2023 OTA Research Foundation Grant

The OTA Research Foundation (OTARF) Grant aims to stimulate new research knowledge and support the career development and capacity of researchers, particularly emerging researchers. Congratulations to Catherine (Cate) Hilly, recipient of the 2023 OTARF Grant.

Cate is a PhD candidate at the Australian Catholic University, investigating the feasibility of the Cognitive

Orientation to daily Occupational Performance Approach (CO-OP) to improve occupational performance and participation for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and motor coordination difficulties, with Professor Elspeth Froude, Professor Peter Wilson, and Dr Barbara Lucas. Cate plans to dedicate her OTARF grant funding towards her doctoral research, and presentation of her findings at the next OTAUS conference.

The Occupational Therapy Trust Fund was established in 1974 and its trustees handed over mandate of the fund to OTA. The OT School of Victoria Grant is a national clinical award from this Trust, which aims to promote advancement in clinical practice by supporting OTA members to engage in clinical based projects or studies. Congratulations to Dr Tamara Tse, recipient of the 2023 award, who will fund her project ‘Measuring occupational therapy practice in acute and sub-acute inpatient healthcare settings’.

Dr Tse has a wealth of experience as an OT, having worked across acute care, sub-acute care, community rehabilitation, community health, management, academia and research areas. She is currently the Discipline Lead of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University. Her research revolves around understanding, measuring, and enhancing individuals’ engagement in meaningful activities. Through her valuable industry partnerships, Dr Tse actively collaborates on projects aimed at identifying, implementing and evaluating occupational therapy outcome measures.