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Outputs (52)

Blurry Lines: Reflections on “Insider” Research (2023)
Journal Article
Yvonne Bulk, L., & Collins, B. (in press). Blurry Lines: Reflections on “Insider” Research. Qualitative Inquiry, https://doi.org/10.1177/10778004231188048

Insider research poses a range of benefits and challenges for researchers and the communities being researched. It is commonly advocated for disability research but there is limited work exploring disabled researchers’ experiences. Influenced by auto... Read More about Blurry Lines: Reflections on “Insider” Research.

Effective communication: core to promoting respectful maternity care for disabled women (2022)
Journal Article
Collins, B., Hall, J., Hundley, V., & Ireland, J. (2022). Effective communication: core to promoting respectful maternity care for disabled women. Midwifery, 116, 103525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103525

Previous research highlights that disabled women have less choice, control and respect of their dignity during pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. The experience of dignity and respect during pregnancy and childbirth for those with physical and sens... Read More about Effective communication: core to promoting respectful maternity care for disabled women.

Situating the evidence for impact of outreach strategies : a systematic review for improving access to higher education (2020)
Journal Article
Heaslip, V., Hutchings, M., Collins, B., Crowley, E., Eccles, S., Hunt, C., …Wardrop, A. (2020). Situating the evidence for impact of outreach strategies : a systematic review for improving access to higher education. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 22(1), 25-54. https://doi.org/10.5456/WPLL.22.1.25

Efforts to widen participation into higher education (HE) are having an impact with increasing numbers of diverse students accessing HE. Outreach is a key strategy within widening participation (WP), yet there has been little peer reviewed, published... Read More about Situating the evidence for impact of outreach strategies : a systematic review for improving access to higher education.

Disabled people's voices on sexual well-being (2019)
Journal Article
Lee, S., Fenge, L., & Collins, B. (2020). Disabled people's voices on sexual well-being. Disability and Society, 35(2), 303-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2019.1634522

Disabled people have equal rights to positive sexual wellbeing including sexual citizenship; however, this may not always be experienced and support for sexual well-being is less likely to form part of services offered by professionals in health and... Read More about Disabled people's voices on sexual well-being.

Asking the right questions : opportunities and challenges of survey methods in widening participation research (2018)
Journal Article
Collins, B., Hunt, C., Wardrop, A., Gauntlett, E., Heaslip, V., Hutchings, M., & Pritchard, C. (2018). Asking the right questions : opportunities and challenges of survey methods in widening participation research. International studies in widening participation (Online), 5(2), 55-69

The development of an institution-wide survey at one English university raised questions for the researchers in relation to how to ask students about their background. The survey was to focus future widening participation (WP) practice. A detailed it... Read More about Asking the right questions : opportunities and challenges of survey methods in widening participation research.

Dignity and respect during pregnancy and childbirth : a survey of the experience of disabled women (2018)
Journal Article
Hall, J., Hundley, V., Collins, B., & Ireland, J. (2018). Dignity and respect during pregnancy and childbirth : a survey of the experience of disabled women. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18(1), 328. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-1950-7

Background Despite the increasing number of women with disability globally becoming pregnant, there is currently limited research about their experiences. A national survey of women’s experience of dignity and respect during pregnancy and childbirth... Read More about Dignity and respect during pregnancy and childbirth : a survey of the experience of disabled women.

Promoting sexual well-being in social work education and practice (2017)
Journal Article
Lee, S., Fenge, L., & Collins, B. (2018). Promoting sexual well-being in social work education and practice. Social Work Education, 37(3), 315-327. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2017.1401602

This paper explores the importance of including sexual well-being within social work practice and education. Social workers often work with individuals for whom opportunities for sexual expression are limited and who face discriminatory attitudes. Se... Read More about Promoting sexual well-being in social work education and practice.

First- and second- generation design and engineering students : experience, attainment and factors influencing them to attend university (2017)
Journal Article
Hunt, C., Collins, B., Wardrop, A., Hutchings, M., Heaslip, V., & Pritchard, C. (2018). First- and second- generation design and engineering students : experience, attainment and factors influencing them to attend university. Higher Education Research and Development, 37(1), 30-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1342607

Challenges for students who are ?first in family? to attend university have been discussed within widening participation discourse. However, in the UK, ?first in family? or first-generation students have frequently been conflated with those experienc... Read More about First- and second- generation design and engineering students : experience, attainment and factors influencing them to attend university.

