About
Michèle Verdonck, Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy, BSc (Wits), BSc Occupational Therapy (Hons), PhD (University of Ireland), research interests focus on technology-enabled homes including mainstream, smart technologies and assistive technologies. She has a strong interest in the use of technology in meaningful occupations, disability and teaching.
Research areas
- technology-enabled homes - NIISQ, $156,240.00
- smart technology
- assistive technology
- mainstream technology
- occupational therapists' use of technology
- environmental control systems/ units
- spinal cord injury and neurological conditions
- parasport and adaptive/disabled sport and reverse integration
Funding
- 2024-2026, Verdonck (Principal investigator), Ripat, Dermody, Kean, Merollini & Fowler, Technology Enabled Homes for People with Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury; Funded by The National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland, NIISQ. $156,240
- 2022, Verdonck (Co-chief investigator), Scheepers, Stafford, Davies, Von Deest, Chilman, Youth Engagement in Sustainability, YES: Cultivating occupational therapy students’ research competency. Funded by Department of Environment and Science QLD. $20,000
- 2018-2021, Oprescu, Verdonck, & Gray. Evaluation of a community awareness and capacity building project. Funded by Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Association $6,000
- 2015-2019, Oprescu, Verdonck (co-lead researcher), Kean, & Gray. Establishment and progressive refinement of a high-performance Paralympic student-athlete program at an Australian University: A participatory action research project. Funded by Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Centre of Excellence for Applied Sport Science Research & Basketball Australia. $219,000
- 2007-2012, Verdonck, The meaning of environmental controls systems for people with spinal cord injury: An occupational therapist explores an intervention. Funded by Research Fellowship for the Clinical Therapies, Health Research Board, Ireland €256,528/ AUS $323,293
Michèle was awarded a PhD in 2013 from the University College Cork, Ireland having received a Health Research Board of Ireland doctoral fellowship. This allowed her to explore the experience of using environmental control systems for people with spinal cord injury. Michele’s research collaborators include The University of Manitoba(Canada), The University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), the University of Limerick, (Ireland); the University of Sydney; James Cook University; The National Rehabilitation Hospital (Ireland); Queensland Health Spinal Outreach Team. Michele is on the board of directors of the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association.
Michele has worked as an occupational therapist at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in Dublin Ireland, at Natalspruit Hospital in Khatlehong, South Africa and in private practice. She was the Discipline Lead of Occupational Therapy, UniSC 2020-2022.
Professional memberships
- ARATA, Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association
- Occupational Therapy Australia
Expert Media Commentary
Michèle's specialist areas of expertise include the use of technologies in meaningful occupation, supporting occupational therapists in the use of mainstream technologies in everyday clinical practice, assistive technology, occupational therapy