. He also serves as the Head of the BA Program in Inclusive Education and is a member of the Baden-Württemberg Center of Applied Research (BW-CAR) . His research focuses on the intersection of disability, social participation , and assistive technology , particularly for individuals with complex communication needs. Key organizational roles: President of ISAAC (2015–2018), Spokesperson for BW-CAR's research area "Education - Socialization - Inclusion" Expertise in AAC theory, diagnostic tools, and communication aid design International collaborations across 12 countries and 20+ universities His work aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the WHO ICF framework , emphasizing digital accessibility, workplace inclusion, and technological empowerment for people with disabilities. Renner has conducted extensive studies on mainstream technology adoption in disability care facilities using the NASSS framework . Research trends across his publications include: Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems Assistive Technology evaluation and implementation Digital inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities Co-construction of meaning in AAC interactions Usability studies for communication aids Impact of mainstream technologies on participation Renner's international partnerships span institutions in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA. He has also contributed to theoretical models in AAC and analyzed the social impact of digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic on disability communities.

Sue LukersmithView profile

Associate Professor

• Health Services Research
• Disability Studies
• Mental Health
• +3 more

Sue Lukersmith is an Associate Professor and Senior Academic Project Specialist at the University of Canberra's Health Research Institute. She holds a part-time role with the World Health Organization (WHO), contributing to international reports and the WHO ICF Australia Interest Group. Her expertise spans health services research, implementation science, and complex interventions for disability and chronic conditions. She has 20+ years of experience in occupational therapy, academia, and industry, including roles at the University of Sydney and Australian National University. Education : PhD, Taxonomy of Case Management (2017) Master of Ergonomics (2008) Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy, 1979) Research Focus : Person-centred care, implementation research for complex interventions, and care coordination for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in healthcare access and education. Projects : Global Evaluation of Indigenous Social Emotional Wellbeing (2024–2031) MChart Demonstration Study for Mental Health Navigation (2022–2025) Veterans and First Responders Mental Health Program Evaluation (2021–2025) Collaborations : Cross-country studies on veterans' mental health, ecosystem approaches for preventive interventions, and eHealth initiatives in workplaces. She serves on editorial boards (e.g., Comprehensive Psychiatry ) and international committees like the International Foundation for Integrated Care.

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Child Communication Disorders
• Intervention Strategies
• +4 more

Jane McCormack is an Associate Professor in the School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on children's communication disorders, particularly speech sound disorders (SSDs), and the development of interventions to support affected children. She explores interdisciplinary approaches involving educators, speech-language pathologists, and families, emphasizing collaborative service delivery and digital tools for therapy. McCormack’s work addresses systemic challenges in early childhood education, including literacy risks linked to SSDs and the psychosocial impacts of communication difficulties. Research Themes : SSDs, multilingual assessment, intervention fidelity, and equity in communication access. Key Contributions : Co-developed the Framework of Polysyllable Maturity and led studies on computer-assisted interventions in schools. Her articles highlight trends in qualitative studies of stakeholder experiences (e.g., educators, parents) and quantitative analyses of intervention effectiveness. McCormack advocates for the human right to communicate, influencing policy through frameworks like the ICF-CY. She has co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, focusing on translational research bridging clinical practice and educational systems.

• Occupational Therapy
• Healthcare Systems
• Work Health and Safety
• +5 more

Susan Wendy Darzins is a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the School of Allied Health within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on occupational therapy applications in clinical and non-clinical settings, emphasizing measurement tools, workforce well-being, and therapeutic interventions. Key areas include exposure to death in healthcare environments, forensic rehabilitation, and elderly driver rehabilitation. She has contributed to the development of standardized clinical documentation frameworks linked to the International Classification of Functioning (ICF). Her scholarly work spans qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including randomized controlled trials evaluating educational interventions and simulation-based training for occupational therapy students. Collaborative projects include establishing national registries for pediatric spinal cord disorders and analyzing work health and safety in funeral industries. Dr. Darzins' research promotes evidence-based practice through rigorous assessment tool validation and feasibility studies in clinical settings. Notable contributions include studies on forensic solitary confinement therapy, functional autonomy measurement systems, and driver rehabilitation for older adults. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and occupational therapy practice standards across diverse healthcare environments.

