Proposed thesis title
Weaving safety and support: Empowering whānau and perinatal care providers in preterm babywearing journeys
Area of study
- Preterm birth
- Neurodevelopment
- Community empowerment/co‑design
- Aotearoa New Zealand
Proposed supervisiors
- Dr Meredith Perry, Senior Lecturer, Associate Dean Postgraduate Studies, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago
- Lizz Carrington, Lecturer, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago
- Bernadette Jones, Research Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (Wellington), University of Otago
Education
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Distinction), University of Otago (2002)
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (Child health), Auckland University of Technology (2012)
Why did you choose the School of Physiotherapy?
Studying at the School of Physiotherapy has allowed access to physiotherapists who share my passion for community empowerment, as well as researchers in other fields in child health and neurodevelopment across the University. This has enabled me to put together an exceptional supervisory team.
I have been able to select papers that support and provide a sound base for research to support families who have children who would benefit from developmental support.
Having access to the resources and support from CHARR (Centre of Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research at the School of Physiotherapy) alongside a community of researchers based in the School, and support from the Graduate Research School, has made it feel possible to upgrade from my original master's to a PhD and I am excited about the next stage of my journey!
Contact
Email donna.smith@otago.ac.nz
Publications
Smith, D. (2025, November). What came first? Inductive teaching ideas in undergraduate physiotherapy. Verbal presentation at the University of Otago Learning and Teaching Symposium: Learning through the Lens of Educators, [Hybrid]. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Carrington, L., Hale, L., Freeman, C., Smith, D., & Perry, M. (2024). The effectiveness of play as an intervention using International Classification of Functioning outcome measures for children with disabilities: A systematic review and meta-synthesis. Disability & Rehabilitation, 46(17), 3827-3848. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2259305 Journal - Research Article
Taylor, M., Perry, M., Carrington, E., Bryant, K., Smith, D., & Sanerivi, O. (2022). Lessons Māori led early childhood centres can share to improve paediatric health service: Perceptions of caregivers of Māori children attending Māori centred childcare. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 50(3, Suppl.), (pp. S38-S39). doi: 10.15619/NZJP/50.3.07 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Drysdale, D., Carrington, L., Sanerivi, O., Smith, D., & Perry, M. (2022). Perceptions of Pasifika caregivers on a Pacific community playground and implications for paediatric physiotherapists. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 50(2), 72-81. doi: 10.15619/NZJP/50.2.04 Journal - Research Article