Professor Katrina Bannigan to give 2024 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture

Internationally-renowned Glasgow Caledonian University occupational therapist (OT) researcher and educator Professor Katrina Bannigan has been invited to give the 2024 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) only awards the lectureship to a member whose peers consider them to have made and be making a significant contribution to the profession's development.

With over 26 years' expertise, Professor Bannigan was awarded because of her "impactful leadership which has greatly fuelled the growth of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy".

She was nominated by Janice McClymont, Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS) Honorary Fellow and occupational therapist at NHS Lanarkshire.

Janice said Professor Bannigan's "expertise not only inspires students and colleagues but also the entire OT community to adopt evidence-based practices by merging research, practice and education for meaningful impact".

The prestigious lecture will take place online in April 2024. The lecture is a memorial to Elizabeth Casson (1881–1954) in honour of her contributions to the profession of occupational therapy.

Elizabeth Casson was the first woman to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Bristol in 1929, and specialised in psychiatry and introduced occupational therapy in England, setting up the first school of occupational therapy, Dorset House, in Bristol.

Professor Bannigan said: "I am humbled to have been nominated and even more so to have been chosen to do the Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture.

"It is an incredible opportunity to play a small part in Elizabeth Casson's legacy to the profession. I am looking forward to the challenge and will do my best to justify the faith that has been placed in me."

Dr Alexandra Mavroeidi, Reader and Head of the Department Occupational Therapy and Human Nutrition and Dietetics in the school of Health and Life Sciences, is "delighted" that Professor Bannigan is involved in this prestigious event.

"It's a true testament to her hard work and commitment to the OT profession over the years. GCU has always been at the forefront of OT research, practice and education in the UK. As the Head of Department, it is highly rewarding to see one of our own being recognised in such a manner for their contribution to the sector," she said.

Earlier this year Professor Bannigan was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists in recognition of her "extensive contribution" to the profession.

The Professor of Occupational Therapy, a researcher in the SHLS Research Centre for Health (ReaCH), received the profession's "highest honour" and was described as "outstanding".