Annabel Youngson

Annabel Youngson is a dedicated academic and practitioner in the field of occupational therapy at the University of Cumbria. Her research spans multiple domains within occupational science, with particular focus on diabetes self-management, craft-based therapeutic approaches, and occupational marginalization. Through her extensive publication record since 2012, she has established herself as a significant contributor to occupational therapy literature and practice.

Dr. Youngson's research interests encompass a diverse range of topics including diabetes self-management through the lens of occupational therapy, slow occupation practices, craftivism as political engagement, and the application of metaphor in understanding health experiences. Her work demonstrates a consistent commitment to exploring how everyday occupations impact health and wellbeing, particularly through non-medical frameworks that empower individuals to manage chronic conditions within their life contexts.

Her scholarly output reveals a strong trend toward understanding health conditions as occupations themselves rather than merely medical issues to be treated. This perspective is most evident in her substantial body of work on diabetes self-management, where she conceptualizes this process as an occupation using the Model of Human Occupation framework. Additionally, her exploration of craft-based activities like slow stitching and mixed media art demonstrates how creative occupations can serve therapeutic purposes while promoting mindfulness and reflection.

• Developed innovative metaphor-based approaches to understanding diabetes experiences
• Pioneered research on slow occupation as therapeutic practice
• Explored craftivism as a means for occupational therapists to engage politically
• Investigated occupational marginalization related to gender-based violence
• Examined the role of anatomy knowledge within occupational therapy curricula

Dr. Youngson's collaborative approach is evident through her frequent work with colleagues Helen Wilby, Diane Cox, and Fiona Cole across multiple research projects. Her contributions to both academic literature and professional conferences demonstrate an active engagement with the occupational therapy community, sharing practical workshop formats alongside theoretical advancements in the field.