Professor Carolyn Unsworth
Professor and Head of Occupational Therapy
Campus
Biography
Professor Carolyn Unsworth is an internationally recognised leader in occupational therapy, with a distinguished research career focused on clinical reasoning, outcome measurement, and community transport mobility and driving assessment for people with disabilities.
Carolyn’s innovative research includes the development of the Occupational Therapy Driver Off-Road Assessment Battery (OT–DORA) and the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT), both used internationally and translated into multiple languages. Her leadership extends to securing over $5 million in competitive and industry funding, directing multidisciplinary and international research teams, and holding adjunct professorial appointments at Jönköping University, Monash University and James Cook University.
Carolyn regularly advises government and industry, serving on the Victorian Road Safety Camera Commissioner’s reference group and contributing to national policy development. She is a fellow of the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy and the American Occupational Therapy Research Foundation.
As a curriculum innovator, Carolyn has over 30 years’ experience teaching occupational therapy students using traditional, problem-based learning and flipped classroom methods. Carolyn is passionate about educating rural occupational therapy students to deliver world-class services to regional Australia. She is also a dedicated mentor, having supervised numerous PhD students and academic staff.
Fields of research
- Occupational therapy
- People with disability
- Public transport
More about Carolyn
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy), La Trobe University
- Doctor of Philosophy, La Trobe University
- Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education, Central Queensland University
Areas of interest
- Community transport mobility, including driver assessments
- Assessment and measurement and outcome measures
- Clinical and professional reasoning and clinical decision making
Areas of expertise
Carolyn has expertise in developing and conducting assessments and outcome measures to enable health professionals to make evidence-based decisions for care, or rehabilitation. She is skilled in promoting public transport assessments for older people and people with disabilities, and the design of buses to enhance safety for people using mobility aids. Her research on driver assessment and rehabilitation for people with health conditions is used internationally. Carolyn’s research on clinical reasoning is used across all facets of occupational therapy, particularly to support novice occupational therapists to elevate their practice beyond competence.
Grants
- Margot-Catin, I., et al. 2024–28. ‘Building Opportunities for participation and accessibility through lifelong community mobility (BOPALiM). COST European Cooperation in Science and Technology. ($500,000)
- Gelinas, I., et al 2024. ‘Validation of a novel checklist to evaluate community mobility skills for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.’ Centre de Recherche interdisciplinaire en adaptation du Montreal metropolitain, Montreal, Canada. ($10,000)
- Ganesan, B., et al., 2024. ‘Smart-Technology based Cognitive and Yoga Training Program for Improving Prospective Memory in Older Adults: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) Study.’ Federation University. ($10,000)   
- Lewis, A. et al., 2023. ‘An evaluation of early childhood screening services in the Latrobe Valley’ Latrobe Health Assembly. ($30,000)
- Unsworth, C.A. et al. 2022–2024. ‘Public trial of a semi-active containment system on route buses: the “Mobility Device – Containment On Bus Options” (MD – COBO) system’. Department of Transport. ($332,000)     
- Porter, J., et al. 2022. ‘Food Security and Wellbeing program evaluation.’ Latrobe Health Assembly. ($61,000)
- Unsworth, C.A (2022) ‘Testing of mobility device access spaces with a passive containment system on Brisbane Metro Vehicles’ Brisbane City Council. ($17,370)
- Wallace, S., 2022–4. ‘The Right Treatment for the Right Person at the Right Time: Driving High-Value Aphasia Care through Meaningful Health System Monitoring’. Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Fund (NHMRC), Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). ($451,221)
- Lanin, N., et al., 2021–3. ‘New models of rehabilitation to improve work and health outcomes after stroke.’ Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Fund (NHMRC), Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). ($678,921)
- Unsworth, C.A., & Kahandawa, G. 2021–2. ‘Improving safety for bus passengers using wheelchairs and mobility scooters: Effectiveness of restraint systems.’ Department of Transport. ($ 307,000)
- Unsworth, C.A. et al 2020. ‘Increasing accessibility for passengers with disabilities using the Brisbane Metro’ Brisbane City Council. ($28,000)
- Baker, A., Gohil, A., Unsworth, C.A. 2020. ‘Developing graded driving simulator scenarios for use in cognitive and perceptual rehabilitation’. Federation University. ($5,000)
- Naweed, A. & Unsworth, C.A. (2019). ‘International innovations that promote rail passenger accessibility’. Australian Centre for Rail Innovation. ($92,000)
- Naweed, A. & Unsworth, C.A. 2019. ‘National and international practices regarding wheelchair and mobility scooter restraint or tie down systems on public route buses’ Public Transport Victoria. ($56,000)
- Schache, M., Timmer A.J., & Unsworth, C.A. 2019. ‘Development and testing of an electronic outcome measure database for use in rehabilitation’ Ramsay Health Care. ( $62,000)
- Gudimetla, P., De Silva M., & Unsworth, C.A. 2018. ‘A Feedback System to Prevent Pressure Injuries due to Prolonged Static posture’ Central Queensland University. ($ 50,000)
- Unsworth, C.A. et al., 2018–9. ‘Ticket to ride: promoting accessible bus journeys for mobility aid users’. Public Transport Victoria. ($145,000)
- Naweed, A. & Unsworth, C.A. ‘Situational factors contributing to musculoskeletal injuries in tram drivers on the G:Link’. Keolis Downer. ($66,000)
- Gudimetla, P., & Unsworth, C.A. 2018. ‘Development of a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Switch) to promote communication for people who are non-verbal’. Queensland Government – Advance Queensland: Knowledge Translation Grant. ($41,000)
- O’Reilly, M. 2016–7. ‘Adventures with dementia:  How dementia inclusive is Bundaberg as a tourist destination?’ Central Queensland University. ($15,000)
- Unsworth, C.A. 2015. ‘The use of home automation for people with complex disabilities.’ Pinarc Disability. ($20,000)
- Unsworth, C.A. et al., 2015. ‘Investigating the effectiveness of a clinical driving simulator. Central Queensland University. ($147,000)
- Unsworth, C.A. & Tay, R. 2015. ‘Understanding mobility aid users’ access on public transport.’ Public Transport Victoria. ($23,000)
- Harries, P., & Unsworth, C.A. 2015. ‘The mobility needs of people with disabilities; Scoping our future research priorities.’ Motability, UK. ($240,000)
- Lannin, N., et al., 2016–8. ‘Process Evaluation of the implementation of the new Victorian state-wide Acquired Brain Injury Service and Outcomes Evaluation of the impact of the service on the long-term quality of life and community participation of people admitted to the service between 2016 and 2018.’ The Transport Accident Commission and the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research. ($890,000)
- Harries, P., & Unsworth, C.A. 2012–5. ‘Development of a web-based decision aid to assist occupational therapists to make optimal fitness-to-drive decisions for disabled and older drivers. UK Occupational Therapy Research Foundation (UKOTRF). ($120,000)
Awards
- 2023: Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, Research Academy
- 2022: Lavigne-Smee Visiting Scholarship at McGill’s School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Canada.
- 2021: Research Team Award from Occupational Therapy Australia: Member of the Brain Recovery & Rehabilitation Group team, Alfred Health. 
- 2019: Central Queensland University educator of the year for the subject “Enabling Strategies in Neurological Rehabilitation” Student Voice Award.
- 2017: Dean’s Outstanding Research Award School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences (Excellence in Research), Central Queensland University.
- 2017: Vice Chancellor’s Outstanding Research Award (Excellence in Research), Central Queensland University.
- 2017: Fellow of the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy
- 2008: Visiting Expert Award with the Ministry of Health, Singapore, based at National University Hospital.
- 2007: RACV Sir Edmund Herring Scholarship for research on older and functionally impaired drivers
Current
- PhD student, Federation University, 'Community transport mobility for people with mental health problems', primary supervisor.
- PhD student, Federation University, 'Clinical reasoning in use of assessment material to guide intervention for clients with cognitive problems following acquired brain damage', primary supervisor.
Past
- PhD student, Federation University, 'Development and evaluation of a guideline for non-driver assessor occupational therapists to support clinical practice', primary supervisor.
- PhD student, Federation University, 'Development and effectiveness of an education package to promote positive bus driver attitudes, interactions and behaviour when transporting passengers with disabilities on public buses', primary supervisor.
- PhD student, Federation University, 'Revision of the competency standards for occupational therapy driver assessors', primary supervisor.
- PhD student, Central Queensland University, 'Measuring the effectiveness of rehabilitation to reduce deconditioning among older patients', primary supervisor.
- Master's student, Federation University, 'Development of a screening tool for powered mobility use in residential aged care', primary supervisor.
- Master's student, Federation University, 'Wheeled Mobility Device Stability on Public Buses Using a Semi-Active Containment Systems', primary supervisor.
- Master's student, Federation University, 'Development of a protocol for use in driving simulation with drivers who have functional impairments', co-supervisor.
- Clinical reasoning
- Community transport mobility
- Driver assessment (fitness-to-drive) and rehabilitation
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Outcome measurement and standardised assessments
Specialist roles
- Scientific Advisory Board Member – Sweden (National doctoral research in health innovation)
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Neurosciences, Monash University
- Adjunct Professor, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University
- Adjunct (previously Visiting) Professor, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Sweden
- Associate Editor, The British Journal of Occupational Therapy
Professional association memberships
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- Australasian College of Road Safety
- Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association
- Occupational Therapy Australia
- Register of Road Safety Professionals
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists, UK
- World Federation of Occupational Therapists
Patents
2022: Patent number 2022206706
Restraint systems for mobility device passengers on public transport vehicles. This patent is for a new semi-active containment system to support people to remain stable when travelling in their mobility device on public transit buses.
- Inventors: Carolyn Unsworth, Gayan Kahandawa, Amal Jayawardena
- Applicants: Federation University Australia and State of Victoria as represented by Department of Transport.
Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC)
- Publications
'Go slow but be quick'; an Australian case study exploring barriers restricting bus drivers inclusive transport of passengers
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1080/09687599.2026.2629887