Laura Alison Waddell

Laura Alison Waddell is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, within the Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Physiotherapy, Podiatry & Radiography Division. She holds affiliations with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists, Health & Care Professions Council, and International Association of Infant Massage. Her career spans NHS roles in Scotland and Qatar, specializing in Women’s Health and Paediatrics with a focus on Early Years Neuro Development.

Education includes a 1st Class Honours BSc in Physiotherapy from Glasgow Caledonian University (2009) and an MSc in Health & Social Care (2018), emphasizing quality improvement. Her work in Qatar involved developing services for Doha’s first children’s hospital, including a culturally tailored Paediatric to Adult Transition Pathway.

Research interests center on service development in Paediatric Neurology, neonatal assessment correlations, and global physiotherapists’ perceptions of infant development. Current initiatives at QMU focus on integrating clinical simulation into physiotherapy education to enhance student preparedness for clinical practice. She also supports Practice-Based Learning to bridge theory and clinical placements.

Her projects include analyzing high-risk infants’ developmental assessments and evaluating transition experiences of young adults with spina bifida. These efforts aim to improve evidence-based practices and patient care standards.