Professor Susan Hillier is an academic and clinician with teaching and research interests in the broad field of neuroscience and rehabilitation. One of her main research areas is on the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches after stroke - this includes the role of afferent stimulation or training using multimodal feedback, as well as models of rehabilitation and access to rehabilitation. The influence of rehabilitation on neuroplasticity is also a focus. Susan also has an interest in movement education and intervention approaches for other populations such as children with developmental coordination disorder or people who are ageing. As well as conducting clinical trials to produce primary evidence, Susan also is an... Read more
About me
Professor Susan Hillier is an academic and clinician with teaching and research interests in the broad field of neuroscience and rehabilitation. One of her main research areas is on the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches after stroke - this includes the role of afferent stimulation or training using multimodal feedback, as well as models of rehabilitation and access to rehabilitation. The influence of rehabilitation on neuroplasticity is also a focus. Susan also has an interest in movement education and intervention approaches for other populations such as children with developmental coordination disorder or people who are ageing. As well as conducting clinical trials to produce primary evidence, Susan also is an experienced Cochrane reviewer (vestibular rehabilitation, HIV, self-management after stroke, task-specific training) and has published many systematic reviews for comparative effectiveness trials as well as clinical measurement.
Susan still maintains a small private practice at the University and contributes to the community through her work with stroke organisations locally and nationally. She teaches regularly in Australia and internationally to assist clinicians to implement best practice. She has supervised 21 candidates to completion in PhD programs in Australia and overseas, and currently has five candidates.
Her current role at the University of South Australia is Dean: Research for UniSA: Allied Health and Human Performance.
About me
Member of the Stroke Society of Australasia and the World Stroke Society
Member of The Australian Feldenkrais Guild Inc
Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
About me
Doctor of Philosophy (Physiotherapy) University of South Australia
Bachelor of Applied Science South Australian Institute of Technology
Neuroscience (clinical), Neuroplasticity, Recovery from neurological insult, Rehabilitation, Motor control and motor learning
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
The feasibility and potential of a novel robotic gait bioprosthesis for people with severe gait impairment post-stroke., Medical Research Future Fund, 01/06/2022 - 31/05/2025
Fellowship re What makes cities healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable? Lessons from Latin America., The Wellcome Trust, 01/03/2021 - 30/04/2025
A network of sites and ‘up-skilled’ therapists to deliver best practice stroke rehabilitation of the upper limb., NHMRC - Partnership Project, 01/09/2017 - 31/08/2023
Rapid Review - Allied health services for older people with mental illness: A report on the current issues and evidence to inform the development of services, SA Dept of Health, 20/03/2023 - 31/05/2023
New Hope for Post-Stroke Depression Treatment: Evaluating and optimising a promising brain-based therapy, Breakthrough Mental Health Foundation/UniSA ¿ Seed Funding, 01/12/2020 - 31/03/2022
State-wide development, training and translation of evidence-informed practice and research into SA Health allied health clinical practice, SA Health, 01/07/2019 - 30/06/2021
Understanding and measuring quality in brain injury rehabilitation, Lifetime Support Authority, 02/06/2017 - 31/10/2018
Implementing a client-centred wellness model for stroke survivors, ECH Incorporated, 01/07/2016 - 30/04/2017
Early active arm movement to drive cortical reorganisation following stroke, The Ian Potter Foundation, 01/05/2015 - 31/08/2016
