Yeliz Prior

Contact Details

PO.54 Brian Blatchford
Frederick Rd Campus
University of Salford
M6 6PU

Y.Prior@salford.ac.uk

Current positions

Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation

Biography

Yeliz is a Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation and the Research Environment Lead at the School of Health and Society. As an occupational therapist and a skilled mixed-methods researcher, she is dedicated to improving outcomes and quality of life for those with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions.

Yeliz' research is informed by real-life experiences, achieved through extensive patient and public involvement and engagement, which serves to amplify the voices of diverse groups in examining current policies and practices for the improvement of service provision. Her research also explores the transformative potential of digital health solutions and leads online self-management programs like www.mskhub.com and www.workwelluk.org.

Areas of Research

Current research involves the effective management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions, work/ vocational rehabilitation and the use of digital health technologies and wearables to enable wider access to health information, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and self-management.

Areas of Supervision

Currently accepting applications from PhD candidates for the following project.

Project title: Improving access to work for people with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Work problems are common in people with arthritis. Up to half of people with inflammatory arthritis stop working within 10 years due to their condition and up to 67% report presenteeism (i.e., reduced work productivity), even when their disease in remission. Working people with osteoarthritis also experience difficulties at work due to pain and activity limitation, with little access to workplace accommodations or support. Employers need to be educated to support employees to create a positive work environment and promote available workplace support.

We are known for world-leading research in rheumatology rehabilitation and would welcome PhD candidates interested in identifying challenges and opportunities to improve access to work for all people with RMD, specifically those from underserved communities towards a more inclusive workforce. We are seeking for applicants from a background across allied and health professions, nursing, social sciences, medicine, health economics, and public health with interest in work and health.

Teaching Qualifications and Recognitions Publications

Teaching

Previously, Yeliz led the taught programme for the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Prosthetics and Orthotics (2019–2024), a collaboration between the University of Salford, Imperial College London, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Southampton, alongside 25+ global industry partners.

Currently, Yeliz supervises postgraduate students and mentors nurses and allied health professionals interested in research. She also contributes to textbook authorship and educational materials focused on clinical education and digital health management. Her latest textbooks include:
•Curtin, M., Egan, M., Prior, Y., Parnell, T., Cezar Da Cruz, D., Sauvé-Schenk, K., & Galvaan, R. (2024). Occupational Therapy for People Experiencing Illness, Injury, or Impairment (8th Ed.). Elsevier. ISBN: 9780323882927

•Prior, Y. & Wynn, M. (2023). Chapter 7: Digital Innovation in Healthcare. In: Digital Skills for Nursing Studies and Practice. Sage Publishing, Transforming Nursing Practice Series. ISBN: 9781529791914

Yeliz continues to advance clinical education, research, and digital health innovation, shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals

Qualifications and Recognitions

Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Academic Practice
2013 - 2014
PhD (Epidemiology)
2008 - 2012
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
2005 - 2008

Recognitions

Royal College of Occupational Therapists Merit Award

Publications

View all Publications

Prof Yeliz Prior