Annual Conference

When you prepare your submissions, use the content submission guidance which include specific requirements and guidance that you need to follow.

Attending our Annual Conference is a CPD activity.

As a member, you can now record your CPD learnings on your CPD portfolio. Find out more about the CPD portfolio.

We've put together a reflection tool so you can record your reflections from Annual Conference. The questions will prompt you to reflect on what you've learned, how that learning might be relevant to your practice and to identify any gaps in your knowledge. This'll help you in meeting the HCPC's CPD standards, so you may want to use this as evidence of CPD. We've also included questions to help you think about the actions you'll take and plan next steps.

We have included a PDF version and a Powerpoint version depending on your preference. Remember, you can still access our 2023 content until the end of December 2023; use these reflection tools until then.

Annual Conference 2023 took place 14–15 June 2023. The themes for Annual Conference 2023 were: 

• Breaking through.
• Growing primary care.
• Moving forward: workforce innovation and diversification.
• Supporting wellbeing and resilience.

Read all about what went on at #RCOT2023 in the summary of highlights.

Sponsors of #RCOT2023

Thank you to the sponsors of Annual Conference 2023. With your support we were able to provide a memorable event for the occupational therapy community. Take a look and find out who they were! 

We'd like to thank all the reviewers who marked the submissions which helped contribute to the compilation of the Annual Conference programme, including:  

• Susan Allen, Senior Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University  
• Dr Lynne Andonian, Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, San Jose State University, USA  
• Dr Anita Atwal, Associate Professor, London South Bank University  
• Dr Mary Birken, Research Fellow, University College London  
• Professor E Sharon Brintnell, Professor Emerita, University of Alberta  
• Terence Brown, Disability Assessor, Capita 
• Associate Professor Helen Buchanan (PhD), Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Cape Town, South Africa  
• Dr Josh Cameron, Reader in Occupational Therapy, University of Brighton  
• Dr Glenys Carlson, Occupational Therapy reviewer and new graduate mentor 
• Dr Daniel Cezar da Cruz, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Leeds Beckett University  
• Dr Yu-Wei Ryan Chen, Lecturer, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia  
• Dr Sidney Chu, Fellow, Royal College of Occupational Therapists (UK), Honorary Fellow, Brunel University London 
• Dr Deidre Cooke, Rehabilitation Coordinator, Mater Private Hospital, Brisbane, Australia  
• Mariana D’Amico, Professor, Nova Southeastern University-Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Florida, USA 
• Dr Kate D’Cruz, Senior Research Fellow, Summer Foundation, Latrobe University (adjunct), Melbourne, Australia  
• Deborah Davidson, Occupational Therapy Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, Golden Jubilee National Hospital  
• Alison Double, Senior Lecturer, University of Worcester  
• Dr Denise Franzsen, Sessional Senior Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 
• Nichola Gadsby, Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy, Coventry University  
• Dr MaryBeth Gallagher, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Doctorate Division, Duke University School of Medicine, NC, USA  
• Dr James Gavin, Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton  
• Dr Emma Green, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy/ Learning and Teaching Advisor, Glasgow Caledonian University  
• Dr Nigel Gribble, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Curtin University  
• Professor Louise Gustafsson, Griffith University, QLD, Australia  
• Dr Katie Hackett, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Northumbria University  
• Dr David Haines, Principal Lecturer, University of Brighton  
• Dr Michele Harrison, Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh  
• Professor Priscilla Harries, Head of Graduate Research School and Researcher Development, Kingston University   
• Dr Michele Harrison, Research Fellow, Research Knowledge and Exchange Development Unit, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh  
• Dr Karen Hebert, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of South Dakota, USA  
• Dr Heather Hurst, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Cardiff University  
• Kalimah Ibrahiim, Council Member, RCOT Board: England / Lecturer, Programme Lead, University of East London   
• Melissa Jacobs, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, The University of Plymouth  
• Trine A. Magne, Associated Professor, VID Specialized University (Norway)  
• Jamie McNaught, Rehabilitation Divisional Lead, NHS Golden Jubilee  
• Ian Merrick, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy and Head of Vocational Recovery Services, West London NHS Trust  
• Sue Mesa, Senior Lecturer, York St John University  
• Dr Sushmita Mohapatra, Consultant Therapist, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board  
• Dr Karen Morris, Associate Professor, Professional Lead for Health Simulation, University of Cumbria 
• Gry Mørk, Senior Lecturer, VID Specialized University (Norway)     
• Dr Angela Murphy, Senior Lecturer, Leeds Beckett University    
• Dr Helen Myers, Trial Manager, Keele Clinical Trials Unit, Keele University   
• Dr Hiromi Nakamura-Thomas, Professor, Saitama Prefectural University, Japan  
• Dr Miriam Noonan, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth  
• Jennifer O'Brien, Lecturer, Australian Catholic University  
• Dr Alisha Ohl, Program Director and Chair, Clarkson University, USA 
• Dr Davina Parker, Head of Occupational Therapy (Retired), University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust  
• Dr Freyr Patterson, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia  
• Dr Anna Pettican, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Essex  
• Dr Thais Pousada García, Senior Lecturer, University of A Coruña, Spain  
• Dr Catherine Purcell, Reader, Cardiff University  
• Odeth Richardson, Chair of Council, Royal College of Occupational Therapists and Head of Occupational Therapy at the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals (NUTH) 
• Jennifer Rolfe, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy (BSc Programme Lead), University of Plymouth  
• Dr Veronica T. Rowe, Assistant Professor, Georgia State University, USA 
• Dr Renate Ruckser-Scherb, Senior researcher and lecturer, University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria  
• Dr Panagiota Smyrni, Lecturer in Health Sciences, Brunel University London  
• Libby Thompson, School Portfolio Lead: Employability; School of Health and Social Wellbeing, UWE Bristol   
• Anita Volkert, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy and AHP Practice Placements Lead, Glasgow Caledonian University  
• Samantha Whiting, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, The University of Plymouth  
• Dr Tim Xu Tianma, Assistant Professor, Singapore Institute of Technology   

