Susan Brooks

Enhancing Assistive Technology Provision in Australia through realist approaches
A headshot of Susan Brooks standing outside, wearing a navi t-shirt smiling at the camera.

An experienced Occupational Therapist, Susan Brooks has worked in many settings in Australia and internationally, including the delivery of assistive technology programs for Northern Territory Health and Indigo, the provider of Australian geat2GO. Her work at Indigo included collaboration on the National GEAT longitudinal study project conducted by RAIL.

Susan commenced her PhD in January 2026 and is supervised by Associate Professor Natasha Layton (RAIL) and Associate Professor Libby Callaway (RAIL & Occupational Therapy Department). Her research explores assistive technology (AT) provision within Australian public funding schemes and will answer:

  1. What AT funding models work, for whom, in what contexts and with what outcomes?
  2. How can Australian AT provision programs work effectively for all stakeholders?

In Australia, AT is provided through numerous programs spanning multiple sectors and with different funding initiatives across national, state and territory levels. There is great variability in the assistive products provided, level of service and whom has access.  An initial environmental scan of current government and non-government assistive technology programs in Australia will identify who gets what AT and why.

Using a realist approach Susan will explore AT programs for what they are: complex interventions operating in the real-world, within complex systems. Programme theories will be developed and tested using mixed methods, including empirical data from the National GEAT longitudinal study and semi-structured interviews with health professionals who recommend AT through these programs. The research is expected to improve the knowledge base for health and social care program design that includes assistive technology.