Symposium: Participation For All

Since 2018, Lena-Karin has been the Head of the School of Health and Welfare at Halmstad University, Sweden. She is a Professor of Occupational Therapy, and her research focuses on the relationship between people's everyday lives and their health. She investigates how daily activities—such as work, rest, caregiving, and leisure—form patterns that influence well-being and functioning. As part of her research, she co-developed the ValMO model (Value and Meaning in Occupations), a theoretical framework that is used in Swedish occupational therapy education. She is also the developer of the ReDO program (Re-designing Daily Occupations), a group intervention designed for individuals who need to make changes in their daily lives to promote health and support work participation. The ReDO program is currently used in Sweden and internationally and is the subject of ongoing research focusing on implementation and digital applications. In addition, Lena-Karin supervises doctoral students within the research area Health and Lifestyle at Halmstad University and in Occupational Therapy at Lund University. Her research continues to evolve, exploring new topics and target groups, while maintaining a consistent focus: everyday life as a foundation for health.

dr. Marieke Rothuizen-Lindenschot is Academic Director of the Occupational Therapy program.

She recently completed her PhD, focusing on how to appropriately assess what is “good enough” for children with mitochondrial disorders—rare metabolic conditions that affect the body’s ability to produce energy. Her research highlights that, despite their physical limitations, these children participate in similar types of activities and have the same core needs as their peers: autonomy, social connection, and opportunities to learn from others. Her work contributes to more inclusive and person-centred assessment approaches within pediatric occupational therapy.

I am Professor of Design and Creative Practice in Health and work across Social Science and the Arts and Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences at the University. My research focuses on the role of design in promoting quality of life and wellbeing, particularly in the context of people experiencing major life transitions. I am particularly interested in the role of the arts and creative practice in offering individuals living with dementia and their families an outlet for self-expression and a valued meaningful activity. I have written a number of books in this context including Meaningful Making: Journeying through Dementia, Exploring the Self through Photography and Creativity and Communication. I currently teach on the occupational therapy programme two days a week.