Dr Michelle Perryman-Fox is a lecturer in the Occupational Therapy & Arts Therapies Division of ɬ.
- Overview
- Research Overview
- Teaching & Learning
- Activities & Awards
Michelle is an occupational therapist, researcher, and educator with over a decade of local (UK) and international experience. Michelle advocates for the health and well-being of the occupational therapist and recently completed her Ph.D. entitled " A Theory of Occupational Agency an International Investigation of Occupational Therapist Negotiations”, with the University of Cumbria and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (International Placement). Michelle believes we can aid policy change through education and research to develop innovative communities that prosper through health, well-being and belonging. Michelle’s career aim is to enable the occupational therapist “occupation” to project the voice of the client to be heard in the therapeutic process. The goal is to equip the profession with the theoretical and practical skill set to successfully adapt and transition to society's needs, aiming to facilitate culturally sensitive and sustainable therapy from a local, national and a international stance.
Affiliations (including memberships) to other organisations:
- Visiting Scholar University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists
- British Association of Occupational Therapists
- Health Care Professionals Council
Michelle has a wide range of experiences in qualitative research methodologies, with a particular interested in constructivist grounded theory. Her research interests are evident from her peer review publications and presentations to national and international audiences. In 2021, Michelle completed her PhD on " A theory of Occupational Agency an International Investigation of Occupational Therapist Negotiations”, with the University of Cumbria and the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee (International Placement). Michelle is working towards the post-doctoral publication of her research to permit the translation of the “Occupational Agency” concept into occupational therapy practice, education, and research.
Michelle supervises undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students on various topics using a wide range of methodologies.
Active research interests:
Occupational science and its application to occupational therapy theory and practice.
Negotiations of engagement in meaningful occupation.
Identifying the meaning of Occupational Therapists’ “occupation” and the implications upon the health and well-being of practitioners to enable the client’s voice within the therapeutic relationship.
The concept of occupational agency as a component of daily occupation and its contribution to engagement in occupation.
Research Methods:
Constructivist Grounded Theory
Focus groups and interviews
Thematic and content analysis
Narrative and Lived experience
Research Publications
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4462-2154
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=AJPWdy4AAAAJ
Michelle teaches across all levels of undergraduate and pre- and post-registration MSc in Occupational Therapy courses.
Michelle’s primary teaching areas include research methods, critical thinking, reflection and reflexive processes, therapeutic communication, clinical decision-making, assessment, intervention, occupational science, occupational theory and practice, and philosophy for inquiry.
University of Wisconsin (UWM) Honorary Assistant Professor, ROTOS Secretary, Senate Member, Divisional Ethics Panel and Committee, Divisional Program Committee