Interpretative phenomenological analysis : a means of exploring aspiration and resilience amongst widening participation students (2017)
Journal Article
Gauntlett, L., Bickle, E., Thomas, G., Collins, B., Heaslip, V., & Eccles, S. (2017). Interpretative phenomenological analysis : a means of exploring aspiration and resilience amongst widening participation students. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 19(2), 63-86. https://doi.org/10.5456/WPLL.19.2.63

As the Office for Fair Access and the Higher Education Funding Council for England priorities now extend across widened access to success, both the aspirations of young people from widening participation (WP) backgrounds and their existing or develop... Read More about Interpretative phenomenological analysis : a means of exploring aspiration and resilience amongst widening participation students.

Independence : proposing an initial framework for occupational therapy (2017)
Journal Article
Collins, B. (2017). Independence : proposing an initial framework for occupational therapy. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 24(6), 398-409. https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2016.1271011

Background: The concept of independence is common in occupational therapy theory and practice but has rarely been clearly defined or conceptualized within in occupational therapy literature and there seems to be no standard definition. This can resul... Read More about Independence : proposing an initial framework for occupational therapy.

Troubling ideas for widening participation : how higher education institutions in England engage with research in their access agreements (2016)
Journal Article
Wardrop, A., Hutchings, M., Collins, B., Eccles, S., Heaslip, V., Hunt, C., & Pritchard, C. (2016). Troubling ideas for widening participation : how higher education institutions in England engage with research in their access agreements. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 18(2), 84-110. https://doi.org/10.5456/wpll.18.2.84

This article explores how higher education institutions in England engage with research in their access agreements. Through an analysis of access agreements from 2014-15 to 2016-17, a picture of how research is understood, undertaken and documented e... Read More about Troubling ideas for widening participation : how higher education institutions in England engage with research in their access agreements.

Reflections on doctoral supervision : drawing from the experiences of students with additional learning needs in two universities (2015)
Journal Article
Collins, B. (2015). Reflections on doctoral supervision : drawing from the experiences of students with additional learning needs in two universities. Teaching in Higher Education, 20(6), 587-600. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2015.1045859

Supervision is an essential part of doctoral study, consisting of relationship and process aspects, underpinned by a range of values. To date there has been limited research specifically about disabled doctoral students’ experiences of supervision. T... Read More about Reflections on doctoral supervision : drawing from the experiences of students with additional learning needs in two universities.

How should occupational therapy respond to widening participation strategy? (2015)
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B. (2015, June). How should occupational therapy respond to widening participation strategy?. Poster presented at College of Occupational Therapists 39th Annual Conference & Exhibition and Specialist Section – Work Annual Conference, Brighton, United Kingdom

In August 2014, Health Education England (HEE) (who commission occupational therapy education in England) presented “Widening Participation: It Matters” for consultation. The strategy document sets out targets to attract and retain students from... Read More about How should occupational therapy respond to widening participation strategy?.

Inclusive education in occupational therapy : how could we make a difference? (2015)
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B. (2015, June). Inclusive education in occupational therapy : how could we make a difference?. Poster presented at College of Occupational Therapists 39th Annual Conference & Exhibition and Specialist Section – Work Annual Conference, Brighton, United Kingdom

Occupational therapy has long articulated a commitment to social justice (e.g. Townsend 1993). Social justice is also key throughout inclusive education literature (Hockings 2010). Likewise, cultural awareness and competence are core to both occu... Read More about Inclusive education in occupational therapy : how could we make a difference?.

Physically disabled adults’ perceptions of personal autonomy (2015)
Journal Article
Collins, B., & O’Mahony, P. (2015). Physically disabled adults’ perceptions of personal autonomy. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 35(3), 160-168. https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449215575264

Despite the prominence of the concept of autonomy in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities and within disability theory, the relevance of autonomy to occupational engagement is unclear. Using a qualitative, narrative approach,... Read More about Physically disabled adults’ perceptions of personal autonomy.

