Claire Kerr

Dr. Claire Kerr is a Professor in Rehabilitation at Queen's University Belfast's School of Nursing and Midwifery, focusing on improving healthcare for children with physical disabilities, particularly cerebral palsy. She leads the Maternal and Child Health Research group and holds roles in the MHLS Faculty Research Innovation Translation Committee and the QUB Patient and Public Involvement Group. Her research spans epidemiology, therapeutic interventions, and service provision for neurodisabled populations. She has secured grants totaling over £multi-million, including the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register (2017-2023) and projects on physical activity participation and digital health tools.

Education and Teaching: She teaches undergraduate evidence-based nursing and coordinates postgraduate modules in musculoskeletal care. Current PhD students include Haifa Alfouzan (Saudi Arabia) studying physical activity in cerebral palsy and Michelle Stowell on social inclusion for disabled youth.

Research Interests: Her work emphasizes clinical measurement tools, knowledge translation for allied health professionals, and family-centered care. She has published over 150 articles and received awards like the British Academy of Childhood Disability-Castang Fellowship and Health Research Board grants.

Grants and Awards: Notable projects include £1M+ funding for the Cerebral Palsy Register and collaborative grants with institutions like Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and University of California. She has led studies on sleep disturbances in cerebral palsy and postoperative musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Labs and Collaborations: She co-leads the SPACE project on urban environments and aging, and collaborates internationally on neurodisability research. Her work aligns with UN SDGs on health equity and sustainable cities.