Steering Group
Laura Di Bona (current group chair)
Jennifer Read
Becky Field
Laura Evans
Dr Colette Fegan
Dr Sally Fowler-Davis
Nat Jones
Tom Davis
Organisations of Steering group members:
- University of Sheffield
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
We are a group of occupational therapists based in different organisations in and around Sheffield.
Occupational therapists have expertise in enabling people to increase their participation in activities (occupations) to improve their quality of life, mental and physical health. As a group we have expertise in applying this knowledge in hospital and community settings to improve the lives of people of all ages with mental and physical health conditions or disabilities. We also have experience of carrying out research and service improvement activities. Whilst based in and around Sheffield, many of us work more widely across the country and occasionally internationally.
What is the aim of Sheffield Occupational Therapy Clinical Academics (SOTCA)?
SOTCA aims to improve outcomes and experiences for service users of a diverse range of occupational therapy services in and around Sheffield. We hope to achieve this by providing peer support to occupational therapists trying to improve practice and by forming cross-organisational collaborations to share and advance knowledge.
Projects Our Group Has Been Involved In
- We are a partner organisation in setting the research agenda for occupational therapists. This piece of work is being led by the James Lind Alliance and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists https://www.rcot.
co.uk/setting-research-agenda- occupational-therapy - We provided an example to encourage occupational therapists to participate in the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Small Change Big Impact Campaign https://www.rcot.co.
uk/node/2443 - We wrote a journal article entitled ” Weaving a clinical academic career” http://journals.
sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/ 0308022618784258 - We are involved in the Collaboration aiming to build occupational therapy research(CABOT) http://www.catch.org.uk/
current-project/cabot/ - Our work is referenced in the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Research and Development strategy https://www.rcot.co.
uk/node/2421
How can I become involved?
Sheffield Occupational Therapy Clinical Academics (SOTCA) is open to any occupational therapist who shares our aims, whether you are a student, newly qualified, highly experienced, retired or anything in between. To find out more:
- Follow us on twitter @SheffOTCA
- Come to our informal meetings and share what you are up to.
- Register for newsletters and event updates w our with the SOTCA mail chimp mailing list:
If you are not an occupational therapist but would like to collaborate with us, please email us and we will try to direct you to the most appropriate person.