Healthy lifestyle choices for stroke prevention, The Nancy and Vic Allen Stroke Prevention Fund, 01/07/2015 - 30/06/2016
SA health stroke unit implmentation analysis, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 01/06/2015 - 30/06/2016
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2024 |
Open access
2
2
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
1
8
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
|
| 2024 |
|
| 2024 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2024 |
Open access
4
|
| 2024 |
Open access
6
|
| 2023 |
Open access
12
|
| 2023 |
7
7
2
|
| 2023 |
Open access
2
2
|
| 2023 |
3
|
| 2023 |
Open access
2
2
|
| 2023 |
Open access
1
1
11
|
| 2022 |
6
6
1
|
| 2022 |
Open access
1
1
1
|
| 2022 |
9
7
|
| 2022 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2022 |
Open access
1
1
9
|
| 2022 |
Open access
3
3
|
| 2022 |
Open access
1
1
3
|
| 2022 |
Open access
2
2
22
|
| 2022 |
1
2
|
| 2022 |
Open access
6
7
3
|
| 2022 |
Open access
44
46
23
|
| 2021 |
Open access
12
12
7
|
| 2021 |
Open access
11
|
| 2021 |
Open access
30
27
91
|
| 2021 |
Open access
19
17
13
|
| 2021 |
Open access
9
8
58
|
| 2021 |
5
5
10
|
| 2021 |
Open access
4
|
| 2021 |
Open access
9
10
17
|
| 2021 |
Open access
21
22
8
|
| 2020 |
49
|
| 2020 |
24
23
8
|
| 2020 |
37
31
14
|
| 2020 |
4
1
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
7
6
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
36
34
8
|
| 2019 |
Open access
32
30
38
|
| 2019 |
Open access
6
5
7
|
| 2019 |
Open access
6
6
3
|
| 2019 |
Open access
22
21
9
|
| 2019 |
Open access
42
42
|
| 2019 |
13
12
19
|
| 2018 |
Open access
34
28
24
|
| 2018 |
Open access
1
1
4
|
| 2018 |
6
2
3
|
| 2018 |
Open access
17
17
|
| 2018 |
Open access
9
9
2
|
| 2018 |
12
12
62
|
| 2018 |
2
3
55
|
| 2018 |
Open access
21
14
|
| 2018 |
Open access
55
52
79
|
| 2018 |
Open access
7
5
2
|
| 2017 |
5
6
6
|
| 2017 |
Open access
7
4
9
|
| 2017 |
Open access
38
51
59
|
| 2017 |
Open access
30
27
13
|
| 2017 |
Open access
51
49
22
|
| 2017 |
Open access
41
39
1
|
| 2017 |
Open access
21
21
122
|
| 2017 |
Open access
118
112
37
|
| 2017 |
30
29
26
|
| 2017 |
Open access
82
74
10
|
| 2017 |
Open access
51
50
40
|
| 2017 |
Open access
14
29
44
|
| 2017 |
Open access
54
53
2
|
| 2017 |
30
28
54
|
| 2017 |
8
8
14
|
| 2017 |
4
4
|
| 2016 |
11
11
9
|
| 2016 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2016 |
Open access
27
31
34
|
| 2016 |
Open access
2
3
|
| 2016 |
Open access
18
14
1
|
| 2016 |
Open access
78
150
35
|
| 2016 |
Open access
20
20
5
|
| 2016 |
Open access
23
21
5
|
| 2016 |
Open access
26
24
8
|
| 2016 |
Open access
32
30
15
|
| 2016 |
Open access
19
20
1
|
| 2016 |
46
44
2
|
| 2016 |
Open access
15
15
25
|
| 2016 |
Open access
291
279
29
|
| 2015 |
|
| 2015 |
Open access
16
17
4
|
| 2015 |
Open access
25
54
19
|
| 2015 |
Open access
21
16
25
|
| 2015 |
Open access
35
25
53
|
| 2015 |
209
189
23
|
| 2015 |
Open access
5
6
1
|
| 2015 |
26
26
4
|
| 2015 |
Open access
2
3
|
| 2015 |
Open access
122
208
39
|
| 2014 |
33
30
|
| 2014 |
Open access
21
20
24
|
| 2014 |
Open access
24
22
8
|
| 2014 |
Open access
62
52
|
| 2014 |
60
56
5
|
| 2014 |
Open access
10
7
3
|
| 2013 |
Open access
94
1
|
| 2013 |
14
14
|
| 2013 |
Open access
33
33
|
| 2013 |
7
7
|
| 2013 |
Open access
85
82
|
| 2013 |
19
15
|
| 2013 |
Open access
40
38
|
| 2012 |
53
48
|
| 2012 |
Open access
81
61
|
| 2012 |
Open access
65
59
|
| 2011 |
11
7
|
| 2011 |
Open access
44
36
|
| 2011 |
28
25
|
| 2011 |
53
46
|
| 2011 |
|
| 2011 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2011 |
Open access
16
15
|
| 2011 |
Open access
4
4
|
| 2011 |
Open access
107
100
|
| 2011 |
253
140
|
| 2011 |
Open access
35
29
|
| 2010 |
Open access
|
| 2010 |
104
99
|
| 2010 |
28
|
| 2010 |
7
8
|
| 2010 |
Open access
|
| 2010 |
|
| 2010 |
50
51
|
| 2010 |
48
39
|
| 2009 |
Open access
|
| 2009 |
14
13
|
| 2009 |
19
|
| 2009 |
English, CK & Hillier, SL 2009, 'Circuit class therapy for improving mobility after stroke (protocol)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. |
| 2009 |
8
7
|
| 2009 |
12
9
|
| 2009 |
1
2
|
| 2009 |
150
128
|
| 2008 |