Universal design for learning : what occupational therapy can contribute (2014)
Journal Article
Collins, B. (2014). Universal design for learning : what occupational therapy can contribute. Occupational therapy now, 16(5), 22 - 23

As an occupational therapist supporting disabled students1 in higher education, I frequently came across barriers that impacted on students’ ability to succeed in university. I recognised that many issues were due to an inaccessible educational e... Read More about Universal design for learning : what occupational therapy can contribute.

“My view that disability is okay sometimes clashes” : experiences of two disabled occupational therapists (2013)
Journal Article
Chacala, A., Mccormack, C., Collins, B., & Beagan, B. (2014). “My view that disability is okay sometimes clashes” : experiences of two disabled occupational therapists. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 21(2), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.3109/11038128.2013.861016

Aims: While disability is the focus of much attention in occupational therapy, there has been little attention paid to disability within the profession. Disabled therapists not only bring valuable perspectives on disability, but also pose important c... Read More about “My view that disability is okay sometimes clashes” : experiences of two disabled occupational therapists.

Chapter 17 : Lighting (2013)
Book Chapter
Collins, B. (2013). Chapter 17 : Lighting. In AOTI Housing Design Guidelines for Occupational Therapists (2nd ed.). Dublin: The Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI)

The affirmative model of disability : a means to include disability orientation in occupational therapy? (2012)
Journal Article
McCormack, C., & Collins, B. (2012). The affirmative model of disability : a means to include disability orientation in occupational therapy?. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(3), 156-158. https://doi.org/10.4276/030802212X13311219571909

Disability orientation is a missing concept in occupational therapy. Disability orientation describes a person's interpretation of his or her disability experience and his or her perceptions of the meaning of being disabled. One orientation is that o... Read More about The affirmative model of disability : a means to include disability orientation in occupational therapy?.

Can disability studies contribute to client-centred occupational therapy practice? (2010)
Journal Article
McCormack, C., & Collins, B. (2010). Can disability studies contribute to client-centred occupational therapy practice?. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(7), 339-342. https://doi.org/10.4276/030802210X12785840213328

Occupational therapists frequently cite a ‘client-centred’ approach as a fundamental aspect of their practice. However, there are many examples in the narratives of disabled people that suggest that the health and social care services they experience... Read More about Can disability studies contribute to client-centred occupational therapy practice?.

The meaning of the experience of sea kayaking for persons with spinal cord injury (2009)
Journal Article
Collins, B., O'Broin, D., & Casey, N. (2009). The meaning of the experience of sea kayaking for persons with spinal cord injury. ˜The œIrish journal of occupational therapy, 37(2), 29-36

Engagement in meaningful activity is at the core of occupational therapy; when a person sustains a spinal cord injury (SCI), access to leisure activities that once had meaning may become limited. This study aims to gain an insider?s perspective on th... Read More about The meaning of the experience of sea kayaking for persons with spinal cord injury.

Lighting (2007)
Book Chapter
Collins, B. (2007). Lighting. In Housing design guidelines for occupational therapists. Dublin: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

Occupational performance outside the hospital for long-stay residents under 65 years of age : how residents rate their satisfaction and the factors they perceive to affect occupational performance (2002)
Journal Article
Collins, B., & Leonard, C. (2002). Occupational performance outside the hospital for long-stay residents under 65 years of age : how residents rate their satisfaction and the factors they perceive to affect occupational performance. ˜The œIrish journal of occupational therapy, 32(1), 10-14

Perceiving Success? : an investigation of disabled students' and academic staffs' perceptions of the factors that hinder a disabled student's occupational performance in Trinity College, Dublin (2001)
Journal Article
Collins, B., & O Mahony, P. (2001). Perceiving Success? : an investigation of disabled students' and academic staffs' perceptions of the factors that hinder a disabled student's occupational performance in Trinity College, Dublin. ˜The œIrish journal of occupational therapy, 31(1/2), 15-19

The International Journal of Occupational Therapy Education (IJOTE) : a need for an international peer-reviewed forum to report our academic evidence base and share practice education innovations
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., Hills, C., & Brown, T. The International Journal of Occupational Therapy Education (IJOTE) : a need for an international peer-reviewed forum to report our academic evidence base and share practice education innovations. Presented at WFOT Congress 2018, Cape Town, South Africa

Introduction: The 2014 WFOT Congress included over 150 wide-ranging, highquality papers specifically about entry-level occupational therapy education, which highlights a wealth of experience and diversity of approaches in curriculum design and prac... Read More about The International Journal of Occupational Therapy Education (IJOTE) : a need for an international peer-reviewed forum to report our academic evidence base and share practice education innovations.