Wendy D'haenensView profile

Lecturer

• Hearing Assessment
• Inclusive Education
• Classroom Acoustics
• +5 more

Wendy D'haenens is a Lecturer-Researcher at Ghent University , affiliated with the People and Well-being research group since 2016. She holds a PhD in Social Health Sciences from Ghent University, focusing on auditory steady-state response clinical applications. Her roles include teaching courses in hearing diagnostics, noise management, and methodical action, alongside supervising undergraduate theses. Research interests emphasize Classroom acoustics ICF (WHO) frameworks in speech therapy and audiology Telepractice implementation (e.g., TeleLAC-12 project) and inclusive education methodologies, particularly flipped classroom approaches. Her practice-based research bridges clinical audiology and educational interventions, with a focus on objective/subjective hearing assessments and empowerment strategies. No specific grants or lab affiliations are detailed in the text.

• Public Health
• Exercise Psychology
• Social Inclusion
• +3 more

Liz Carlin is a Lecturer at the School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland. She has been accepting PhD students since 2019. Her research focuses on public health, exercise psychology, and social inclusion, with an emphasis on making sport and physical activity accessible to marginalized populations, including people with disabilities and those living with dementia. Current collaborations include Project Echo, studying the legacy of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Toronto Pan American Games. Co-leading the 'Understanding Sport and Disability in Scotland' project with the Observatory for Sport in Scotland. Key research areas involve factors influencing participation in physical activity, lived experiences of disabled populations, and policy frameworks for inclusive sport. She employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including large-scale public health dataset analyses. Her work addresses challenges in disability sport accessibility, dementia-inclusive leisure activities, and healthcare professional training programs. Recent projects highlight adaptations of walking football for dementia patients and peer-led initiatives to promote physical activity advice in clinical settings. Grants and advising: Advising PhD students; no specific grants detailed. Collaborations span international sport policy research and local disability advocacy initiatives. Labs/Teams: Active in the Observatory for Sport in Scotland collaboration and affiliated with sport policy research networks.

Anna Levke BrüttView profile

Researcher

• Health Psychology
• Patient-Centered Care
• Chronic Disease Management
• +4 more

Anna Levke Brütt is a Researcher at the Department of Medical Psychology within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hamburg. She leads the Psychosocial Medicine research group focusing on patient-centered care, chronic disease management, and participatory research methodologies. Her work integrates clinical practice with health systems research to improve healthcare outcomes and patient engagement. Dr. Brütt's research emphasizes healthcare equity and stakeholder involvement, particularly in areas like palliative care, multiple sclerosis management, and smoking cessation. She has contributed to studies evaluating healthcare utilization patterns, treatment outcomes, and policy implementation across diverse patient populations. Her team collaborates closely with clinicians, policymakers, and patient groups to ensure translational impact of research findings. Key areas of expertise include: Patient participation frameworks Health services implementation science Qualitative health research methods Chronic disease patient pathways Health policy analysis Her work addresses both clinical and systemic challenges in healthcare delivery through mixed-methods approaches, combining quantitative epidemiological analyses with qualitative stakeholder interviews.

• Special Education
• Inclusion and Equity in Education
• Educational Methodology
• +3 more

Johan Malmqvist is a Professor at Linnaeus University's Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences. He co-leads the Research in Inclusion, Democracy and Equity (RIDE) research environment, focusing on special education, inclusion, and equity. His work addresses schools' capacity to meet diverse student needs and develops methodologies for inclusive practices. Current projects include the 'Connected Children' initiative for knowledge-based prevention strategies. Education Background: Holds a doctoral degree in education from Gothenburg University (2001), with prior research on mobility-impaired students' learning. Research Interests: Special education policy, inclusion/exclusion dynamics, educational equity, and qualitative methodology. He emphasizes theory development and practical applications for marginalized learners. Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters since 1999, focusing on ADHD education, school segregation, and support systems. Recent work critiques pilot study neglect in qualitative research and explores student experiences with severe impairments. Labs/Teams: Leads RIDE, collaborating with experts in special and social pedagogy. Active in interdisciplinary projects like the EU-funded 'BroTIn' (Transitions in Inclusion).

• Hearing Loss Research
• Health Psychology
• Disability Studies
• +6 more

Stephen Widen is a Senior Lecturer at Örebro University's Department of Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences. He holds a PhD in Psychology and specializes in interdisciplinary disability research focusing on hearing loss, health psychology, and audiological rehabilitation. His work bridges psychological theories with audiological and social science perspectives. Research interests: Decision-making models in health risk behaviors, hearing conservation, and assistive technologies for individuals with hearing impairments Active in the Disability - Society (FunkSam) research group and palliative care research Recent research includes studies on noise exposure in workplaces, longitudinal analyses of sensory/cognitive functioning in older adults, and validation of the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ). His work often involves international collaborations and participatory intervention methods. Teaching responsibilities include developmental psychology, research methodology, and supervision of doctoral students in disability-related studies.