/prod01/channel_2/media/uniofsuffolk/website/content-assets/images/studentsx2fstaff-on-campus/Students-outside-WF-Building-(3)-Dec-2021-Steve-Wright.jpg)
Professor Paula Kersten
Dean of Allied Health Sciences
- Phone
- +44 (0)1473 339095
- p.kersten@uos.ac.uk
- School/Directorate
- School of Allied Health Sciences
As Dean of Allied Health Sciences I lead a School which provides educational programmes in sport sciences, life sciences and allied health professions. Our programmes provide lots of opportunities for our students to gain hands on practice skills experience in our state-of-the-art simulation, sports and science labs. Our staff are enthusiastic about their subjects and dedicated to promoting a collegial, student-centred atmosphere and positive student learning experience. I am an active member of a range of external strategic and lobby groups, ensuring our voices are heard and we contribute to regional, national and international agendas.
My professional background is in physiotherapy, which I completed in the Netherlands. I undertook my MSc Rehabilitation and PhD at the University of Southampton. I achieved promotion to Professor in Rehabilitation in 2014 and Senior Fellowship status of Advance HE in 2021. Prior to joining the University of Suffolk in September 2024, I was Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care at Canterbury Christ Church University (2021-23), and Dean of the School of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Brighton (2015-2021). I have also held positions at Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand) and the University of Southampton.
As an academic for over 25 years, I have provided leadership to a wide range of nursing, allied health and sport programmes. I am passionate about evidence-informed curricula and teaching, widening participation and diversification of entry routes into universities such as apprenticeships. Equality, diversity and inclusion is central to my work in ensuring excellent student and staff experiences and belonging to the University.
My research focuses on measuring outcomes of care and new ways of working in rehabilitation. I have attracted funding from British and New Zealand (NZ) competitive streams and university investment sources. I have also provided consultancy, for example to the NZ Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), the NZ Ministry of Social Development and local healthcare providers. Recent research projects (with collaborators and/or students) include investigations into: first contact physiotherapy, peer mentoring after traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis fatigue intervention, outcomes after major traumatic injuries, goal setting in rehabilitation, developing clinical expertise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, predicting recurrent instability of the shoulder, and community integration. I have published over 100 peer reviewed papers. For recent publications please refer to my Google Scholar, ResearchGate or OARS profile
My experience in providing consultancy includes projects for the New Zealand (NZ) Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), the NZ Ministry of Social Development and local healthcare providers. I can provide consultancy in areas of healthcare, rehabilitation, outcome measurement and education.
Over the years, I have worked in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and New Zealand. I am a research collaborator with teams in a number of countries (e.g. Auckland University of Technology), review grant applications and research publications, have supervised international students and examined doctoral thesis for universities in a range of countries. In 2018 I was appointed as an external expert reviewer on New Zealand’s (NZ) PBRF Quality Evaluation Panel (akin to Research Excellence Framework in the UK), reviewing portfolios of health researchers based in NZ.
Member Council of Deans of Health
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Physiotherapist
Senior Fellow Advance HE