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Dr Karen Morris, PhD

  • Associate Professor (Occupational Therapy & Occupational Science)
  • Institute of Health
  • Health and Wellbeing
Dr Karen Morris, PhD

Biography

Karen joined the Occupational Therapy Team at the University in 2006 as a senior lecturer. In 2015, Karen became a Principal Lecturer for Rehabilitation in the Institute of Health, coordinating the work of the physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams. Between May and Septemebr 2021, Karen was seconded to a HEE project developing Simulation Projects for Health students. Karen was conferred as an Associate Professor in 2021, working with both the Health Simulation team and Rehabilitation Team.  In addition to this, Karen works with doctoral researchers, mentors academic colleagues  and supports a number of external projects. 

Karen started her lecturing career in 1999. Prior to joining the University of Cumbria, Karen was a senior lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent and also worked part time in a Regional Secure Mental Health Unit.

Qualifications and memberships

PhD Occupational Therapy

Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy

HCPC registered occupational therapist

Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Academic and research interests

Occupational science

Forensic mental health

Activity and occupational analysis

Qualitative research methods

I have supervised 3 PhDs to completion

Current research students (lead supervisor):

  • David McPartlan: mental health in schools
  • Alyce Carter: Escapism in Prison 
  • William Stephenson: The use and effectiveness of mindfulness in Health and Wellbeing Coaching 

Publications

Recent Related Public output (last 5 years)

Book Chapter

Morris K (2021) “Chapter 13: Occupational Engagement in Forensic Settings: Exploring the Occupational Experiences of Men Living within a Forensic Mental Health Unit”. In Twinley R (ed) Illuminating The Dark Side of Occupation: International Perspectives from Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science (pp 122-129). ISBN 9780367218140, 9780429266256

Peer Review Journals

McCanney J, Taylor J, Morris K (2022) “Professionalising the Police Pragmatically”, Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles 0(0). DOI: 10.1177/0032258X221128401

Morris K, Reid G, Spencer S (2018). “Occupational therapy delivered by specialists versus non-specialists for people with schizophrenia” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012398.pub2.

Morris K, Ward, K. (2018). “The implementation of a new conceptual framework for occupational engagement in forensic settings: feasibility and application to occupational therapy practice”, Mental Health Review Journal. 23(4), pp.308-319, DOI: 0.1108/MHRJ-03-2018-0007.

Hampson C, Morris K (2018). “Research into the Experience of Dementia: Methodological and Ethical Challenges”, Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 1(1), pp15-19.

Wallcook S, Morris K (2017). “Supporting Digital Health and Digital Inclusion: An Occupational Therapy Perspective”, The Journal of Corporate Citizenship DOI: 10.9774/T&F.4700.2017.de.00008.

Howarth J, Morris K and Cox D (2017) “Challenges of teaching occupation: introduction of an occupation focused teaching tool”, Journal of Occupational Science. Accepted 24 October 2017. Published online 12 November 2017. DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2017.1397535.

Hampson C, Morris K (2017). “Short communication: Research into the experience of dementia: methodological and ethical challenges”. Open Access Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 1(4),  DOI: OAJGGM.MS.ID.555568.

Morris K, Smyth G (2017). “A Survey of Research Capacity and Partnerships Among Mental Health Occupational Therapists in the United Kingdom”. Mental Health Review Journal, 22 (2), pp136-147, DOI: 10.1108/MHRJ-12-2016-0024.

Morris K, Cox D (2017). “Developing a descriptive framework for “Occupational Engagement””. Journal of Occupational Science, DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2017.1319292.

Conference Presentations

Morris K, MacLeod R (2022) “Co-production of an occupational therapy research funding application with patients living in a secure mental health setting” Invited Speaker. NIHR ARC(NENC) Inequalities Theme Event, 23rd November 2022.

Morris K (2022) AHP away day. Invited speaker/leader. Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, 28th September 2022.

Aubrey C, Morris K, Drude F (2022) “The impact of experiencing a placement in the Health Simulation Team at a HEI: Student perspectives” Poster Presentation. 8th International Nurse Education Conference (NETNEP 2022), 19-22 October 2022, Sitges, Spain

Aubrey C, Morris K, Drude F (2022) “Project and research placements within a Simulation team at an HEI: Reflections and recommendations” Presentation. Networking for Education in Healthcare Conference, 6-7 September 2022, Lancaster.

Aubrey C, Morris K, Drude F (2022) “The experience of design and delivery of simulated activity in the field of health at an HEI: Reflections and recommendations” Presentation. Networking for Education in Healthcare Conference, 6-7 September 2022, Lancaster.

