Dr Emma Crawford
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
+61 7 336 52793
+61 7 336 54526
Researcher biography
Dr Emma Crawford is an occupational therapist and researcher whose work centres on promoting wellbeing for infants, children, families and communities. Emma's primary focus is on cross-cultural projects that link with community organisations to create social change and reduce the impacts of disadvantage by supporting health enhancing environments and activities in early life. At the centre of Emma's work is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 - ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing across all ages. Currently, Emma is leading several projects:
1) The BABI Project (research): refugee and asylum seeker families' expereinces during the perinatal period (systematic review, qualitative focus group and interview research)
2) The Uni-Friends program (student delivered service and student placement) - a social-emotional helth promotion program that draws on cultural responsiveness (The Making Connecitons Framework) and community development principles in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled School
3) LUCIE-NDC (research) - mothers' experiences of accessing Neuroprotective-Developmental Care in the first 12 months of their infants' lives
Emma has a strong interest in understanding human experiences, community-driven initiatives, and strengths-based, innovative, evidence based, complex approaches to wellbeing that consider individuals and systems She also carries out research regarding allied health student placements in culturally diverse settings including low-middle income countries and Indigenous contexts. She works as a Lecturer at the University of Queensland, Australia after having worked in a range of occupational therapy roles including with children with autism, with asylum seekers, with Indigenous Australians with chronic disease, and completing her PhD in Political Science and International Studies in 2015.
Publications
Book Chapter
Aplin, Tammy, Crawford, Emma and De Jonge, Desleigh (2021). Fundamentals of occupational therapy: understanding the environment. Occupational therapy in Australia: professional and practice issues. (pp. 229-243) edited by Ted Brown, Helen M. Bourke-Taylor, Stephen Isbel, Reinie Cordier and Louise Gustafsson. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
Journal Articles
Crawford, Emma Jean, Crook, Emma C., Waldby, Lucy and Douglas, Pamela (2024). New perspectives on responsive infant care: a qualitative study of the ways in which Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) shapes mother-infant co-occupations. Journal of Occupational Science, 31 (2), 337-353. doi: 10.1080/14427591.2023.2236117
Crawford, Emma, Barlott, Tim, Begg, Hannah, Mitchelson, Kelly, Teo, Amos and Turpin, Merrill (2022). Occupational multi-level responsiveness: describing the skills used by occupational therapists working with children seeking asylum in Australia. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 30 (3), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2022.2072384
Branjerdporn, Nataya, Benfer, Katherine, Crawford, Emma, Ziviani, Jenny, Boyd, Roslyn N. and Sakzewski, Leanne (2021). Efficacy of early interventions with active parent implementation in low-and-middle income countries for young children with cerebral palsy to improve child development and parent mental health outcomes: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (23), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1989063
Crawford, Emma, Whittingham, Koa, Pallett, Emma, Douglas, Pamela and Creedy, Debra K. (2021). An evaluation of Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC/Possums Programs) in the first 12 months of life. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 26 (1), 110-123. doi: 10.1007/s10995-021-03230-3
Branjerdporn, Nataya, Crawford, Emma, Ziviani, Jenny, Boyd, Roslyn N., Benfer, Katherine and Sakzewski, Leanne (2021). Mothers’ perspectives on the influences shaping their early experiences with infants at risk of cerebral palsy in India. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 113 103957, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103957
Crawford, Emma, Hill, Anne E., Caine, Anne-Maree, Hunter, Lucy, Mandrusiak, Allison, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Fagan, Amy, Quinlan, Teresa, Branjerdporn, Nataya and Anemaat, Lisa (2020). Local partners’ perspectives on health student service-learning placements in low- and middle-income countries: a pilot qualitative study with partners from Vietnam and Timor-Leste. International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care, 8 (2), 29-40. doi: 10.18552/ijpblhsc.v8i2.584
Zhang, Claire Xiaochi, Crawford, Emma, Marshall, Jeanne, Bernard, Anne and Walker-Smith, Katie (2020). Developing interprofessional collaboration between clinicians, interpreters, and translators in healthcare settings: outcomes from face-to-face training. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 35 (4), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/13561820.2020.1786360
Hu, Jie, Basit, Tabinda, Nelson, Alison, Crawford, Emma and Turner, Lyle (2019). Does attending Work It Out -a chronic disease self-management program-affect the use of other health services by urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with or at risk of chronic disease?: a comparison between program participants and non-participants. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 25 (5), 464-470. doi: 10.1071/PY18089
Parmenter, Joni, Basit, Tabinda, Nelson, Alison, Crawford, Emma and Kitter, Bryony (2019). Chronic disease self‐management programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Factors influencing participation in an urban setting. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 31 (1) hpja.256, 104-111. doi: 10.1002/hpja.256
Zhang, Claire Xiaochi and Crawford, Emma (2018). Speech-language pathologists' perspectives on cultural responsiveness in a paediatric hospital setting: people, process, and practice environment. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 20 (3), 155-163.