Civetta, LR & Hillier, SL 2008, 'The developmental coordination disorder questionnaire and movement assessment battery for children as a diagnostic method in Australian children', Pediatric Physical Therapy. |
| 2008 |
Open access
|
| 2008 |
3
3
|
| 2008 |
Open access
8
18
|
Research
Neuroscience (clinical), Neuroplasticity, Recovery from neurological insult, Rehabilitation, Motor control and motor learning
past Chair, SA Stroke Statewide Network
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Women's Advisory Group | AUSTRALIA |
| Arizona State University | UNITED STATES |
| Austin Health | AUSTRALIA |
| Australian Catholic University | AUSTRALIA |
| Australian National University | AUSTRALIA |
| Australian Wound Management Association Inc. | AUSTRALIA |
| Biotext Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
| Cape Town South Africa | SOUTH AFRICA |
| Carers SA | AUSTRALIA |
| Catholic University of Leuven | BELGIUM |
| Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated | AUSTRALIA |
| Central Australian Aboriginal Congress | AUSTRALIA |
| Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery | AUSTRALIA |
| Charles Sturt University | AUSTRALIA |
| Childrens Hospital at Westmead | AUSTRALIA |
| Christian Medical College | INDIA |
| Clarkson University | UNITED STATES |
| Consumer Representative | AUSTRALIA |
| Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
| Delsys Inc. | UNITED STATES |
| Duke University | UNITED STATES |
| ECH Incorporated | AUSTRALIA |
| Edith Cowan University | AUSTRALIA |
| Erasmus MC, Rotterdam | NETHERLANDS |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | NETHERLANDS |
| Flinders Medical Centre | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health | AUSTRALIA |
| George Institute for Global Health | AUSTRALIA |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre | AUSTRALIA |
| Health Consumer Representative | AUSTRALIA |
| Health Performance Council | AUSTRALIA |
| Health Technology Analysts Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
| Heart Foundation of Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Huggins Hospital | UNITED STATES |
| Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Isfahan University of Medical Sciences | IRAN |
| King's College London | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Ku Leuven | BELGIUM |
| La Trobe University | AUSTRALIA |
| Laval University | CANADA |
| Menzies School of Health Research | AUSTRALIA |
| Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
| Movement Learning and Rehabilitation | UNITED STATES |
| Murdoch University | AUSTRALIA |
| National Disability Insurance Agency | AUSTRALIA |
| National Stroke Foundation | AUSTRALIA |
| National Stroke Research Institute | AUSTRALIA |
| Neuromoves | AUSTRALIA |
| Neuroscience Research Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council | AUSTRALIA |
| Northern Adelaide Local Health Network | AUSTRALIA |
| Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine | UNITED STATES |
| Oxford Brookes University | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science | AUSTRALIA |
| Private Individual | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Queensland Health | AUSTRALIA |
| Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
| Red Cross Childrens Hospital | SOUTH AFRICA |
| Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal District Nursing Service SA | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal Park Stroke Unit | AUSTRALIA |
| SA Health | AUSTRALIA |
| Safer Care Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
| Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute | UNITED STATES |
| South Australian Department of Health | AUSTRALIA |
| South Australian Health and Medical and Research Institute (SAHMRI) | AUSTRALIA |
| St Vincents Hospital | UNITED STATES |
| Stellenbosch University | SOUTH AFRICA |
| The Queen Elizabeth Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| University Medicine Greifswald | GERMANY |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | UNITED STATES |
| University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien | AUSTRIA |
| University of British Columbia | CANADA |
| University of Cape Town | SOUTH AFRICA |
