Anita Atwal

Anita Atwal is an Associate Professor in Interprofessional Learning and Occupational Therapy at London South Bank University. She is an experienced occupational therapist and Allied Health Professional with a strong commitment to fair, inclusive, and service-user-focused research. She is currently seconded to Health and Care Research Wales to develop a research action plan for Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).

• PhD (1997–1999)
• MSc (1995)
• Senior Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, Brunel University London (1999–2015)

Anita’s research is interdisciplinary and applied, emphasizing participatory and mixed methods to drive real-world policy and practice change. Her work focuses on improving health and wellbeing for older people with long-term conditions, transitions from hospital to home, digital health solutions, and equity in healthcare. A major theme in her recent research is mentoring for Black and minoritised occupational therapists and AHPs, aiming to address systemic barriers and promote inclusivity.

Her recent publications (2023–2024) demonstrate a strong trend in mentoring, return-to-practice challenges, and equity for protected characteristic groups within healthcare professions. These studies employ qualitative, mixed-methods, and scoping review approaches, often involving user-led and collaborative research designs.

Anita has received notable recognition for her contributions:

• Delivered the prestigious Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture in 2021: No Barriers to Brilliance: Social and Creative Courage to innovate and disrupt Occupational therapy practice
• Research funded by the Elizabeth Casson Trust on mentoring for minoritised OTs

Anita is an active mentor and supervisor for PhD students nationally and internationally. She has served as an Associate Editor for Occupational Therapy International and is a peer and grant reviewer for journals and funding bodies such as the NIHR. She has held senior leadership roles in the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, including Research and Development Committee member, Professional Practice Board member, and currently serves as a trustee and council member for Research. She is also developing a London-wide network across five NHS Trusts to support research among minoritised OTs.

Anita has published over 60 research articles and two widely used textbooks, both in their second editions, on active ageing and professional practice for AHPs. She regularly presents at national and international conferences and participates in webinars to promote research and inclusivity in healthcare.