I qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1994 with a BSc (Hons) from Cardiff School of Physiotherapy, University of Wales. My clinical career was based predominantly in the acute medical environment specialising in paediatric physiotherapy. However, I did work briefly in Cardiff Community with adults and children with a range of mental health problems. Prior to taking up my academic appointment I was the clinical specialist physiotherapist for the Regional Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital of Wales. There, I was responsible for the provision of the physiotherapy service and the development and facilitation of evidence based practice in paediatric critical care.

In 2003, I became a lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy, School of Healthcare Studies at Cardiff University, where I teach part-time on the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course and MSc modules including Ethics in Health and Social Care. I teach as a member of several teaching teams involved in the delivery, assessment and development of course modules including Personal and Professional Development, Professional Practice and Research and Evaluation. Currently, I balance this academic role with my doctoral studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Bristol.

I am also involved with external networks to share information and ideas. I am the Chairperson of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists in Wales Committee where I liaise with clinical paediatric colleagues to disseminate research findings and contribute to continuing professional development.

My particular research interests are ethics and law in health & social care, health care policy, personal development planning including portfolio development and interprofessional learning.

Currently, my primary research is my doctoral research which focused on health care law, ethics and professional socialisation related to physiotherapy as a healthcare profession. My thesis Ethical Conflicts in Paediatric Physiotherapy: a qualitative study of theory and practice is an analysis of ethical, legal and professional values relating to the treatment of children and young people by paediatric physiotherapists in different health care settings. My methodology combines traditional legal and qualitative methods to review the literature, develop theories, collect and analyse data and engages with ethical and legal theory. The qualitative research study will use face-to-face interviews to inquire about paediatric physiotherapists$acirc;   knowledge, understanding and management of ethical, legal and professional issues that affect their clinical practice. The study also aims to realise the ethical values intrinsic to the paediatric physiotherapy profession. The anticipated ultimate outcome is to use the findings to develop practical guidance to assist paediatric physiotherapists in the UK with ethical conflicts in clinical practice.

My secondary research is a pan University e-learning project using Blackboard   to facilitate physiotherapy students$acirc;   engagement with reflective practice and Personal Development Planning (PDP).