Aubrey C, Morris K, Drude F (2022) “Using simulated placements to promote inclusive practices: An HEI faculty’s experience of delivery” Presentation. Networking for Education in Healthcare Conference, 6-7 September 2022, Lancaster.

Morris K, Perryman-Fox M (2022) "Sustaining an international research mentor relationship for a decade – hints and tips" Presentation. World Federation of Occupational Therapists congress, 28-31 August 2022, Paris, France.

Perryman-Fox M, Morris K, Cox D, Stoffel V (2022) "A theory of Occupational Agency: An international investigation of occupational therapists’ negotiations" Presentation. World Federation of Occupational Therapists congress, 28-31 August 2022, Paris, France.

Perryman-Fox M, Cox D, Morris K, Stoffel V (2022) "The occupation of the occupational therapy practitioner: Channelling cultural humility through reflection and reflexive practices" Poster. World Federation of Occupational Therapists congress, 28-31 August 2022, Paris, France.

Morris K (2021) RCOT new Accreditor training day. Invited speaker. Royal College of Occupational Therapists, 10th November 2021.

Morris K (2021) “What’s the point of defining terminology? Using ‘occupational engagement’ as an example” Invited speaker. Queen Margaret University, Scotland, 8th November 2021.

Morris K & Wolfendale V (2021) “Putting together a research proposal and the practical application in Occupational Therapy practice: case study of the Post COVID-19 Functional Assessment tool”. Invited Speaker.  RCOT Specialist Section Learning Disabilities Annual Conference, 15th September 2021.

Morris K (2020) “Writing a research proposal workshop” Invited speaker. Mental Health Occupational Therapy Interventions & Outcomes Research Network (MOTION) and Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMCA) Foundation joint research day. 4th November 2020. International event. 

Perryman M, Stoffel G, Morris K (2019) “Cultural Humility: From Power Imbalance to Mutuality and Intentional Respect; Promoting Culturally Relevant Occupation Focussed Client Centred Practice” Workshop.  2018 AOTA Annual Conference, 4-7 April 2019 New Orleans, USA.

Perryman M, Morris K, Cox D, Stoffel G, Taylor J (2019) “The Concept of Performance Profiling and the External Influences upon the Occupational Therapists’ Identity and Reasoning” Poster. Royal College of Occupational Therapists 43rd Annual Conferences and Exhibition, 17-18 June 2019.

Perryman M, Morris K (2018). “Occupational Therapists Perspectives on the Potential Use of Performance Profiling in Occupational Therapy Practice” Poster. 2018 Occupational Science & Technology Research Lectureship, 14 December 2018, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Mowat B, Morris K (2018). “How Subjective Experience Affects Individual Interpretation of Meaningful Leisure Occupation” Poster. Royal College of Occupational Therapists 42nd Annual Conferences and Exhibition, 11-13 June 2018.

Perryman M, Morris K (2018). “Occupational Therapists Perspectives on the Potential Use of Performance Profiling in Occupational Therapy Practice” Poster. 2018 AOTA Annual Conference, 19-22 April 2018, Salt Lake City, USA.

Inman J, Birkin M, Smyth G, Morris K (2018). “Effectiveness of occupational therapy mental health interventions: advancing research to develop the evidence base”, Poster. 17th WFOT Congress, 21-25 May 2018, Cape Town, South Africa.

Inman J, Morris K (2017). “Be a flamingo in a world of pigeons” Workshop. Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section Mental Health Conference, 14-15 September 2017.

Quinn P, Morris K (2017). “Interprofessional Education on Placement: the Views and Experiences of Postgraduate (Pre-registration) Occupational Therapy Students’” Poster. Royal College of Occupational Therapists 41st Annual Conferences and Exhibition, 19-20 June 2017.

Morris K, Smyth G (2017). “Lessons from a 10-Year national mental health strategy for occupational therapy – Time for an International mental health strategy?” Poster. 2017 AOTA Annual Conference & Centennial Celebration, 1st April 2017.

Morris K (2017). “Research inspirations”. Host: #OTalk Research – Tuesday 7th March 2017 (available at: https://embed.symplur.com/twitter/transcript?hashtag=OTalk&fdate=03-07-2017&shour=12&smin=00&tdate=03-07-2017&thour=13&tmin=15)

 

Recent external roles

External examiner (taught programmes and PhD)

Cumbria & Lancashire CAHPR research hub steering group member

Royal College of Occupational Therapists Northern & Yorkshire Region - Secretary

NCIC AHP research forum - chair

Peer Reviewing

  • Journal of Occupational Science
  • Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology
  • American Journal of Occupational Therapy
  • British Journal of Occupational Therapy
  • Journal of Integrated Care