Charlotte Flynn

Biography

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2000 and bring over 20 years of clinical experience to my academic role, having developed my career predominantly within hand therapy, culminating in practice as a Clinical Specialist Hand Therapist. My early career provided a broad and robust foundation across stroke and neurological rehabilitation, paediatrics, mental health, rheumatology, and older adults’ care, an experience which continues to inform my integrative, whole‑person approach to teaching and professional education. I entered higher education in 2019 at the University of East Anglia, before moving to the University of Essex in 2021, where I contribute to teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes within the School of Health & Social Care. My scholarly interests include hand therapy, occupational science, professionalism, and interprofessional education, with particular emphasis on the development of the relational and reflective “soft skills” underpinning professional identity, ethical practice, and practitioner resilience. I maintain a strong commitment to the theoretical foundations of occupational therapy and to fostering critically engaged, evidence‑informed graduates who are well prepared for contemporary practice. I am currently undertaking an MSc in Clinical and Medical Education, strengthening my pedagogic expertise and commitment to research‑informed teaching. I am a Fellow of Advance HE, a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the British Association of Hand Therapists, and I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, ensuring my teaching remains professionally grounded, current, and aligned with regulatory and professional standards. I also contribute to academic governance within the School of Health & Social Care as a member of both the HSC professional suitability group and the University Student Conduct Committee, roles which reflect my professionalism, sound academic judgement, and commitment to fairness, student wellbeing, and institutional standards.

Qualifications

• BSc Hons Occupational Therapy- First Class University of Northampton,

Appointments

University of Essex

• Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, School of Health & Social Care, University of Essex (14/4/2021 - present)

Other academic

• Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia (3/2/2019 - 9/4/2021)