Rate My Professor Kim Walder

Dr. Kim Walder serves as a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy in the School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work at Griffith University, where she has been appointed since 2016. She possesses qualifications including a PhD, Master of Medical Research (MMedRes), Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOccThy), and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). With more than 40 years of professional experience as an occupational therapist in varied clinical and organisational environments, Walder has made significant contributions to occupational therapy education, research, and practice. Her transition to academia builds on her extensive practical background, enabling her to mentor students and supervise higher degree research.

Walder's academic interests center on occupational adaptation, professional identity in occupational therapy, client-centred practice post-stroke, co-creation processes in stroke rehabilitation, self-management support during inpatient stroke care, tourism experiences for individuals with spinal cord injuries, and the incorporation of lived experience expertise in health professional education. Notable publications include 'Occupational adaptation and identity reconstruction: a grounded theory synthesis of qualitative studies exploring adults’ experiences of adjustment to chronic disease, major illness or injury' (2017), 'Understanding professional identity in occupational therapy: A scoping review' (2022), 'Occupational adaptation–analyzing the maturity and understanding of the concept through concept analysis' (2021), 'Re-establishing an occupational identity after stroke–a theoretical model based on survivor experience' (2017), 'Co-creation and stroke rehabilitation: a scoping review' (2023), 'Listening to the client voice–A constructivist grounded theory study of the experiences of client-centred practice after stroke' (2020), 'Mental health consumer involvement in occupational therapy education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand' (2020), and 'Key occupational concepts: Occupational engagement, occupational balance, occupational adaptation, and participation' (2024). These works demonstrate her impact through high citation rates in occupational therapy literature. She has participated in research teams investigating life after stroke on the Gold Coast and social access and inclusion for people with disabilities in leisure settings.

In teaching, Walder convenes courses like Occupation, Health and Participation - Individuals (3313AHS) and Dissertation (6301AHS). Professionally, she held the position of Chair for the Queensland Division of Occupational Therapy Australia. Her scholarly activities advance understanding and application of occupational therapy principles in rehabilitation and identity reconstruction.