Alison Laver-Fawcett

Professor Alison Laver-Fawcett is a Professor in Occupational Therapy at the School of Science, Technology and Health, York St John University, where she has worked since 2008. She has extensive international experience having taught occupational therapy programs at Leeds Metropolitan University, University of Teesside, McMaster University in Canada, Washing University School of Medicine in St Louis, USA, and Canterbury Christchurch College. Her academic journey began with a PhD in Psychology (Neuropsychology and psychometrics) from the University of Surrey, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice from York St John University in 2009.

Professor Laver-Fawcett's research focuses on developing and evaluating occupational therapy and health outcome measures for older people, particularly those with dementia or stroke. She has developed two significant assessment tools: the Structured Observational Test of Function (SOTOF) and the Activity Card Sort United Kingdom version (ACS-UK). Her work spans multiple continents with research funding from organizations including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Council for Allied Health Professional Research (CAHPR), and various trusts in the UK and Canada. She has authored the widely used textbook 'Principles of Assessment and Outcome Measurement for Allied Health Professionals' now in its second edition.

Her scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on assessment tools, outcome measurement, and evidence-based practice in occupational therapy. The publication trends show her evolution from foundational work on assessment tools to broader applications in dementia care, stroke rehabilitation, and international collaboration in occupational therapy education. Her research integrates psychometric principles with practical clinical applications, creating tools that have become standard in occupational therapy practice.

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (since 2016)
• Co-author of the widely used textbook 'Principles of Assessment and Outcome Measurement for Allied Health Professionals'
• Development of the Structured Observational Test of Function (SOTOF)
• Development of the Activity Card Sort United Kingdom version (ACS-UK)
• Contributions to the Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement Rating Scale - Reablement Version (HRERS-RV)

Professor Laver-Fawcett supervises 5 PhD postgraduate researchers and 2 Masters by research postgraduate researchers. She serves as co-lead for the Postgraduate Supervisors Forum and has received multiple research grants from organizations including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and the King's Fund. She has conducted six funded evaluations since working at York St John University, including the Keeping Families in Mind service evaluation and the Social Prescribing project. She provides Continuing Professional Development workshops on assessment and outcome measurement internationally, including commissioned workshops in Hong Kong.

She is actively involved in professional organizations, serving on the Occupational Therapy Europe Foundation Executive since 2017 (as Chair of Research into Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science since 2020), and on editorial boards for the Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy and Annals of International Occupational Therapy. Her international engagement includes Erasmus-funded teaching exchanges across Europe and participation in global occupational therapy initiatives.