Michelle Villeneuve

Professor Michelle Villeneuve (PhD, MSc, BSc OT) serves as Deputy Director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. She holds the position of Associate Professor in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy at the Sydney School of Health Sciences. Prior to joining the University of Sydney in 2013, she was Associate Professor at Queen’s University School of Rehabilitation Therapy in Kingston, Canada, from 2001 to 2013, and maintains an honorary adjunct position there. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Master of Science, and PhD, with early career experience as an occupational therapist in schools focusing on school-based occupational therapy collaborative consultation. Villeneuve leads the Disability-Inclusive Community Development work stream at the Centre, emphasizing collaborative practices informed by activity theory and Developmental Work Research methodologies. She also serves as an Activity Lead at the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Strengthening Rehabilitation Capacity in Health Systems.

Villeneuve's research specializations encompass disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DIDRR), emergency preparedness and capabilities for people with disabilities, social participation and inclusive education for students with disabilities, risky play for children with disabilities, and well-being services for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Her scholarship has advanced understanding of collaborative care in educational settings, including direct, indirect interventions, and consultation approaches to support student outcomes. Key publications include 'Disaster Preparedness, Capabilities, and Support Needs: The Lived Experience Perspectives of People with Disability' (2023), 'Exposure to risk and experiences of river flooding for people with disability and carers in rural Australia: a cross-sectional survey' (2022), 'A cross-sectional survey of Australian service providers’ emergency preparedness capabilities' (2023), 'Learning together for effective collaboration in school-based occupational therapy practice' (2012, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy), and 'Enabling outcomes for students with developmental disabilities through collaborative consultation' (2012, The Qualitative Report). She has secured funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC Grant 752-2007-0270) and received the School of Rehabilitation Therapy Distinguished Alumni Award from Queen’s University. Her work influences policy and practice through knowledge translation, community capacity building, and partnerships with governments, organizations, and lived-experience leaders to promote inclusion and reduce disadvantage for people with disabilities in Australia and globally.

Professional Email: michelle.villeneuve@sydney.edu.au