Our people

Our team members bring a diversity of perspectives to our research including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, health psychology, critical health psychology, Māori health, sociology, medical anthropology, nursing, outcome measurement and psychometrics.

Professor<br />Nicola Kayes
Professor
Nicola Kayes
Co-Director

Kia Ora. Nō Tairawhiti ahau. My background is in Health Psychology. I am passionate about applying that knowledge to support practice advance in rehabilitation and improve outcomes that matter to people.

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Associate Professor Joanna Fadyl
Associate Professor Joanna Fadyl
Co-Director

Tēnā koe. My family and I live in West Auckland near the Waitākere ranges and Mānukau Harbour. My research includes investigating work-ability and vocational rehabilitation, and exploring how post-structural methodologies can open up opportunities to address challenges.

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Greta Smith
Greta Smith
Programme manager

Kia ora. I came to NZ from the UK 20 odd years ago and my small family now call Auckland home. I love working with our team of dedicated people helping to transform research ideas into reality.

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Associate Professor Felicity Bright
Associate Professor Felicity Bright
Co-creating Health and Engagement theme lead

Kia ora, I am a speech language therapist, rehabilitation researcher and mum of three. Through my work, I hope to help clinicians enhance their work with patients so that patients have the best possible rehabilitation experiences and outcomes.

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Associate Professor Daniel Sutton
Associate Professor Daniel Sutton
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Cluster lead

Kia ora koutou. I am an occupational therapist with a passion for supporting mental wellbeing in individuals and communities. My research has focused on living well through meaningful activities, sensory strategies and social inclusion

Professor<br />Richard Siegert
Professor
Richard Siegert
Outcome Measurement Cluster lead

Kia Ora. Malo e lelei. Ni hao. I have a background in clinical psychology. My research interests include goal setting and measuring progress in rehabilitation, depression and inflammation in young Pacific adults and prolonged disorders of consciousness.

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Associate Professor<br />Chris Krägeloh
Associate Professor
Chris Krägeloh
Outcome Measurement Cluster lead

Kia ora, Guten Tag, สวัสดีครับ. I have an international background but call New Zealand my home now. My research is in psychology, quality of life, outcome measurement, and mindfulness.

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Dr Caroline Stretton
Dr Caroline Stretton
Member

Kia ora. I am a 5th generation Pakeha New Zealander. My background is in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. I am passionate about developing innovative approaches that support health and wellbeing for people with long-term conditions.

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Christine Cummins
Christine Cummins
Member

Kia ora. I have a sociological imagination and feel at home as a member of this research team particularly because of the values and passion that drives the work we do.

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Kate Waterworth
Kate Waterworth
Member

Tēnā koe. I have lived in Auckland for a number of years after growing up in Dunedin and spending a lot of time travelling. I work in the Physiotherapy teaching team and have a particular interest in critical disability studies and postqualitative methodologies.

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Dr Sandy Rutherford
Dr Sandy Rutherford
Member

Kia ora, I grew up in Whangarei and moved to Auckland after working abroad.  I am an occupational therapist and am interested in how people live well with long term conditions and applying ecological theories in rehabilitation.

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Claire Ibell-Roberts
Claire Ibell-Roberts
Member

Tēnā koe. I am from Christchurch, and lived in Australia and the Pacific before moving to Auckland. My background is in physiotherapy and rehabilitation system strengthening. I am passionate about health equity and interested in how we can provide more inclusive, culturally appropriate healthcare here in Aotearoa.

Dr Suzie Mudge
Dr Suzie Mudge
Member

I’m a physiotherapist who brings a clinical perspective to research and a researcher that tries to implement new ways of working into clinical practice. My research focuses on how to help clinicians make changes in their practice.

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Dr Verna Stavric
Dr Verna Stavric
Member

I am a physiotherapist and came to NZ Canada over 25 years ago. I am part of the teaching team in the physiotherapy programme and have research interests that include making rehabilitation more accessible and engaging.

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Jan Dewar
Jan Dewar
Member
Tēnā kotou katoa, Ko Ngāi Tahu ahau.  I am the clinical lead and a lecturer in the Nursing Department.  I have a background in professional nursing leadership, monitoring of health standards and clinical practice.  My research has a focus on healthcare standards and Kaupapa Māori methodologies, aimed at improving health experience and outcomes for Māori.
Dr Alana McCambridge
Dr Alana McCambridge
Member

Kia orana and talofa, my background is in exercise science and neurorehabilitation. I am interested in achieving equitable rehabilitation outcomes and experiences for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Dr Debbie Bean
Dr Debbie Bean
Member

Tēnā koe. Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau. I am a health psychologist and researcher with a focus on chronic pain. My research explores contextual influences on chronic pain, equity in pain management and supporting quality clinical care for people with pain.

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Tammi Wilson Uluinayau
Tammi Wilson Uluinayau
Member

Kia ora, he uri tēnei no Te Hiku o Te Ika. Ko Te Rarawa te iwi.

I have a background in teaching and physiotherapy. Currently, I am the kaihautū – academic lead for Māori student success, focusing on supporting the academic aspirations of ākonga Māori within our faculty. My research also prioritises this kaupapa.

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Research collaborators

Our team is working with research associates and other collaborators within and outside of AUT.

Research collaborators

Our students

Students and graduates are contributing to our research.

Our students