Staff Profile
Professor Anita Atwal
Professor of Occupational Therapy
I an occupational therapist and Allied Health Professional who specialises in interdisciplinary research that is fair and inclusive. My work is strongly service user, community focused and collaborative. I was recently seconded for 2 days a week to Health and Care Research Wales to develop a research action plan for Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals (AHP). Prior to this secondment in 2021 I was nominated by my peers to deliver the prestigious Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture: No Barriers to Brilliance: Social and Creative Courage to innovate and disrupt Occupational therapy practice.
Alongside my academic role, I hold national leadership responsibilities within the profession and work closely with policy, clinical, and community partners. I have held many senior roles in the Royal College of Occupational Therapists including member of the Research and Development Committee and Professional Practice Board. I am currently a trustee and council member for Research at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (voted by members).
Qualifications
I hold professional qualifications in occupational therapy alongside postgraduate qualifications in research and higher education. I have completed doctoral research focused on impact of interprofessional practice on discharge outcomes.
- School – School of Science, Technology and Health
- Email – a.atwal@yorksj.ac.uk
- Research - View my work in RaY
Further information
Teaching
I teach across undergraduate and postgraduate occupational therapy programmes. My teaching focuses on professional reasoning, research methods, inclusive practice, leadership, and evidence-informed decision making. I place strong emphasis on co-production, critical thinking, and real-world application.
I teach on:
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
- MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)
- Postgraduate modules in research methods and professional practice
Research
My research has delivered sustained and demonstrable impact across practice, workforce development, education, and policy within occupational therapy and the wider allied health professions, both nationally and internationally. Through a coherent programme of applied, co-produced, and equity-focused research, my work has strengthened the credibility, relevance, and social justice orientation of occupational therapy, particularly for Black and minoritised communities, older adults, and people with complex health and social care needs.
A defining feature of my impact is the translation of research into professional guidance, workforce initiatives, and service innovation. Funded by organisations including the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Health Education England, NIHR-linked schemes, the Elizabeth Casson Trust, and the Royal College of Podiatrists, my research has informed national approaches to mentoring, return-to-practice pathways, career progression, and leadership development for allied health professionals with protected characteristics. This work has influenced professional discourse and organisational practice,
My research has also shaped clinical practice and service delivery, particularly in discharge planning, home-based assessment, assistive technology, rehabilitation, and community-based care. Impact has been amplified through editorial leadership and knowledge mobilisation. have influenced the quality, inclusivity, and direction of published research in the field. My roles on national committees and boards, including the have ensured that research evidence informs policy, professional standards, and strategic priorities.
Collectively, my research has bridged evidence, practice, and policy, embedding co-production, inclusivity, and real-world impact at the heart of occupational therapy and allied health research.
Publications
Download a full list of my research outputs:
Professional activities
I have an extensive and sustained record of professional leadership, service, and scholarly citizenship within occupational therapy, allied health professions, and higher education. Mt activities span editorial governance, national professional leadership, workforce development, mentoring, curriculum design, and academic governance, demonstrating influence at institutional, national, and international levels.
I hold multiple senior leadership and governance roles within the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the British Association of Occupational Therapists, including elected Council membership, Directorships, Trusteeship, and service on national boards and forums. Through these roles, I have contributed to strategic decision-making, research governance, publications, workforce priorities, and professional standards across the profession.
My editorial and scholarly service includes senior editorial appointments, extensive peer-review activity for leading international journals, and past editorial board membership. I have made a significant contribution to research capacity building and mentoring, acting as a mentor for national fellowship schemes, supporting early-career researchers, and serving as an external PhD examiner across multiple international universities. I have successfully supported multiple doctoral completions and continues to supervise and examine postgraduate research.
In higher education, I have contributed extensively to curriculum development, quality assurance, and academic governance, including external examining, programme validation, apprenticeship development, interprofessional curriculum leadership, ethics review, fitness to practise processes, and membership of university academic boards and research committees.