• Connecting health and social care.
• Powering breakthroughs.
• Embracing the digital world.
• Innovating our profession.

We'd like to thank all the reviewers who marked all the submissions which helped contribute to the compilation of the Annual Conference programme, including: 

• Susan Allen, Lecturer/ Practitioner, Wrexham Glyndwr University 
• Dr Lynne Andonian, Professor, San Jose State University, USA 
• Dr Tammy Aplin, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia  
• Dr Anita Atwal, Associate Professor, London South Bank University 
• Dr Katrina Bannigan, Head of Occupational Therapy and Dietetics, Glasgow Caledonian University 
• Dr Linda Barclay, Senior Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, Monash University, Australia
• Dr Mary Birken
• Professor E Sharon Brintnell, Professor Emerita, University of Alberta 
• Terence Brown, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Derby 
• Dr Helen Buchanan, Associate Professor and Head, Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Cape Town, South Africa 
• Dr Josh Cameron, Reader in Occupational Therapy, University of Brighton 
• Dr Glenys Carlson, Occupational Therapy reviewer and new graduate mentor
• Dr Daniel Cezar da Cruz, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Leeds Beckett University 
• Dr Sidney Chu, Fellow, Royal College of Occupational Therapists (UK), Honorary Fellow, Brunel University London, Honorary Member, Sensory Integration Network - UK & Ireland 
• Christine Craik, Occupational Therapy Consultant, Independent Practice 
• Dr Jane Cronin-Davis, Associate Professor/Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy, Deputy Dean for Students, St George's, University of London 
• Mariana D’Amico, Professor, Nova Southeastern University-Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Florida, USA
• Dr Kate D’Cruz, Senior Research Fellow, Summer Foundation; La Trobe University
• Alison Double, Senior Lecturer, University of Worcester 
• Professor Avril Drummond, Professor of Healthcare Research and occupational therapist, University of Nottingham 
• Paul Dunning, Professional Head of Staff Health & Wellbeing; Council Member, RCOT, Swansea Bay University Health Board  
• Shane Elliott, Housing and Health Lead; Council Member, RCOT, Department of Health Northern Ireland 
• Dr Denise Franzsen, Senior Lecturer/ Adult Physical, Research, University of the Witwatersrand
• Fiona Fraser, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth 
• Nichola Gadsby, Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy, Coventry University 
• Thais Pousada García, Senior lecturer, University of A Coruña
• Dr Mary Grant, Clinical Health Coach, Working to Wellbeing   
• Dr Emma Green, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy/ Learning and Teaching Advisor, Glasgow Caledonian University 
• Professor, Louise Gustafsson, Griffith University 
• Dr David Haines, Principal Lecturer, University of Brighton 
• Dr Michele Harrison, Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh 
• Dr Karen Hebert, Assistant Professor, University of South Dakota, USA
• Ying Herng Heng, Clinical Lead for Paediatric OT, Ealing Community Partners NHS Trust 
• Dr Danielle Hitch, Allied Health Research and Translation Lead, Western Health, Melbourne, Australia  
• Julie Hughes, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane Campus 
• Heather Hurst, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Cardiff University 
• Melissa Jacobs, Occupational Therapy Lecturer, The University of Plymouth 
• Jamie McNaught, Rehabilitation lead, National Elective Services, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank 
• Ian Merrick, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy and Head of Vocational Recovery Services, West London NHS Trust 
• Sue Mesa, Senior Lecturer, York St John University 
• Dr Sushmita Mohapatra, Lecturer & Consultant OT, Brunel University London 
• Dr Helen Myers, Trial Manager, Keele Clinical Trials Unit, Keele University  
• Hiromi Nakamura-Thomas, Professor, Saitama Prefectural University, Japan 
• Dr Miriam Noonan, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth 
• Alisha Ohl, Associate Professor / Chair of Occupational Therapy, Clarkson University, USA
• Dr Davina Parker, Head of Occupational Therapy (Retired), University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 
• Dr Freyr Patterson, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 
• Dr Linda Robertson, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand
• Jennifer Rolfe, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Placement Lead for Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth 
• Dr Veronica T. Rowe, Assistant Professor, Georgia State University, USA
• Dr Renate Ruckser-Scherb, Senior researcher and lecturer, University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria 
• Dr Panagiota Smyrni, Lecturer in Health Sciences, Brunel University London 
• Libby Thompson, School Portfolio Lead: Employability; School of Health and Social Wellbeing, UWE Bristol  
• Dr Katie Thomson, Lecturer, Research & International Lead, Glasgow Caledonian University  
• Dr Ailie Turton, Senior Lecturer, University of the West of England, Bristol   
• Anita Volkert, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy and AHP Practice Placements Lead, Glasgow Caledonian University 
• Dr Alison Warren, Academic Lead and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth 
• Dr Tim Xu Tianma, Asst/Prof, Singapore Institute of Technology   

