This is text information about the Elizabeth Casson Fellowship.
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We are excited to announce that Dr Lisa Taylor has been successful in becoming the Elizabeth Casson Fellow.
Lisa’s project is the development of an employability and career hub for occupational therapists: doing, being and becoming my best self.
The trustees believe Lisa’s project is an investment in our profession and its most valuable assets: YOU. The future of our profession depends greatly on OTs feeling valued, recognised and empowered and this is what Lisa’s project aims to contribute to.
Read more about Lisa’s project and how you can be involved here
To mark the Elizabeth Casson Trust’s 75th anniversary, the trustees have created the Elizabeth Casson Fellowship to celebrate the pioneering spirit of Dr Elizabeth Casson.
The Fellowship is a unique opportunity to embark on a substantial project that has the potential to further the profession in a significant and impactful way.
We hope that this opportunity will inspire an Occupational Therapist to be bold and innovative in Elizabeth’s name.
In the spirit of innovation and being bold, you can choose the project you would like to do. All that we ask is that it aligns with the Trust’s values of inclusivity, innovation and measured risk taking, and with our strategic intentions and projects. You may want to extend a project that the Elizabeth Casson Trust already offers or you may want to ‘plug a gap’ in our current offerings to occupational therapists and the profession.
The outcome of the project must deliver a tangible ‘product’ that has the potential to strategically strengthen the profession and create impact. It is envisaged that it will follow Elizabeth Casson’s leadership in pioneering and innovative work to advance the profession.
It is not anticipated that this will be a research project. Applicants looking for research funding should watch for our annual research call issued in February.
The Fellowship will offer an occupational therapist the opportunity to personally develop across the pillars of practice, grow in confidence and gain a stronger voice, becoming an impactful leader of the future. We will offer expert mentoring to support the Fellow, and network opportunities with leaders and influencers in our profession and beyond.
The Fellowship is open to UK based occupational therapists qualified for a minimum of 5-years. We welcome applicants from all areas of practice. You can design the Fellowship model – when and how the project is undertaken – but we ask that it takes no more than 2-years to complete, including delivery of any ‘product’ that will bring about change and impact.
It should be noted that the Elizabeth Casson Trust is a virtual organisation therefore you will deliver the project from your own location.
The funding for the Fellowship will be approved based on the project proposal, resources and time required. Our aim is that all project-related costs will be covered.
Before applying, we strongly advise that you learn more about the Elizabeth Casson Trust and our purpose, our strategy and objectives, and review the projects we already offer.
Once you have a project idea, it may be helpful to look at our masterclass for top-tips on how to pull your thoughts together and share them.
We also offer the opportunity to speak with a trustee if you have any questions about the Fellowship and encourage you to do this before drafting your application. Please contact Pam Anderson at to arrange this.
And finally, we ask that you confirm with your employer, if applicable, that they would support any time-release required for you to undertake the project (don’t forget, all project related costs can be included in your application).
Here at the Elizabeth Casson Trust, we are trying to present our information in different formats: written, pictorial/ graphical and spoken. We are doing this as we recognise that everyone has a preferred style for absorbing new information. We may not have it quite right for all, but we hope it is helpful and appreciate any constructive feedback you may have to inform our future work.
In the same way that we are presenting the information in different ways, we are happy to receive your application in a written, pictorial/ graphical or spoken format. All applications will be confidential and only viewed by the trustees.
Applications will be assessed against the following areas:
Applications must be received by 1 September 2023 and you will be notified if we would like to invite you to the next stage of the application process by 15 September 2023.
The second stage asks you to add more detail to the proposal by 9 October 2023, and to meet with the trustees on 17 October 2023 to discuss your project. The final decision on the Fellowship will be made on 18 October 2023.
What does a written application look like?
We have not given word limits for the submission however we encourage you to write succinctly and clearly. Your application can be submitted as a single document (word or pdf file) but be sure that you use the headings below to signpost and guide the assessors.
What does a pictorial/ graphical application look like?
We have tried to show how this application might look through the images on this page, though these are only examples and you are free to use your own style. You may submit a PPT, Canva or other file. Please use a new image for each of the headings below. A short document with bullet points can support your image, if needed.
What does a spoken application sound like?
There is no time limit for your answers to each heading but we advise you to be clear and concise in your explanations. You may supplement your auditory file with a simple presentation (eg PPT) to help guide the assessors as they consider your application. Be sure to state clearly when you move from addressing one heading to the next. You may submit an MP3 or MP4 file via WeTransfer
So that we can evaluate each application fairly, we ask that you format your application under the headings listed in the section below. Whether you submit a written application, a pictorial/ graphical application or a spoken application, please be sure to address the points within each heading.
The project
The Outcome of the project
How you would deliver the project
Resources for delivering the project
About you
Together with your application, we ask you to:
Your application should be submitted to Pam Anderson copying Suzanne Rowlands no later than 17:00 BST on 1 September 2023. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt.
The text of this document can be downloaded here.
The slides of key points can be downloaded here.
Many thanks to Dr Ginny Stacey who helped with advice on inclusivity for neurodiversity.
