RCOT Celebration of Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards 2020
We are delighted to announce the winners of our Celebration of Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards 2020.
Each year, we recognise the outstanding contributions that members make to the profession and to raising its profile by presenting a series of awards and funding opportunities.
Fellowship and Merit Awards
Every day occupational therapists make outstanding contributions to the profession and people’s lives without thought of recognition – it is simply not why we become occupational therapists. It is therefore even more meaningful when colleagues take the time to seek wider recognition of our members’ commitment to the profession.
Fellowship Awards
The Fellowship Awards are the highest honours that RCOT can bestow on its members in recognition of the outstanding contribution they have made to the occupational therapy profession during their career.
We presented Fellowship Awards to Dr Ruth Heames and Ruth Tyerman.
Dr Ruth Heames
Ruth Tyerman
Merit Awards
These awards, introduced in 2008, are open to all members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) with a minimum of two full consecutive membership years, who are recognised by their peers in the occupational therapy community for excellence in their sphere of work.
This year, Merit Awards have been given to Dr Theresa Baxter, Wendy Chambers, Janine Smith and Louise Watson.
Dr Theresa Baxter
Wendy Chambers
Janine Smith
Louise Watson
RCOT Research Foundation Grants 2020
This year, we are delighted to award five RCOT Research Foundation grants across three categories towards members’ projects that address identified research priorities in occupational therapy.
Systematic Review Grant
This grant supports efforts to extend the assimilation and development of the evidence base underpinning occupational therapy. Typically, one systematic review grant will be awarded in a research priority area and one in an area determined by RCOT. Two grants were awarded this year.
Kerry Micklewright
Jain Holmes
Early Researcher Prize
This prize is awarded to a pre-registration BSc/MSc occupational therapy student for an outstanding research project completed in the final year of their degree programme. Students are nominated by a member of the academic team at the student’s institution.
Rick Adams
Research Career Development Grant
This grant provides support towards doctoral or early postdoctoral (up to 5 years from completion of PhD or similar) research for individuals who can demonstrate a commitment to developing a career pathway as an occupational therapy researcher. This year, we awarded two grants.
Jo Atkinson
Dr Nikki Daniels
RCOT Annual Awards in Learning, Development and Research
Eight members will use funding from our annual awards to take part in learning, development and research activities. These include training courses, international placements and events, and research projects and reviews.
AMPS-ESI UK & Ireland Award
The AMPS-ESI UK & Ireland Award is given to support a practice development or research activity in a topic related to occupational therapy, which demonstrates the use of one of the AMPS (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills) tools.
Dr Rachel Dadswell
The Barbara Tyldesley Student Award
The Barbara Tyldesley Student Award was first made available in 2015 with funding from The Constance Owens Trust in memory of their late Trustee, Barbara Tyldesley. The award supports participation in an approved overseas practice placement, Erasmus Exchange Scheme, or global health project.
Rosalind Brooks
The Innovation Award
The Innovation Award provides funding towards innovative or development projects aimed at supporting the future of the profession and professional practice.
Dr James Gavin
International Travel Award
The International Travel Award supports a professional member’s active participation in an overseas activity.
Sarah McGinley
The Pearson Award
The Pearson Award supports an activity for an individual professional or student RCOT member towards an activity that forms part of their education, research or continuing professional development. Two awards were presented this year.
Dr Vanessa Abrahamson
Elaine Mc Mahon
Constance Owens Early Researcher Award
Introduced in 2019, this award provides funding from The Constance Owens Trust to enable an individual occupational therapist to begin to participate in research, through pilot or preliminary research activity relevant to occupational therapy, and which will have a likely impact on outcomes for service users and/or carers, and the effectiveness of the occupational therapy service.
Hazel Douglas
The Constance Owens Liverpool Award for Service Development (COLASD)
This award provides funding from The Constance Owens Trust to enable an individual occupational therapist participating in a service development activity or project likely to have an impact on outcomes for service users/carers, occupational therapy service effectiveness, and professional practice.
Victoria Carruthers
Congratulations to this year’s awards recipients. We thank you for your contributions to our profession and wish members embarking on learning, development and research activities well.
Find out more about applying for the 2021 Annual Awards and RCOT Research Foundation grants.
You can find more about nominating colleagues for Fellowship and Merit Awards 2021 here.