Dr Shoshannah Kiriam
Lecturer, Occupational Therapy
School of Allied Health and Human Performance
College of Health
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Shoshannah Kiriam is an interdisciplinary academic and occupational therapist with over a decade of program and research experience in Australia, the Pacific, and South Asia. They hold a PhD in Anthropology and International Development (University of Adelaide) and a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours, UniSA). Their work bridges research, teaching, and community development, with a focus on health equity, co-design, and participatory practice.
Dr Kiriam’s research and practice is about working alongside communities to solve problems that impact everyday lives. They are passionate about co-design and participatory methods, where community members and people with lived experience shape the direction of projects and policies.
Their current and past work explores:
Youth mental health and wellbeing – developing creative, community-led supports in regional and rural areas.
Gender and health equity – examining how homelessness, poverty, caregiving, and social structures affect health and participation in meaningful occupation.
Trauma-informed and inclusive practice – building systems and services that respond holistically to people’s needs.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Lecturer in Occupational Therapy | University of South Australia |
| 2020 - 2022 | Head of Urban Programs | SAJIDA Foundation |
| 2018 - 2018 | Community Development Officer | Human Rights Department, Ministry of Cultural and Internal Affairs |
| 2016 - 2021 | Wirringka Tutor and Project Coordinator | University of South Australia |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 - 2011 | University of South Australia | Australia | Bachelor of Health Sciences: Occupational Therapy (Hons) |
| 2014 - 2018 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Doctor of Philosophy |
-
Co-designing a wellbeing intervention with rural young people, SA Dept of Human Services, 25/07/2024 - 01/07/2025
Courses I teach
- REHB 2049 Principles of Occupational Therapy Practice (2025)
- REHB 3043 Participatory Community Practice: Planning (2025)
- REHB 6014 Participatory Community Practice GE: Planning (2025)
- REHB 6015 Participatory Community Practice GE: Implementation (2025)
- REHB 4045 Participatory Community Practice: Implementation (2024)
- REHB 6014 Participatory Community Practice GE: Planning (2024)
- REHB 6015 Participatory Community Practice GE: Implementation (2024)
Programs I'm associated with
- IHOC - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
- IMOG - Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | - | Master of Philosophy | Master | Part Time | Alison Dermody |
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Supporting foster carers in using play as a therapeutic tool | Master of Research (Health Sciences) | Master | Part Time | Miss Rebecca Jane Smith |
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | What is known about group based, allied health run early childhood developmental support programs and their perceived value to parents? | Master of Research (Health Sciences) | Master | Part Time | Ms Zara Amy Soden |
Connect With Me
External Profiles
