MsAlexandra Kearney

With over a decade of clinical experience in diverse Australian mental health settings, my research is grounded in real-world practice and focused on improving services and outcomes for individuals with severe and enduring mental illness. My professional background spans inpatient, community, and residential care, as well as specialist roles in training, consultation, and service development with the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED). I currently serve as the Chief Occupational Therapist at Royal Melbourne Hospital – Mental Health Services.

My research agenda is shaped by the lived experiences of service users and the practical needs of frontline clinicians. I am committed to producing applied, translational research that enhances occupational engagement and psychosocial wellbeing, particularly for populations at risk of social and functional marginalisation due to mental ill-health. What distinguishes my work is this integration of frontline practice with research, ensuring that evidence is both relevant and implementable.

My collaborations are primarily within public mental health services and include clinicians, service designers, and researchers who share a commitment to practice-informed inquiry. This work has local and national significance, and is increasingly relevant to broader international conversations about occupational therapy, recovery-oriented care, and system responsiveness in mental health.