MsEmma Cowie

Emma’s research focuses on paediatric occupational therapy practice, participation, and wellbeing for children and families. She is particularly interested in neurodiversity-affirming approaches that support children’s engagement and participation in everyday occupations across home, school, and community contexts.

Her research explores sensory processing, self-regulation, and interoception, with a particular focus on understanding how these factors influence children’s participation, emotional wellbeing, learning, and daily functioning. Emma is interested in advancing evidence-informed occupational therapy assessment and intervention approaches that support children, families, educators, and clinicians in meaningful and practical ways.

Emma also has a strong interest in interprofessional collaboration, particularly partnerships between occupational therapists and educators within school and community settings. Her work aims to strengthen collaborative practice, professional learning, and translational research that bridges gaps between research evidence and clinical practice.

In addition to her paediatric clinical research interests, Emma is interested in teaching and learning within occupational therapy education, including practice education, student engagement, professional identity development, and supports for new graduate occupational therapists. She is committed to collaborative and applied research that informs occupational therapy practice, education, and workforce development.