Karen Hayes

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  • Occupational therapy researcher and lecturer, School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University

Karen Hayes is an occupational therapy academic with a mission to improve rural health and occupational therapy services in Australia, and across the globe. With over two decades of experience as an occupational therapist, she's seen firsthand the challenges faced by rural people and communities. Karen has a strong fairness and equality, driving her to address the healthcare gap between rural and urban areas, and believes in the power of occupational therapy to empower communities and build resilience.

Karen's research focuses on understanding and addressing the unique opportunities in rural occupational therapy practice. She has a particular focus on workforce. She studies where therapists are located, what services they offer, and how to fill the gaps in care. 

Experience

  • –present
    School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University
  • 2008–2018
    Manager Organisational Development and Learning, Hunter New England Local Health District
  • 2006–2008
    Manager, Education & Workforce Development, Hunter New England Local Health District
  • 2002–2006
    Occupational Therapist, Hunter New England Local Health District
  • 2001–2002
    Occupational Therapist, Port Macquarie Base Hospital

Education

  •  
    Western Sydney University, PhD Candidate
  • 2016 
    University of Newcastle , Graduate Certificate Health and Business Psychology
  • 2008 
    University of Sydney, Master Health Science (Education)
  • 2001 
    Western Sydney University, Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)

Publications

  • 2026
    Workforce distribution and work patterns of PhD qualified professionals across urban and rural Australia: Spatial Mapping using Australian Census Data, Work
  • 2025
    Rural and remote health care: The case for spatial justice, Rural and Remote Health
  • 2025
    Rural workforce drought: Spatial analysis reveals persistent maldistribution of the Australian occupational therapy workforce from 2013 to 2021, Australian Journal of Rural Health
  • 2024
    Preparing healthcare professional students for rural, regional and remote practice: demonstrating the effectiveness of an interprofessional simulation learning experience, Journal of Interprofessional Care.
  • 2023
    Extension, austerity, and emergence: Themes identified from a global scoping review of non-urban occupational therapy services., Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
  • 2023
    Profile of occupational therapy services in non-urban settings: A global scoping review, Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
  • 2023
    The use of clinical simulation to develop interprofessional skills and understanding: Perspectives from allied health students, Focus on Health Professional Education

Professional Memberships

  • AHPRA Registered Occupational Therapist
  • Occupational Therapy Australia
  • Services for Rural and Remote Allied Health
  • North Coast Allied Health Association

Contact Karen for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision