Dr Aislinn Lalor
Dr Aislinn Lalor
PhD BOT(Hons) GradDipBiostats AAGF
Senior Research Fellow – RAIL Research Centre
Senior Lecturer – Department of Occupational Therapy, Monash University.
Dr Aislinn Lalor is a Senior Research Fellow in the Rehabilitation, Ageing, and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Monash University. Dr Lalor was born and educated in regional Western Australia before initially working in the banking industry and an extended period overseas. As a mature age student, Dr Lalor completed her Bachelor's degree with honours by research at Monash University in 2008 in the first cohort of occupational therapists from Monash University. As a qualified occupational therapist, Dr Lalor worked in a diverse range of health and community settings, before completing her PhD at Monash University in November 2017. Her PhD studies explored “the impact of hospitalisation on sleep quality for older adults during and following their transition from hospital” as well as the ongoing consequence on their re-engagement in their everyday occupations.
From 2010, Dr Lalor has worked in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Monash University and commenced full-time as a Lecturer in 2016. She has significantly contributed to curriculum redevelopment in both first and second-year units, particularly the inclusion of people with lived experience within practical classes. Her contribution to the School of Primary and Allied Health Care was recognised with an Education Committee Award for Academic Excellence in 2021 and a Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education in 2023. In 2024, her work in the “We Are Well” intergenerational and interdisciplinary program, enhancing health and wellbeing through strength-based approaches and in collaboration with Indigenous artists was recognised with the Faculty of Education’s Excellence Award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Dr Lalor's research work in both the RAIL Research Centre and the Department of Occupational Therapy focuses on healthy ageing, both that of older carers and older adults, including individuals residing in residential aged care homes. She is currently leading the implementation of a co-designed model of care for carers, having been awarded Commonwealth funding to pilot the Carer Health and Wellbeing Service for carers who care for an older adult. And, more recently, has been leading the development and implementation of an Australian-first pilot of the Ciao! Program – delivery of interactive, online content into aged care facilities to facilitate connection and community.
Dr Lalor is the current Secretary of the Victorian Division Executive Committee of the Australian Association of Gerontology and was awarded as an AAG Fellow in 2023 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the field of gerontology. She is passionate about the engagement of individuals with lived experience in research and education and is the Consumer and Community Engagement Lead for the RAIL Research Centre. She is also a passionate volunteer and advocate for Guide Dogs Victoria.