Dr. Sean Ledger
BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, FHEASnr Lect Physiotherapy (Cardiorespiratory)/HOC Physio-631726
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
34 - 1.05
I have a huge amount of energy for physiotherapy and exercise programmes that benefit children and adults with cardiorespiratory disease, and bring this passion to my teaching and research.
I thrive on working with dynamic and motivated students and work colleagues on challenging research questions, and as such am very interested in collaborations and discussing opportunities about postgraduate studies, so please feel free to contact me.
Background
I am Head of Course for Physiotherapy and Senior Lecturer in Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, and an early career researcher specialising in cystic fibrosis, lung function, and exercise in children with cardiorespiratory disease.
I have over 19 years of combined clinical experience and teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, paediatrics, sports medicine and rehabilitation and exercise science. I hold a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy from Trinity College Dublin, a MSc Advanced Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy from University College London and a PhD in Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy from University College London. My doctoral research at UCL focused on the longitudinal effects of individually supervised exercise on lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life in children with cystic fibrosis and I have presented my research at international respiratory and physiotherapy conferences.
Prior to joining CQUniversity I was the Programme Director for Rehabilitation and Exercise Science and a Lecturer in Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy at Keele University, UK. I spent 7 years at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital as a Senior Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist prior to joining Keele University.
I am President of the Council of Physiotherapy Deans Australia New Zealand, Chair of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) Education Providers Reference Committee, an Honorary Research Associate appointment in the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, and sit as an external advisor to a number of universities physiotherapy programmes. I was a visiting lecturer on the MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health, for the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health, UCL between 2015 - 2019. I was awarded a Fellowship of the UK Higher Education Academy in 2017. I am a registered member of the UK Health Care Professions Council, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Universities Studied At
2005 - 2009 BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, Trinity College Dublin
2009 - 2010 MSc Advanced Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, University College London
2013 - 2022 PhD (Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy), University College London
Universities Worked At
2018 - 2019 Programme Director for Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, Keele University, UK
2016 - 2019 Lecturer in Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, Keele University, UK
2010 - 2019 Visiting Lecturer, University College London
Awards
Research Awards
2017 WCPT Robert Williams International Award, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
2016 1st Prize, PhD Student Poster Competition, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UK
2015 Charitable Trust Educational Award for PhD, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, UK
2013 Finalist in Efficiency in Clinical Support Services, Health Service Journals Award, UK
2013 Finalist in Managing Long Term Conditions, Health Service Journals Award, UK
Teaching Excellence Awards
2021 Australian Awards for University Teaching (Citation), Australia
2020 Vice-Chancellor Tier 2 Award for Outstanding Contributions to Learning and Teaching, CQUniversity, Australia
202 Diamond Award, Student Unit and Teaching Evaluations, CQUniversity, Australia
2019 Student Choice Award for Learning and Teaching, Keele University, UK
2018 Student Choice Award for Learning and Teaching, Keele University, UK
2018 Excellence Award for Learning and Teaching, Keele University, UK
2017 Student Choice Award for Learning and Teaching, Keele University, UK
2017 Excellence Award for Learning and Teaching, Keele University, UK
2016 Excellence Awards for Learning and Teaching, Keele University, UK
Clinical Excellence Award
2009 Anne O’Brien Award, Clinical Excellence in Final Clinical Assessment, Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, Republic of Ireland
Previous teaching
2018 - 2019 Programme Director for Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, Keele University, UK
2016 - 2019 Lecturer in Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, Keele University, UK
2015 - 2019 Visiting Lecturer, MSc Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, UCL
2010 - 2016 Visiting Lecturer, MSc Advanced Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL
2010 - 2016 Visiting Lecturer, MSc Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL
Professional Experience
2010 - 2016 Senior Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
Professional Memberships
Member of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Australia
Australian Physiotherapy Association, Australia
Health and Care Professions Council, UK
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, UK
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK
Professional Interests
My special interest areas are cystic fibrosis, cardiac and respiratory disease, exercise, paediatrics, technology in health, leadership and its challenges, and health economics.
Computer Software
Microsoft Windows and Apple OS
Adobe Creative
SPSS
Microsoft Office
Accreditation
I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:
- 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
At the level of Principal Supervisor
Current Capacity
Allied health and rehabilitation science - Rehabilitation
Cystic Fibrosis, Respiratory, Exercise