Thank you to our abstract and submission reviewers who marked this year’s submissions for Conference to make sure they met our criteria. The reviewers include:

• Susan Allen MSc, Senior Lecturer, Wrexham Glyndwr University
• Dr Samantha Ashby, Associate Professor, University of Newcastle, Australia
• Dr Katrina Bannigan, Head of Occupational Therapy & Dietetics, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Dr Linda Barclay, Senior Lecturer, Monash University, Australia
• Dr Leonie Boland, Clinical Specialist OT, HSE, Dublin, Ireland
• Dr Pauline Boland, Lecturer at University of Limerick, Republic of Ireland
• Terence Brown, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Derby
• Dr Helen Buchanan, Associate Professor and Head, Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Cape Town
• Dr Alice Cairns, Research Fellow, James Cook University
• Dr Josh Cameron, Principal Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Brighton
• Dr Daniel Marinho Cezar da Cruz, Private Practice
• Dr Yu-Wei Ryan Chen, Lecturer, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney
• Dr Sidney Chu, PhD, MSc(Health Psychology), BDADip(Dyslexia), PostGrad.Dip(Biomechanics), Prof.DipOT, OTR, Fellow, Royal College of Occupational Therapists (UK), Honorary Fellow, Brunel University London, Honorary Member, Sensory Integration Network - UK & Ireland
• Professor Teena Clouston, Cardiff University
• Dr Catriona Connell, Research Fellow, University of Stirling
• Dr Deirdre Cooke, Rehabilitation Coordinator / Occupational Therapist, Mater Private Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
• Franzina Coutinho, PhD, OT, Director Inspirium Holistic Center/ Affiliate member School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University
• Ms Christine Craik, Occupational Therapy Consultant, Independent Practice
• Dr Jane Cronin-Davis, Associate Professor/Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy, Deputy Dean for Students, The Centre for Allied Health, St George's, University of London
• Mariana D’Amico, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor, Nova Southeastern University-Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Florida, USA
• Mrs Sue Delport, Senior Lecturer, Professional Head, Cardiff University
• Ms Alison Double, Senior Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, University of Worcester
• Avril Drummond, Professor of Healthcare Research and occupational therapist, University of Nottingham
• Rita P. Fleming-Castaldy, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Professor Emeritus, The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA
• Miss Fiona Fraser BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc, FHEA, MRCOT, MOccTh (Hons) Programme Lead and Occupational Therapy Lecturer, University of Plymouth
• Emma L. Friesen, PhD, CPEng(Biomed), Clinical Director, Raz Design Inc.
• Nichola Gadsby, Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy, Coventry University
• Dr MaryBeth Gallagher, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH, Assistant Professor, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
• Dr Thais Pousada García, Professor of OT, University of A Coruña
• Dr James Gavin, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy / Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton
• Mrs Louise Gilbertson, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
• Dr Hortensia Gimeno, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Guy's and St Thomas NHS Trust
• Dr Mary Grant, Rehabilitation Case Manager, RTW Plus Ltd.
• Dr Emma Green, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Dr Nigel Gribble, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
• Professor Louise Gustafsson, Griffith University
• Dr Kate Hackett, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Northumbria University
• Dr David Haines, Principal Lecturer, University of Brighton
• Dr Michele Harrison, Research Fellow, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
• Dr Karen Hebert, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, University of South Dakota, South Dakota USA
• Dr Danielle Hitch, Allied Health Research & Translation Lead, Western Health, Melbourne, Australia