| University of Central Lancashire | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Grenoble | FRANCE |
| University of Ibadan | NIGERIA |
| University of Manchester | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Newcastle | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Otago | NEW ZEALAND |
| University of Oxford | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Pennsylvania | UNITED STATES |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Tasmania | AUSTRALIA |
| University of the Western Cape | SOUTH AFRICA |
| University of Warwick | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Western Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | UNITED STATES |
| University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
| Whitman College | UNITED STATES |
| Women's and Children's Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Conventions Adelaide Grant AwardGuideline International Network |
2017 |
MemberAustralian Feldenkrais Guild Inc |
2017 |
MemberAustralian Physiotherapy Association (APA) |
2017 |
MemberStroke Society of Australasia and the World Stroke Society |
2017 |
Examples of invited workshops in the past five years:
The ubiquity of Neuroplasticity. Melbourne, 2015
Stroke Rehabilitation. INTI University, Malaysia, 2016
Body Image - public workshop, Adelaide 2017
Vestibular rehabilitation - Country Health SA 2018
Upper limb rehabilitation - Chennai 2018
Research into Clinical Practice - CALHN, Adelaide 2019.
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| 110302 - The 'iSToP Pain' project: Investigating the Impact of Sensory Training on Persistent Pain | Current |
| Auricular vagus nerve stimulation paired with physiotherapy: a novel approach for enhancing walking and balance recovery after stroke | Current |
| Bootcamp: An innovative, co-designed, stroke recovery program | Current |
| Co-designing an innovative home exercise platform for upper-limb recovery | Current |
| Exploring clinically and easily transferrable methods to promote neuroplasticity and improve motor learning in stroke | Current |
| Investigating co-design in paediatric therapy: development of an augmented reality gaming intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) | Current |
| Qualitative inquiry into the decision-making processes for lower extremity amputation in people with diabetes | Current |
| Screening and assessment of spatial neglect in adults post stroke | Current |
| The impact and influence breathing awareness has on movement quality for those with chronic pain. | Current |
| `Being the Best Learner You Can Be': a randomized controlled trial of a neuroscience-based primary school program | Completed |
| An investigation into sensation and body awareness after stroke | Completed |
| Can we do better? Optimising the clinical management of low back pain | Completed |
| Cognitive reserve and stroke recovery | Completed |
| Developmental coordination disorder - do personnel and environment impact on intervention outcomes for this condition? | Completed |
| Developmental coordination disorder: identification methods and investigation of selected aspects of motor control | Completed |
| Heartfelt way: characterising Aboriginal women¿s cardiovascular health protection and risk to inform health service and system responses | Completed |
| Identification and management of four-year-old children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) | Completed |
| Implementing the Assessment for Rehabilitation Tool in Australian acute stroke units. A mixed methods cluster randomised trial. | Completed |
| Investigating the theoretical assumptions of the imprecision hypothesis of chronic pain | Completed |
| Making `sense¿ of dexterity: Its role in scalpel skill acquisition in podiatry students | Completed |
| Responses to troublesome aspects of knowledge and practice: a grounded theory of learning-to-practice occupational therapy | Completed |
| The clinical management of plantar fasciopathy: considerations in diagnosis and foot orthotic treatment effect | Completed |
| What are the benefits of robotic-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapy? A randomised controlled clinical trial in children with acquired brain injury. | Completed |
