Paula Kersten

I am Head of School of Health Sciences and Professor at Brighton University. We provide education in nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, paramedic practice, public health, foundation degree and postgraduate taught/research programmes. Throughout my career I have worked in the UK, Germany, The Netherlands and New Zealand. I am an active researcher alongside my leadership role.

My research focuses on new rehabilitation approaches and measuring meaningful rehabilitation outcomes. Recent examples of my work include a study of peer mentoring for people with traumatic brain injury funded by the NZ Health Research Council and a study of the validity of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire funded by the NZ Ministry of Health.

My research draws on principles of person centred care and measurement sciences. Recent collaborative research include an exploration of the usability of MS Energise (a mobile app to support people with multiple sclerosis who experience fatigue) and peer mentoring in traumatic brain injury. I hold visiting professorial positions at AUT University (New Zealand) and the University of Bournemouth. I have supervised seven doctoral and 12 MSc students to completion and am interested in taking on new doctoral and MSc students.