Karen la Cour

Karen la Cour is a Professor at the Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), leading the Research Unit for User Perspectives & Community-based Interventions. She holds a PhD from Karolinska Institutet (2008) and an MSc in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University (1991). Her career spans roles as Head of Research Groups, Affiliated Professor at Suunaas Hospital, Norway, and Research Director at REHPA.

• Academic Degrees: PhD (Karolinska Institutet), MSc (Tufts University)
• Current Role: Professor, SDU; Focus on community-based cancer rehabilitation and palliative care

Research Interests center on coordination of rehabilitation and palliative care, advanced cancer patient quality of life, occupational therapy interventions, and community-based healthcare models. Her work emphasizes social equality, home-life adaptation, and co-production with patients and relatives.

Selected Articles highlight her contributions to advanced cancer care, existential support programs, and resource-oriented interventions. Recent studies focus on virtual rehabilitation for dementia, young adult cancer survivors, and environmental restorative potential in palliative settings.

Scientific Awards include the Jeppe Juhl Jensen Endowment Grant (2019), European Cancer Rehabilitation Symposium Poster Prize (2016), Ropox Prize (2015), and a Fulbright Scholarship (1989).

Supervision involves mentoring PhD and Master’s students, with seven PhD graduates and four current students. Her projects include YATAC (young adult cancer survivors), COMPAS (socioeconomically disadvantaged cancer patients), and BALanSE (balance and quality of life in cancer care).