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Karen Visser

Karen Visser

Teams and roles for Karen Visser

Overview

Research Interests

Neurological Rehabilitation for paediatric and adult population groups

Physical Activity

Participation Interventions and Outcomes

Health Promotion

Mixed Methods Research

My PhD Doctoral thesis was a Situational Analysis of Community Physical Activity Participation by Children and Young People with Neurological Disorders.

Publication

2024

2021

2019

2017

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Articles

Book sections

Conferences

Monographs

Thesis

Research

PhD Research: A situational analysis of physical activity participation for children and young people with neurological disorders.

Pedal Power: Does participation in adapted dynamic cycling affect lower limb muscle strength and length, activity levels, and quality of life for children and young people with Cerebral Palsy? This was a three-year (2009 -2011) collaborative research project investigating the effects of an adapted dynamic cycling participation intervention for children and young people with cerebral palsy. This project used both quantitative and qualitative methods.

A scoping project: Scoping for opportunities to develop rehabilitation research in Wales. September 2008 - June 2009. The Welsh Assembly Government funded this one-year collaborative research project.

A Pilot Study on the Effects of a Lower Limb Strengthening Home Exercise Programme for Children with Cerebral Palsy (2008) -   MSc Research: A single subject research design investigating the use of a strengthening home exercise programmes for children and young people with Cerebral Palsy - effects on strength, gait and spasticity investigated, as well concordance levels.

Teaching

I started work as a Lecturer at Cardiff University in September 2004 (part time 2004-2009, full time 2009-to date). I successfully completed a Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching in 2011. My teaching involves neurology, physiology, physiotherapy clinical skills and physiotherapy practice, research, and personal and professional development, on both Undergraduate (BSc) and Postgraduate Masters (MSc) Physiotherapy degree programmes.

I was the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Programme Manager from 2012-2016 and played a significant role in the accreditation and validation of a new Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Programme, implementation 2014. The new programme included Inter-professional Education (IPE) Modules in which I lead a large IPE module including six healthcare professions, 2015-2019.

I am committed to collaborative practices and producing skilled, caring and compassionate practitioners. As Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Wales Education Officer (2013-2017) I have contributed at a national level to debate on physiotherapy education and curriculum. My research and scholarship involving paediatric populations has informed the paediatric and health promotion topics within Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught modules. I am a member of the CSP, a member of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am a volunteer Trustee for the Cardiff Frame Running Dragons Club for children and adults. 

At first working part-time as a Lecturer, 2004-2009, I moved into full-time work as a Lecturer in September 2009. I obtained Academic Promotion to Senior Lecturer on a Teaching and Scholarship pathway in August 2018.

Biography

  • BSc Hons degree in Physiotherapy, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, 1989.
  • MSc in Physiotherapy, Cardiff University, 2008.
  • Post Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching, Cardiff University, 2011.
  • Practical Leadership for University Management award from the Institute of Leadership and Management, London, 2016
  • I am currently a Phd student and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University

I worked for over 18 years, 1989-2008, as a physiotherapist in a variety of contexts and countries and have experience in both orthopaedic and neurological rehabilitation. My research includes investigation of strengthening programmes for children with cerebral palsy, muscle length interventions and outcomes, and physical activity participation interventions and outcomes for children and young people with neurological disorders.

I am currently a Senior Lecturer on both the undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy degree programmes in the School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University.

I completed an MSc in Neurorehabilitation, Cardiff University, 2008 and a Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (PCUTL), Cardiff University, in 2011. I was the Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Programme Manager, 2012-2016 and completed a Practical Leadership for University Management award from the Institute of Leadership and Management in 2016. I was the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Wales Education Officer, 2013-2017. I am committed to on-going reflective practice in Learning and Teaching and combining scholarship with research. I am currently a part-time PhD student conducting a situational analysis of physical activity participation for children and young people with neurological disorders.

Contact Details

Email VisserKS@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29206 87692
Campuses Ty Dewi Sant, Floor 2nd, Room 2.16, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN