Dr Jocelyn Kernot is an occupational therapist and academic with a strong commitment to inclusive, evidence-based practice and the co-design of services that meet the needs of diverse and underserved populations. Since joining the occupational therapy teaching team in 2009, she has taught across a broad range of subject areas, with a particular focus on clinical skill development—including occupational therapy practice in hospital settings, neurological rehabilitation, and environmental adaptation—as well as field practice education. She led the establishment of the student-led occupational therapy neurological rehabilitation service at the UniSA City West and Elizabeth Health and Medical Clinics, where she also served as a clinical educator.
Prior to entering academia, Dr Kernot worked for 17 years as a clinician across hospital, community, and private practice settings, with clinical expertise in neurological rehabilitation for both children and adults. She has held senior clinical and leadership roles, including Deputy Head of the Occupational Therapy Department and Head Paediatric Occupational Therapist at East Surrey Hospital in the UK. Her clinical and academic experience spans metropolitan, rural, and international contexts.
Dr Kernot completed her PhD in 2016 and has since led or contributed to a range of multidisciplinary research initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing through community development and innovative models of service delivery. Her research particularly addresses the needs of individuals experiencing disability, neurodivergence, and barriers related to equity and access, including those living in rural and remote areas. She has expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including co-design, Delphi studies, realist evaluation, qualitative descriptive methods, and randomised controlled trials.
Dr Kernot has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and secured more than $660,000 in research funding. She has supervised 11 Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students (PhD and Masters) and over 15 Honours students.
Research Interests:

Mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan
Community development
Health promotion
Neurological rehabilitation
Neurodiversity
Paediatrics
Technological rehabilitation 
Teaching and learning practices