Aliki Thomas
Researcher, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR)
Dr. Aliki Thomas is an occupational therapist, Professor in the School of Physical Occupational Therapy (SPOT), cross-appointed scientist at McGill’s Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE) and researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR). She holds a Canada Research Chair in Education, Practice and Policy for Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC) from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and leads an internationally recognized research program that addresses the underutilization of scientific findings in practice. Her research aims to bring key stakeholders from education, practice and health policy to synergistically co-develop, implement, and test innovative strategies that will lead to equitable, person-centred, and evidence-informed rehabilitation services. Her pioneering work at the nexus of education and practice has yielded transformative insights into how occupational therapy programs can more effectively prepare learners for their roles as scholarly practitioners. Her research also offers critical perspectives on how occupational therapists in the field understand, engage with, and apply evidence. By facilitating collaboration among pivotal stakeholders in education, practice, and health policy, Dr. Thomas is advancing the development and implementation of innovative, equitable, and person-centred occupational therapy services. Dr. Thomas has published over 160 peer-reviewed papers, 7 book chapters and several technical reports, and has delivered over 225 conference presentations and 100 invited talks, including 23 keynote addresses. She has received 44 research grants as principal or co-principal investigator (valued at more than $7M) and 32 as co-investigator (valued at more than $5M). She is the founder and director of the Knowledge Exchange and Education in the Health Professions (K.E.E.P) lab; she has supervised 11 postdoctoral fellows, 7 PhD students, and 4 master’s students in the areas of Health Sciences Education, EBHC, and KT.