Tsai, Samuel, Crawford, Emma and Strong, Jenny (2018). Seeking virtual social support through blogging: a content analysis of published blog posts written by people with chronic pain. Digital Health, 4, 1-10. doi: 10.1177/2055207618772669
Crawford, Emma, Caine, Anne-Maree, Hunter, Lucy, Hill, Anne E., Mandrusiak, Allison, Anemaat, Lisa, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Fagan, Amy and Quinlan, Teresa (2017). Service learning in developing countries: Student outcomes including personal successes, seeing the world in new ways, and developing as health professionals. Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice, 9, 74-81. doi: 10.1016/j.xjep.2017.08.006
Crawford, Emma (2017). Continuing the dialogue: a rights-approach in occupational therapy. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 64 (6), 505-509. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12416
Crawford, Emma and Turpin, Merrill June (2017). Intentional strengths interviewing in occupational justice research. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 25 (1), 52-60. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2017.1322635
Parmenter, Joni, Nelson, Alison, Crawford, Emma, Basit, Tabs and Dargan, Samara (2017). My body’s getting healthy and my mind is getting healthy with it. Considering urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptions of health. International Research Journal of Public Health, 1 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.28933/irjph-2017-01-01
Crawford, Emma, Aplin, Tammy and Rodger, Sylvia (2016). Human rights in occupational therapy education: a step towards a more occupationally just global society. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 64 (2), 129-136. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12321
Crawford, Emma, Turpin, Merrill, Nayar, Shoba, Steel, Emily and Durand, Jean-Louis (2016). The structural-personal interaction: occupational deprivation and asylum seekers in Australia. Journal of Occupational Science, 23 (3), 321-338. doi: 10.1080/14427591.2016.1153510
Campbell, Emma Jean and Steel, Emily Jean (2015). Mental distress and human rights of asylum seekers. Journal of Public Mental Health, 14 (2), 43-55. doi: 10.1108/JPMH-06-2013-0040
Campbell, Emma and Bennett, Sally (2014). People detained for prolonged periods in immigration detention experienced significant psychological and interpersonal difficulties that make it difficult to rebuild their lives following release from detention. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 61 (1), 33-34. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12091
Campbell, Emma Jean and Turpin, Merrill June (2010). Refugee settlement workers' perspectives on home safety issues for people from refugee backgrounds. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57 (6), 425-430. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00882.x
Conference Papers
Crawford, Emma, Crook, Emma and Waldby, Lucy (2023). Occupational perspectives on responsive infant care from mothers accessing Neuroprotective-Developmental-Care (NDC) services. Occupational Therapy Australia 30th National Conference and Exhibition, Cairns, QLD Australia, 21 - 23 June 2023. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12872
Crawford, E., Nelson, A., Martin, K., Copley, J., Cudore, K. and Rebrovich, C. (2022). Occupational therapy students’ experiences of learning about cultural responsiveness in an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander School. World Federation of Occupational Therapy World Congress 2022, Paris, France, 28-31 August 2022.
Crawford, Emma and Turpin, Merrill June (2021). Intentional strengths interviewing: supporting the participation of potentially vulnerable participants in qualitative health research. 20th Annual Thinking Qualitatively Virtual Conference, Virtual, 5-9 July 2021. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
Branjerdporn, N., Sakzewski, L., Benfer, K., Crawford, E., Ziviani, J. and Boyd, R. (2020). Efficacy of parent-implemented early interventions in low-and-middle income counties for children with cerebral palsy to improve parent mental health: systematic review. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, Australia, 11-14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Branjerdporn, N., Crawford, E., Ziviani, J., Boyd, R., Sakzewski, L. and Benfer, K. (2020). Mothers' perspectives on the influences shaping their early experiences with infants at risk of cerebral palsy in West Bengal, India. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Perth, Australia, 11-14 March 2020. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Crawford, Emma and Douglas, Pamela (2020). Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC or 'the Possums programs'): is this novel evidence-based approach to breastfeeding, infant cry-fuss, and sleep effective?. Australasian Association for Academic Primary Care (AAAPC) Annual Research Conference, Online, 14-15 August 2020. Clayton, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/PYv26n4abs
Nelson, A., Odgers-Jewell, K., Crawfrod, E., Hill, A. and Quinlan, T. (2019). Growing authentic work integrated learning experiences with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: wins, worries and wonderings. Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators - ANZAHPE 2019 Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 1 - 4 July 2019.
Crawford, E., Hu, J., Basit, T., Nelson, A. and Turner, L (2018). Enhanced primary health care services use among Work It Out participants. Primary Health Care Research Conference 2018, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 1 - 3 August 2018.
Crawford, E. (2018). Keynote speaker - Working in contexts of trauma: Indigenous health and Asylum Seeker services. Occupational Therapy Australia Northern Territory Forum., Darwin, NT Australia, 28 June 2018.
