Dr Michelle Kersten

Michelle is an occupational therapist with specific expertise in health and life transitions for people with complex health problems and disabilities. She seeks to not only identify problems, but to seek innovative ways of providing client centred solutions. Michelle's extensive clinical experience spans hospital and community settings in service provision, management and clinical education. Michelle’s has taught in several undergraduate programs, including occupational therapy and nursing.    

Michelle has diverse research interests, all centred on supporting people with complex health issues and disabilities to thrive in their homes and communities.

Michelle’s interests in helping people to participate in the community have included research projects to support nurses to care for people with intellectual disability and autism; supporting autistic learner drivers; and using inclusive research approaches. Michelle’s PhD research used focused ethnography and inclusive research methodologies to explore the community mobility experiences of autistic youth, and the experiences of mothers helping develop these skills.

Michelle is interested in further exploring support for parents of autistic youth; and the impacts of early bullying for community participation in adulthood, using inclusive research approaches.  Michelle is currently working on research to help people with complex health care issues with pressure injury prevention and intervention, to support home and community participation.

Michelle’s mission is to empower people living with complex health problems and disabilities to survive, adapt and thrive in their homes and communities, and to champion clinician’s skills to support them.