Jane Hibberd

Jane Hibberd is an Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy at the University of East Anglia, School of Health Sciences. She has been a core academic member since 2005, contributing significantly to teaching, research, and administrative leadership. Her affiliations include the Norwich Electronic Assistive Technology (NEAT) initiative, the Athena Swan Committee, and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists as an accreditor.

Education:

• Doctor of Education (2019), School of Education & Lifelong Learning, University of East Anglia
• MSc in Health Sciences (2011), University of East Anglia
• BSc in Occupational Therapy (2001), Queen Margaret University
• Diploma in Occupational Therapy (1990), St Loyes School of Occupational Therapy

Her research centers on practice education, students with disabilities in higher education, and working with older adults. She integrates theoretical frameworks such as the Capability Approach and the ICF model to promote inclusive and effective occupational therapy education. Her work emphasizes equality, diversity, and the development of resilient, reflective practitioners.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on bridging classroom learning with clinical practice, the use of arts-based methods in therapy education, and narrative approaches to enhance student understanding. These works reflect interdisciplinary engagement across medical humanities, pedagogy, and disability studies.

Scientific Awards:

• Shortlisted for UEA Transforming Education Award (2019)
• Teaching Fellowship for enhancing student experiences (2007)
• Teaching Fellowship on Capability Approach in curriculum (2007–2012)
• Winner, UEA Student Partnership Officer of the Year (2022)

Jane has supervised numerous students and led major educational initiatives, including the development of the Apprenticeship Degree in Occupational Therapy. She has secured external funding through events like the CQC training at NEAT, generating over £10,000. Her grants and projects focus on equity, assistive technology, and inclusive pedagogy.

She leads or contributes to key labs and teams such as the NEAT (Norwich Electronic Assistive Technology) project, where she facilitated inspector training for the Care Quality Commission. She also contributes to the Equity Employability Project and the International Occupational Therapy Education Group, fostering global collaboration and innovation in therapy education.