Karen HayesView profile
Lecturer
Karen Hayes is a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University. With over two decades of clinical experience, she focuses on rural health equity, workforce development, and spatial justice in non-urban healthcare systems. Education: BaAppSc(Occupational Therapy)(Hons), University of Western Sydney; MHlthSc(Education), University of Sydney; GCertAppHlthBPsych, University of Newcastle Research: Rural occupational therapy services, spatial justice, workforce maldistribution, disaster resilience, and interprofessional education Awards: Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (2024), Change One Thing Award (2023), Best Oral Presentation (2022), Best Presentation (2024) Her recent research examines the persistent shortage of occupational therapists in rural areas, spatial analysis of healthcare access, and simulation-based training for rural practice readiness. She advocates for systemic policy reforms to address geographic disparities in care provision. Key collaborations include work with institutions like the University of Western Sydney and active engagement in rural health conferences and policy groups. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and cultural awareness to prepare students for rural practice challenges.











