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 sensory training using multimodal/augmented feedback, body image and awareness after stroke, as well as service models and access to rehabilitation. The influence of rehabilitation on neuroplasticity is also a focus. Her work is often interdisciplinary as she seeks to improve and broaden recovery - for example collaborating with colleagues in the arts and with people with lived experience. Susan also has an interest in movement education and intervention approaches for other ... 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 sensory training using multimodal/augmented feedback, body image and awareness after stroke, as well as service models and access to rehabilitation. The influence of rehabilitation on neuroplasticity is also a focus. Her work is often interdisciplinary as she seeks to improve and broaden recovery - for example collaborating with colleagues in the arts and with people with lived experience. 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.
Her two current MRFF-funded trials include a pragmatic RCT investigating the use of student-led health coaching, care navigation and social prescription service for people with chronic conditions, and a second developing a novel switching and exoskeleton device to augment walking rehabilitation for people after severe stroke. As well as conducting clinical trials to produce primary evidence, Susan has published many systematic reviews for comparative effectiveness as well as clinical measurement (vestibular rehabilitation, HIV, self-management after stroke, task-specific training).
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 25 candidates to completion in PhD programs in Australia and overseas, and currently has 10 candidates.
Her previous roles at the University of South Australia have included Dean: Research for the Division of Health Science and more recently Executive Dean (acting) 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.
Healthy Choices, MRFF - Clinical Trials and Registries, 01/07/2024 - 31/05/2026
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
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
2
1
|
| 2024 |
Open access
9
6
|
| 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
8
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
4
4
|
| 2022 |
Open access
3
3
3
|
| 2022 |
Open access
3
3
22
|
| 2022 |
1
2
|
| 2022 |
Open access
6
7
3
|
| 2022 |
Open access
48
49
23
|
| 2021 |
Open access
12
12
7
|
| 2021 |
Open access
11
|
| 2021 |
Open access
30
28
91
|
| 2021 |
Open access
19
18
13
|
| 2021 |
Open access
10
9
58
|
| 2021 |
5
5
10
|
| 2021 |
Open access
4
|
| 2021 |
Open access
11
12
17
|
| 2021 |
Open access
22
22
8
|
| 2020 |
49
|
| 2020 |
24
23
8
|
| 2020 |
41
35
14
|
| 2020 |
4
1
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
7
6
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
36
34
8
|
| 2019 |
Open access
32
31
38
|
| 2019 |
Open access
8
6
7
|
| 2019 |
Open access
7
6
3
|
| 2019 |
Open access
22
21
9
|
| 2019 |
Open access
43
42
|
| 2019 |
13
13
19
|
| 2018 |
Open access
34
28
24
|
| 2018 |
Open access
1
1
4
|
| 2018 |
8
4
3
|
| 2018 |
Open access
19
18
|
| 2018 |
Open access
9
9
2
|
| 2018 |
12
12
62
|
| 2018 |
2
3
55
|
| 2018 |
Open access
22
14
|
| 2018 |
Open access
55
52
79
|
| 2018 |
Open access
7
5
2
|
| 2017 |
5
6
6
|
| 2017 |
Open access
8
5
9
|
| 2017 |
Open access
38
52
59
|
| 2017 |
Open access
32
29
13
|
| 2017 |
Open access
52
50
22
|
| 2017 |
Open access
41
39
1
|
| 2017 |
Open access
21
21
122
|
| 2017 |
Open access
119
113
37
|
| 2017 |
30
29
26
|
| 2017 |
Open access
85
76
10
|
| 2017 |
Open access
52
50
40
|
| 2017 |
Open access
14
30
44
|
| 2017 |
Open access
55
54
2
|
| 2017 |
30
28
54
|
| 2017 |
8
8
14
|
| 2017 |
4
4
|
| 2016 |
11
11
9
|
| 2016 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2016 |
Open access
28
31
34
|
| 2016 |
Open access
2
3
|
| 2016 |
Open access
19
14
1
|
| 2016 |
Open access
82
152
35
|
| 2016 |
Open access
20
20
5
|
| 2016 |
Open access
23
21
5
|
| 2016 |
Open access
26
25
8
|
| 2016 |
Open access
33
31
15
|
| 2016 |
Open access
20
20
1
|
| 2016 |
47
44
2
|
| 2016 |
Open access
15
15
25
|
| 2016 |
Open access
298
281
29
|
| 2015 |
|
| 2015 |
Open access
17
17
4
|
| 2015 |
Open access
25
56
19
|
| 2015 |
Open access
21
16
25
|
| 2015 |
Open access
35
25
53
|
| 2015 |
217
194
23
|
| 2015 |
Open access
5
6
1
|
| 2015 |
26
26
4
|
| 2015 |
Open access
2
3
|
| 2015 |
Open access
123
211
39
|
| 2014 |
33
31
|
| 2014 |
Open access
21
20
24
|
| 2014 |
Open access
24
22
8
|
| 2014 |
Open access
67
53
|
| 2014 |
60
56
5
|
| 2014 |
Open access
10
7
3
|
| 2013 |
Open access
97
1
|
| 2013 |
14
14
|
| 2013 |
Open access
33
33
|
| 2013 |
7
7
|
| 2013 |
Open access
86
83
|
| 2013 |
20
16
|
| 2013 |
Open access
42
39
|
| 2012 |
56
48
|
| 2012 |
Open access
81
61
|
| 2012 |
Open access
65
59
|
| 2011 |
11
7
|
| 2011 |
Open access
44
36
|
| 2011 |
29
26
|
| 2011 |
54
46
|
| 2011 |
|
| 2011 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2011 |
Open access
16
15
|
| 2011 |
Open access
4
4
|
| 2011 |
Open access
108
100
|
| 2011 |
257
140
|
| 2011 |
Open access
35
29
|
| 2010 |
Open access
|
| 2010 |
105
99
|
| 2010 |
28
|
| 2010 |
7
8
|
| 2010 |
Open access
|
| 2010 |
|
| 2010 |
50
51
|
| 2010 |
49
40
|
| 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 |
151
129
|
| 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 |
