Staff Profile
Fiona Howlett
Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
I trained at Derby Institute of Higher Education and graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1991. From 1991 to 2005 I worked as an Occupational Therapist in the Yorkshire region and was employed in a range of clinical areas. I was Head of the Occupational Therapist and a Clinical Specialist in Community and Forensic learning disabilities, Intermediate care/community rehab and an Occupational Therapist in Social Services, stroke rehab and acute mental health day services.
I joined the academic teaching team in 2001 as a lecturer/practitioner, employed to teach moving and handling on the BHSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy programmes, becoming a Senior Lecturer in 2005 and Head of Programme for the BHSc (Hons) In Service Occupational Therapy Programme in 2007 to 2010.
My current role is a Senior Lecturer which involves, teaching at all levels of the BHSc (Hons) and MSc Pre-registration Occupational Therapy programmes.
- School – School of Science, Technology and Health
- Email – f.howlett@yorksj.ac.uk
- Phone – 01904 876 250
- Research - View my work in RaY
Further information
Teaching
My teaching is around applying the occupational therapy process and practical application of skills as well as moving and handling people.
I have a strong interest in occupational science and use a research informed approach to working with people who experience occupational injustices.
Research
My research interests are focused on social justice and specifically research informed teaching with asylum seekers and refugees on a community allotment project.
I have also completed research into older people and housing.
Cross school research: An exploration of practice-based evidence and the lived integration experiences of asylum seekers and refugees: a qualitative investigation
Value and meaning of a community allotment project with asylum seekers and refugees.
Creative group work with asylum seekers and refugees
'It's like hope in a dark room': a phenomenological study of Occupational Therapy students' experiences of participating in students as co researcher projects with asylum seekers and refugees. Doctoral research.
Publications and conferences
Publications
Spring, H, Howlett, F, Connor, C, Alderson, A, Antcliff, J, Dutton, K, Gray, O, Hirst, E, Jabeen, Z, Jamil, M, Mattimoe, S and Waister, S. (2018) Asylum Seekers, Refugees, Community Services, Occupation, Meaning, Cultural Relevance. International Journal of Migration, Health, and Social Care. 15(1) pp31-45.
Howlett, F and Spring, H (2017) The value and meaning of a drop-in centre for asylum seekers and refugees. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 80 (8 Sup). S74.1.
Brown, H and Howlett, F (2017) 'A critical evaluation of the 'Short Stay Project' - service users' perspectives. Housing, Care and Support, 20 (2). pp. 71-84.
Brown, H and Howlett, F (2017) Critical evaluation of the 'short stay project': service users' perspectives. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 80 (8 Sup). S34.1
Conference presentations
Charura, D. Smith, P., Spring, H., Howlett, F. Parveen, R. (2022) We all share the same sky. Healing through creativity, knowledge sharing, and conversations with refugees and asylum seekers. [Keynote presentation] Refugee and asylum seekers knowledge sharing event, York St John University 24 June 2022.
Spring, H., Howlett, F. (2021) Building resilience through occupation with people seeking sanctuary [Group Symposium] European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (ENOTHE), 9 September 2021. Online Presentation.
Howlett, F Spring, H (2019). Developing occupational therapy curricula for meaningful practice with asylum seekers and refugees. [Workshop Presentation] European Network of Occupational Therapists in Higher Education Athens, Greece. Facilitated workshop 18 October, 2019.
Howlett, F. Spring, H (2019). Working with asylum seekers and refugees in research: the experience of participating in a SCoRe Project. [Paper Presentation]. North Yorkshire Regional Group of Occupational Therapists Student Conference Teeside University.
Spring, H. Howlett F. (2019) An exploration of sustainability in craft-based activity groups for asylum seeking and refugee women. [Poster Presentation] Royal College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference. Birmingham June 2019.
Spring, H, Howlett, F. and Connor, C. (2018) World Federation of Occupational Therapists Conference International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. [Paper Presentation]. The value and meaning of a community centre service for refugees and asylum seekers: culture, collectivism, and application for occupational therapy practice. 22 May 2018, Cape Town International Convention centre: Cape Town, South Africa.
Howlett, F. Spring, H and Connor, C. (2017) The value and meaning of a Drop-In Centre for Refugees and Asylum seekers. [Paper presentation] In: Royal College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference, 19-20 June 2017, Birmingham ICC.
Howlett, F Spring, H. (2017) York St John University Talking about Teaching: Paper presentation: Discussion of a SCoRe project. The value and meaning of a drop-in centre for asylum seekers and refugees. October 2017 (Unpublished).
Howlett, F (2016) An exploration of the health experiences of people who are considered obese or plus size: [Facilitated poster] 2016 College of Occupational Therapists annual Conference Harrogate: Facilitated poster.
Howlett, F (2016) Obesity and bariatric care: embedding research into the undergraduate occupational therapy curriculum [Paper presentation] European network of Occupational Therapists in Higher Education Galway, Ireland.
Howlett, F and Wolverson, C. (2016) Community engagement within the curriculum.
[Facilitated workshop] European network of Occupational Therapists in Higher Education Galway, Ireland.
Howlett, F (2016) An exploration of health experiences of people who are plus sized or obese [Poster presentation] College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference Brighton.
Bannigan, K, Howlett, F Krusen N (2012) Engaging students in the global community: An example of a partnership approach [Joint paper presentation] (Pacific University, Oregon, US) College of Occupational Therapists Conference Glasgow.
Howlett, F and Wolverson, C (2011) Professional Practice experience prior to commencing Occupational Therapy Programme. Round table discussion. College of Occupational Therapist Annual Conference Brighton.
Professional activities
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and a member of the member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
I am the Chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists' Professional Practice Placement Tutors Forum.