• Julie Hughes, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia
• Miss Melissa Jacobs, Occupational Therapy Lecturer, University of Plymouth
• Dr Kirstin Stuart James, Programme Lead MSc (pre-registration) Occupational Therapy, Edinburgh Napier University
• Lauren M. Little, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Rush University, Chicago, IL
• Professor Elizabeth A McKay, PhD, FRCOT, Occupational Therapy Head of AHP-SW, Edinburgh Napier University
• Mr Ian Merrick, Professional Lead for OT and Head of VRS, West London NHS Trust
• Mrs Sue Mesa, Senior Lecturer, York St John University
• Dr Sushmita Mohapatra, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Brunel University London
• Dr Karen Morris, Principal Lecturer (Rehabilitation & Sports Sciences), Institute of Health
• Dr Helen Myers, Trial Manager, Keele Clinical Trials Unit
• Dr Dawn M. Nilsen, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Associate Director, Programs in Occupational Therapy, Columbia University, New York
• Dr Miriam Noonan, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth
• Alisha Ohl, Ph.D., OT/L, Program Director and Chair, Clarkson University
• Dr Davina Parker, now retired but previously Head of Occupational Therapy, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
• Dr Freyr Patterson, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, The University of Queensland
• Dr Duncan Pentland, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
• Dr Catherine Purcell, Reader, Cardiff University
• Dr Carly Reagon, Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University
• Mr Kevin Reel, Senior Ethicist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
• Veronica T. Rowe, PhD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Georgia State University
• Dr. Renate Ruckser-Scherb, MSc, Senior Lecturer, Senior Researcher, University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria
• Sally Scott-Roberts, Independent occupational therapist and lecturer, Cardiff University
• Dr Panagiota Smyrni, Lecturer in Health Sciences, Brunel University London
• Dr Katie Thomson, Lecturer, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Miss Libby Thompson, Associate Head of Allied Health Professions: Quality, University of the West of England, Bristol.
• Dr Ailie Turton, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of the West of England, Bristol
• Anita Volkert, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Dr Alison Warren, Academic Lead for Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth
• Fiona Warrender, Independent Occupational Therapist, Council Member/Director, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, RCOT Board Chair; Scotland 
• Dr Steven William Whitcombe, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Cardiff University
• Samantha Whiting, Teaching & Research Associate in Occupational Therapy, University of Plymouth
• Dr Tim Xu Tianma, Assistant Professor, Singapore Institute of Technology
• Lynne Andonian
• Tammy Aplin
• Anita Atwal
• Mary Birken
• Tore Bonsaksen
• Sharon  Brintnell
• Dr Alice Cairns, Research Fellow, James Cook University
• Glenys Carlson
• Dr Kate D’Cruz, Senior Research Fellow & Adjunct , Summer Foundation; La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
• Denise Franzsen
• Dr Danielle Hitch, Allied Health Research & Translation Lead, Western Health, Melbourne Australia
• Hanne Kristensen
• Professor Elizabeth A McKay: PhD, FRCOT,Occupational Therapy,Head of AHP-SW,Edinburgh Napier University
• Jamie McNaught
• Hiromi Nakamura-Thomas
• Jennifer O'Brien
• Anna Pettican
• Mr Kevin Reel, Senior Ethicist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
• Linda Robertson
• Fiona Warrender, Fiona Warrender, Council Member and Chair, RCOT Board Scotland, Royal College of Occupational Therapist

Over 1,000 delegates, 100 presenters and a range of exhibitors joined us for the 2019 Annual Conference. You can read the highlights, watch the videos and listen to the podcast here.

In 2019/2020 we carried out a review of our Annual Conference. The insights gained from members’ feedback will help shape future events. Read more about the review and the findings.