Ms Jou Yin Teoh
Honorary Senior Lecturer – Life Sciences

Summary

I work at the intersection of research, entrepreneurship, and occupational therapy to help organisations reshape their infrastructure and culture so that equity and inclusion are not just ideals but everyday realities, and underserved populations are no longer left behind. My work is currently focused on equipping the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) to better support occupational therapists in the independent sector. Previously, I have also worked with the London School of Occupational Therapy at Brunel University of London on digital accessibility, racial and cultural equity; as well as the Malaysian Health Coalition with rural, indigenous, and migrant communities.

I also work with select individual clients through my boutique online-only mental health occupational therapy practice, with a particular interest in academic, health, tech, finance and startup / entrepreneurship-related sectors. I take a neurodiversity-affirming, decolonial approach to therapy underpinned by evidence through a combination of the Kawa Model, mindfulness and critical / anti-oppressive methodologies.

I previously held full-time permanent academic appointments in the UK and Malaysia, most recently at the London School of Occupational Therapy as Senior Lecturer (junior Associate Professor) and Senior Tutor. I also worked at Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College as a Lecturer and Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy. Over the course of my academic career, I have accumulated a total of £153,014 in both internal and external funding for research and educational enhancement projects; authored more than 10 publications including peer-reviewed journal articles / book chapters / public scholarship reports; presented more than 20 papers at peer-reviewed academic conferences; and also supervised 25 master’s research / capstone projects to completion with 3 ongoing, and completed one doctoral capstone supervision. Additionally, I have delivered over 35 invited speaking engagements (including keynotes and plenary) to audiences in 15 different countries across 4 continents. I was also awarded Brunel University of London's highest accolades for ‘exceptional contribution to teaching and student experience’ - winning the Brunel Student-Led Awards and Ken Darby-Dowman prize.

My most recent research used co-production and participatory methologies including the Kawa Model to research power dynamics and level the playing field for healthcare workforce learning and development. Additionally, my research on co-producing inclusive learning was featured in the Council of Deans of Health report on Anti-Racism in Allied Health Professions Education, shortlisted for the BUL Research Impact Awards in the Educational Impact category; as well as the NHS England Chief Allied Health Officers' Award for Leadership in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

My PhD exploring the Hidden Curriculum of Occupational Therapy Education is awaiting viva, jointly funded by the Elizabeth Casson Trust and Brunel University of London and supported by the supervisory committee of Dr Sofia Barbosa Bouças (Division of Psychology), Dr Geeta Ludhra (Dept of Education) Dr Terry Roberts (Division of Bioscienes) and Dr Michael Iwama (Duke University, USA).

Some of my career highlights include:

• Member, Advisory Panel for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion with the Health and Care Professions Council's review of their Standards for Education and Training (2025)
• Chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Learning and Development Board (2023-2024)
• Fellow with the Council of Deans of Health, first occupational therapist to be appointed as part of the inaugural cohort (2022-2023).
• Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (2016-2017), first woman of minoritized ethnoreligious background to be appointed in this position in the history of Malaysian Higher Education
• Pre-academia: occupational therapy entrepreneur with a special interest in social innovation for public health in the Global South; particularly in the integration of digital and community-centered approaches to build and run systems that contribute towards addressing disparities that affect health and well-being.

I also contribute towards the wider academic and professional community via the following:

• Editorial Board member for peer-reviewed journals: the Phillipine Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Neuroscience Research Notes.
• Mentoring with Academic Intersectionality Mentoring in Medical Schools and BAMEOTUK Network

Qualifications

PhD (submitted) The Hidden Curriculum of Occupational Therapy Education

MSc (Distinction) Medical Education, Cardiff University - Chevening scholar

Bachelor in Occupational Therapy, National University of Malaysia / Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia