Staff Profile
Kerry Edwards
Subject Director Occupational Therapy
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I graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1988 from this university (formerly known as the College of Ripon and York St John).
From 1988 to 2006 I worked in the Yorkshire region as an occupational therapist in the field of musculoskeletal health care, specialising in working with people who have an injury/condition impacting on the occupational performance of their hand/arm . I successfully completed MSc in Allied Health (Hand Therapy) from the University of Derby in 2005.
I joined the academic teaching team in 1999 as a lecturer/practitioner (ie working part-time as an educator and part-time as a clinician.) My last clinical post was in 2004 to 2006; I worked as a clinical specialist in occupational therapy (Musculoskeletal Team). Within this role I developed the use of splinting as an intervention across a wide range of specialties within the Trust. I became a full time educator in 2006.
I am currently the induction tutor for the undergraduate Occupational Therapy programme. I am committed to developing an exceptional learning experience for students at the university.
Areas of Interest:
- Working with people following elective and traumatic surgery
- Self-management programmes for people with long term conditions
- Splinting as an intervention
- Ergonomics in the workplace
Academic Qualifications:
- MSc in Allied Health (Hand Therapy), University of Derby
- Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, York St. John University
- Currently undertaking Professional Doctorate in Education at York St John University
- School – School of Science, Technology and Health
- Email – k.edwards2@yorksj.ac.uk
- Phone – 01904 876 807
Teaching
I teach across both the undergraduate and MSc Occupational Therapy Programmes on a range of topic areas but predominantly focused on working with people with physical health and social care needs.
Research
I have developed a strong interest in Social Media and manage the programme's X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook accounts, as well as the programme's blog. I am interested in how social media can be effectively used to enhance student engagement with their learning and experience on their programme of study.
Professional activities
Membership of:
- Health and Care Professions Council
- British Association of Occupational Therapists
- College of Occupational Therapists
- Higher Education Academy
- British Association of Hand Therapists
- College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section: Rheumatology
- Health and Wellbeing at Work Network
Publications
Sorby K (2009) Occupational Therapy for hand injuries. In Mooney M, Ireson C Occupational Therapy in Orthopaedics and Trauma. Chichester: Wiley- Blackwell Publishing.
MacDonald R, Sorby K (2006) Protection and Preservation: maintaining occupational independence in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. In Addy L Occupational Therapy Evidence in Practice for Physical Rehabilitation. Oxford; Blackwell Publishing.
Sorby K (2006) Travelling the integrated pathway: the experience of a total hip replacement. In Addy L Occupational Therapy Evidence in Practice for Physical Rehabilitation. Oxford; Blackwell Publishing.
Papers presented at national and international conferences
July 2018 Higher Education Academy Conference, Birmingham UK
(Oral presentation) Connecting global communities of practice through social media to enhance teaching and learning
December 2016 Social Media in Higher Education Conference. Sheffield, UK
(Oral presentation) “Sowing seeds for a bumper harvest” an example of students as co-creators.
July 2010 Service Users’ experience of a Stroke Association health promotion Course. College of Occupational Therapists Annual Conference. Brighton.
May 2010 (Poster Presentation) Development of a self-management programme for people fitted with a splint for osteoarthritis of the thumb. World Federation of Occupational Therapist Conference, Chile
Jan 2008 Getting published – a dissemination report. Occupational therapy in Trauma and Orthopaedics Annual Conference.
Nov 2005 A splinting clinic to enhance occupation for patients with osteoarthritis of their thumb . British Association of Hand Therapists Tri Annual Conference with The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Nov 2005 Using Integrated Care Pathways to deliver client-centred care” and “ A Splinting clinic – enhancing occupation for clients with osteoarthritis of the thumb. Occupational Therapy in Trauma and Orthopaedics Annual Conference.