Low vision rehabilitation strategies for occupational therapists
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., & Collins, N. Low vision rehabilitation strategies for occupational therapists. Presented at RCOT 2018, Belfast Waterfront, Northern Ireland

Adults with low vision can experience significant restrictions in occupational participation (Dahlin Ivanoff et al 2002) and consequent impacts on wellbeing (Sloan et al 2005). As up to one in five service users over the age of 70 is likely to exp... Read More about Low vision rehabilitation strategies for occupational therapists.

Experiences of disabled women during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting services : implications for occupational therapy
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., Hall, J., Ireland, J., & Hundley, V. Experiences of disabled women during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting services : implications for occupational therapy. Presented at RCOT 2017, ICC, Birmingham, United Kingdom

The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of women with physical and sensory disability during their interaction with maternity services. The study was funded by a national charity whose previous research identified that disabled wo... Read More about Experiences of disabled women during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting services : implications for occupational therapy.

Time for occupational therapists to focus on low vision?
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., & Collins, N. Time for occupational therapists to focus on low vision?. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 37th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, United Kingdom

The number of adults with sight loss is increasing. It is expected that, without intervention, the number of vision impaired people will double between 2000 and 2020 (Bosanquet & Mehta 2008). Sight loss can result in significant difficulties with... Read More about Time for occupational therapists to focus on low vision?.

What do we do? Examining current occupational therapy practice with people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Presentation / Conference
Duckworth, S., & Collins, B. What do we do? Examining current occupational therapy practice with people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Poster presented at RCOT 2018, Belfast Waterfront, Northern Ireland

Aims: The lack of clarity about what exactly occupational therapy intervention involves for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to variation in practice, challenges evaluating practice and limited understanding of occup... Read More about What do we do? Examining current occupational therapy practice with people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Thinking disability orientation : practicing affirmation
Presentation / Conference
McCormack, C., & Collins, B. Thinking disability orientation : practicing affirmation. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 36th Annual Conference and Exhibition, SECC, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Introduction: Occupational therapy’s theoretical base is informed by beliefs in empowerment, partnership, choice and hope — all key components in client-centred practice (Sumsion and Law 2006). In order to be client-centred, it is important to ap... Read More about Thinking disability orientation : practicing affirmation.

Independence : confused, outdated or core of occupational therapy?
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B. Independence : confused, outdated or core of occupational therapy?. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 36th Annual Conference and Exhibition, SECC, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Introduction: Independence has been described as a core outcome of occupational therapy, but what does “independence” mean? Perceptions of independence are linked to disability models (Goble 2004). Professionals’ definitions tend to relate to doi... Read More about Independence : confused, outdated or core of occupational therapy?.

Benefits, enablers and barriers to engaging in peer support for people with macular degeneration : implications for occupational therapy
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., Thetford, C., & Storey, H. Benefits, enablers and barriers to engaging in peer support for people with macular degeneration : implications for occupational therapy. Presented at RCOT 2019, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Aims: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with psychosocial issues and reduced quality of life (Dawson et al., 2014). Support is increasingly provided through peer support groups (PSGs), but with limited research about these group... Read More about Benefits, enablers and barriers to engaging in peer support for people with macular degeneration : implications for occupational therapy.

Housing adaptations for adults with low vision
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B. Housing adaptations for adults with low vision. Presented at RCOTSS-Housing Conference 2017 –“Health, Housing and Social Care: The key to independent living”, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Low vision rehabilitation : skills for occupational therapists
Presentation / Conference
Collins, N., & Collins, B. Low vision rehabilitation : skills for occupational therapists. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 37th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, United Kingdom

Many older people referred to occupational therapy may experience sight loss, yet, in the presence of other disability, it is commonly overlooked by health professionals (Horowitz 2004). Sight loss can result in significant difficulty with activit... Read More about Low vision rehabilitation : skills for occupational therapists.

The occupational therapy independence framework (OTIF) : a new perspective on a core concept?
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B. The occupational therapy independence framework (OTIF) : a new perspective on a core concept?. Poster presented at RCOT 2017, ICC, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Aims: The occupational therapy independence framework (OTIF) aims to synthesise the range of characterisations of independence found in the literature in a practically useful and occupation-centred way (Collins, 2017). Background: Despite indepen... Read More about The occupational therapy independence framework (OTIF) : a new perspective on a core concept?.

Choice or routine?
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B. Choice or routine?. Presented at Occupational Science Europe Conference 2011 : occupational therapists owning occupation, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom

The meaning of sexual well-being to physically disabled people : implications for practice
Presentation / Conference
Lee, S., & Collins, B. The meaning of sexual well-being to physically disabled people : implications for practice. Presented at RCOT 2018, Belfast Waterfront, Northern Ireland

This research explored the meaning of sexual well-being to adults with physical disability. Sexual well-being is one of the most significant parts of life (Taylor, 2011), profoundly connected to human well-being, where pleasure, person-toperson co... Read More about The meaning of sexual well-being to physically disabled people : implications for practice.

The 'Choice and Autonomy Framework' : implications for occupational therapy practice
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B. The 'Choice and Autonomy Framework' : implications for occupational therapy practice. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 34th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Brighton Centre, Brighton, United Kingdom

Introduction This paper presents findings from a PhD study exploring autonomy of adults with physical disability. The plethora of descriptions of autonomy in psychological, occupational therapy and rehabilitation literature (e.g. Ryan and Deci 20... Read More about The 'Choice and Autonomy Framework' : implications for occupational therapy practice.

How brilliant are we? Reflections on using Appreciative Action Research in higher education
Presentation / Conference
Clark, S., Farquarheson, L., Collins, B., & Diaz, A. How brilliant are we? Reflections on using Appreciative Action Research in higher education. Poster presented at ECRM 2015 14th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies, University of Malta

Strategies to enhance student experience and engagement typically have been based around reactionary responses to issues raised in quantitative surveys, such as the UK s National Student Survey (NSS). Whilst such approaches may be effective in ide... Read More about How brilliant are we? Reflections on using Appreciative Action Research in higher education.

Factors affecting occupational participation of people with low vision : a scoping review
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., & Brangan, J. Factors affecting occupational participation of people with low vision : a scoping review. Presented at 1st COTEC –ENOTHE joint congress, 2016, NUI Galway, Ireland

Background: Adults with low vision can experience significant restrictions in occupational participation. For occupational therapists to effectively intervene, an understanding of what causes these restrictions is imperative. Therefore, this researc... Read More about Factors affecting occupational participation of people with low vision : a scoping review.

The use of disability studies theory to critically appraise occupational therapy practice
Presentation / Conference
McCormack, C., & Collins, B. The use of disability studies theory to critically appraise occupational therapy practice. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 34th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Brighton Centre, Brighton, United Kingdom

Service provision with people with disabilities is often implicitly influenced by the operative paradigms in the health and social care service context (e.g. the medical or social models of disability). At times, people with disabilities find thes... Read More about The use of disability studies theory to critically appraise occupational therapy practice.

Undergraduate peer education : a means to promote inter-professional understanding?
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., & Clark, C. Undergraduate peer education : a means to promote inter-professional understanding?. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 37th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, United Kingdom

Introduction: Peer education was introduced in the occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) programmes to promote students’ communication, facilitation and education skills. It involves peer-led collaborative facilitation of learning, sup... Read More about Undergraduate peer education : a means to promote inter-professional understanding?.

What makes group-work work? Perceptions of first year occupational therapy students
Presentation / Conference
Collins, B., & Akers, L. What makes group-work work? Perceptions of first year occupational therapy students. Poster presented at 1st COTEC –ENOTHE joint congress, 2016, NUI Galway, Ireland

Background: This research sought to understand BSc Occupational Therapy students’ perceptions of different types of group-work, as experienced throughout their first year in one UK university. Method: Students experience and perceptions were so... Read More about What makes group-work work? Perceptions of first year occupational therapy students.