Michelle is a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the Geelong Waterfront campus. Prior to taking up this role in 2003, Michelle worked in a range of occupational therapy clinical, management and consultancy positions. During her time at Deakin University, Michelle’s teaching and learning activities have been primarily in Level Four and Three of the occupational therapy program. Her research has investigated professional issues (for example, competence, mentoring and student transition to practice) and wellbeing for women participating in craft. More recently, Michelle has focused her research activities on the occupation of contemporary pilgrimage.
Unit Chair and teach HSO302 and HSO303 as well as teach into other occupational therapy unit as required (for, example contributing to HSO401, HSO404 and HSO102). Michelle also teaches into the theme of Doctors, Peoples, Cultures and Institutions (School of Medicine).
Michelle’s principal research interest is the multidimensional, diverse and rapidly evolving occupation of contemporary pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is a journey of great personal significance. Internationally, there are examples of health insurance companies, governments and health colleagues in nursing, psychology as well as medicine recognising participation in pilgrimage as offering substantive, positive outcomes for health and wellbeing. Performing the occupation of pilgrimage can involve the corporeal (human movement or use of transportation), objects (including funds), cyber-space, armchair study and viewing, delegation/vicarious linkages, imagination and fantasy, stationary pilgrimage (contact with passing pilgrims) and metaphor.
Understanding the relationship between the occupation of pilgrimage and the experience of wellbeing is the focus of Michelle’s investigation. Her research interest was initially inspired by her time on the increasingly popular, World Heritage pilgrimage route known as El Camino de Santiago de Compostela (also known as The Way of St James - a series of pilgrimage routes throughout Europe that lead into France and Spain culminating at the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela). Michelle has logged over 1800 kilometers on the Camino since 2009.
Memberships
Occupational Therapy Australia
World Federation of Occupational Therapy
Confraternity of St James, United Kingdom
Australian Friends of the Camino
American Pilgrims on the Camino
Canadian Company of Pilgrims
Service to the University, discipline or community
Over the years Ms Courtney’s service has variously involved Academic Progress Committee, School Executive Group and OT Advisory Board through to involvement in Victorian Fieldwork Forum, MentorLink Program, CWA and Red Cross.
Conferences
Refereed Conference Presentations
Courtney, M. (2011). The Way to enable: an occupational perspective on contemporary pilgrimage. OT Australia 24th National Conference and Exhibition, Gold Coast, Australia. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58(1), 75.
Courtney, M. (2010). The Way to wellbeing: an occupational perspective on contemporary pilgrimage. OT Australia Victoria State Conference-Transitions and Transformations: Developing Through Change, p. 1, Melbourne, Australia.
Schmidt, R. & Courtney, M. (2010). ... always another thing to get enthused about … : an occupational perspective on the experience of wellbeing through women’s craft groups. OT Australia Victoria State Conference-Transitions and Transformations: Developing Through Change, p. 1, Melbourne, Australia.
Schmidt, R. & Courtney, M. (2010). Crafting together for sustainable wellness in Australia. 15th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, Santiago, Chile.
Courtney, M. (2010). Building and sharing the Insider perspective on our community of practice for new graduates in Australia. 15th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, Santiago, Chile.
Courtney, M., & Pascoe, J. (2010). Information for new graduates: introducing an innovative resource book entitled INSIDEmyJOB-Insider information for early career occupational therapists. 15th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, Santiago, Chile.
Courtney, M. & Pascoe, J. (2008). Information for new graduates: introducing and innovative resource book. OT Australia 23rd National Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia.
Courtney, M., Giles, S., Larkin, H. & Lake, H. (2008). Working together for excellence in entry-level selection. OT Australia 23rd National Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia.
Courtney, M. & Pascoe, J. (2008). New bulls join the herd: introducing an innovative information resource for new graduates, 2008 National SARRAH Conference-Many Paddocks: One Herd, SARRAH, Australia.
Allen, R., McKinstry, C., Courtney, M. & Oke, L. (2006). Clinical governance for the occupational therapy profession in Australia. 14th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapist, Sydney, Australia.
Courtney, M., & Farnworth, L. (2003). Professional fellowship in occupational therapy private practice. OT Australia 22nd National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
Courtney, M., & Farnworth, L. (2002). Professional competence: the significance of theory for private practice. 13th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, Stockholm, Sweden.
Courtney, M., & Farnworth, L. (2001). Professional competence for private practitioners in occupational therapy. OT Australia 21st National Conference, Brisbane, Australia.
Invited Conference Presentations
Courtney, M. (2008). Information for new graduates: introducing and innovative resource book. Presentation and discussion at the OT Australia Annual General Meeting, Melbourne, Australia.
Courtney, M. (2008). Information for new graduates: introducing and innovative resource book. Presentation and panel discussion at the OT Australia 23rd National Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia.
Accredited Specialist Special Interest Group (2003). Progress report from Accredited Specialist Special Interest Group. Panel discussion at the OT Australia 22nd National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
Accredited Specialist Special Interest Group (2003). Progress report from Accredited Specialist Special Interest Group. OT Australia 22nd National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.Stockholm, Sweden.