Crawford, E., Caine, A-M., Hunter, L., Hill, E.E., Mandrusiak, A., Anemaat, L., Dunwoodie, R., Fagan, A and Quinlan, T (2018). Service learning in developing countries: student outcomes including personal successes, seeing the world in new ways, and developing as health professionals. Society for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 38th Annual Conference, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada, 19 - 22 June 2018.
Crawford, E. (2018). A comparison between Work It Out chronic disease program participants’ and non-participants’ services use. Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation Conference, Montreal, Canada, 18 June 2018.
Zhang, C. and Crawford, E. (2018). Speech-language pathologists’ and allied health assistants’ perspectives on cultural responsiveness in a paediatric hospital setting: people, processes, and practice environment. Speech Pathology Australia National Conference 2018, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 27 - 30 May 2018.
Mitchelson, Kelly, Begg, Hannah, Crawford, Emma, Barlott, Tim and Turpin, Merrill (2017). Children seeking asylum: A qualitative study of occupational therapists’ perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities. Occupational Therapy Australia, 27th National Conference and Exhibition, Perth, WA, Australia, 19-21 July 2017. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell . doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12400
Mitchelson, K., Begg, H., Crawford, E., Barlott, T. and Turpin, M. (2016). Children seeking asylum: a qualitative study of occupational therapists' perspectives on challenges faced by children in Australian detention facilities. NT-QLD Division OT Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 October 2016.
Crawford, E. (2016). Change Makers – occupational justice training for therapists. Northern Territory/Queensland Occupational Therapy Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 October 2016.
Basit, Tabs, Rae, Katrina, Campbell, Emma, Nelson, Alison and Dargan, Samara (2015). Outcomes evaluation of the Work It Out chronic disease self-management and rehabilitation program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 11th National Allied Health Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 9-11 November 2015.
Campbell, E., Basit, T., Dargan, S. and Nelson, A (2015). Chronic pain and Indigenous Australians: beginning the journey. Australian Pain Society, 35th Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 15-18 March 2015.
Campbell, E., Strong, J., Copley, J., Caine, A-M and Davila, W. (2015). Online learning platforms to support student reflections regarding working across cultures and critical thinking regarding practice contexts.. Occupational Therapy Australia 26th National Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, 1 July, 2015. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal:
Campbell, Emma, Turpin, Merrill , Durand, Jean-Louis and Steel, Emily (2015). Untangling occupations and social structures: asylum seekers in Australia. Occupational Therapy Australia 26th National Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, 1-3 July 2015. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12212_2
Campbell, Emma, Aplin, Tammy and Rodger, Sylvia (2015). Effectiveness of a final year occupational therapy course at fostering global citizenship through human rights education. Occupational Therapy Australia 26th National Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, 1-3 July 2015. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12212_2
Campbell, E., Gurske, S., Cerra, J. and Terry, L. (2015). OT KiDS Program: children in detention in Australia. Occupational Therapy 24hour Virtual Exchange, Online Conference, 28 October 2015. OT4OT.
Campbell, Emma (2014). Translation of Status Assignment to Human Experiences – Asylum Seekers in Australia between 2012 and 2014. 16th World Congress of Occupational Therapy, Yokohama Japan, 18 - 21 June 2014.
Campbell, Emma, Rodger, Sylvia and Tuckerman, Amanda (2014). Presentation on BITA project: child and family OT program at a detention center in Australia. 16th World Congress of Occupational Therapy, Yokohama, Japan, 18 - 21 June 2014.
Campbell, Emma (2014). Guided poster on my story as an OT in Work It Out Chronic Disease Self Management and Rehabilitation Program.. 16th World Congress of Occupational Therapy, Yokohama, Japan, 18 - 21 June 2014.
Campbell, E. (2013). The human rights challenges and occupational injustices experienced by asylum seekers in Australia. Occupational Therapy Australia 25th National Conference and Exhibition, Adelaide, Australia, 24-26 July 2013. Wiley. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12061
Rodger, Sylvia and Campbell, Emma (2013). Enhancing occupational therapy students' understanding of human rights by focusing on social and occupational justice. Occupational Therapy Australia 25th National Conference and Exhibition, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 24-26 July, 2013. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12061
Thesis
Campbell, Emma (2015). Asylum seekers' experiences in Australia between 2012 and 2014: The Structural-Personal Interaction Process. PhD Thesis, School of Political Science and International Studies, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2015.291
Seminar Papers
Crawford, E. (2018). Neuroprotective Developmental Care – the approach, the research and possibilities for collaboration. Families Plus, McGill University.
Zhang, C. and Crawford, E. (2018). Speech-langauge pathologists’ perspectives on cultural responsiveness in a paediatric hospital setting: People, process, and practice environment. Child Health Queensland Allied Health Symposium. Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland.