Rate My Professor Leigh Hale

Professor Leigh Hale is the Dean of the School of Physiotherapy and a Professor at the University of Otago. She holds a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Cape Town, an MSc in Physiotherapy and a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, and is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Physiotherapy (FNZCP). Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Hale began her professional career as a physiotherapist in Johannesburg, with subsequent roles in Europe and the United Kingdom, before relocating to New Zealand in 2000 to take up a position at the University of Otago.

Hale's research focuses on community-based physiotherapeutic rehabilitation, falls prevention, and supported self-management for people living with disabilities and neurological conditions, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and learning disabilities. She has published more than 170 journal articles, six book chapters, and presented at over 100 conferences. Key publications include “Telerehabilitation After Stroke Using Readily Available Technology: A Randomized Controlled Trial” (2020), “What Works and Does Not Work in a Self-Management Intervention for People With Chronic Pain? Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis” (2018), “The effectiveness of behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity participation in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis” (2014), and “Effectiveness of Tai Chi as a Community-Based Falls Prevention Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial” (2012). She has supervised 26 doctoral students, served as editor of the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy for eight years, chaired the Disability Equity in Health Professional Workforce Task Group, and contributed to the University of Otago Critical Disability Issues Network. Hale has received numerous Health Research Council awards, including as co-director of a recent programme grant, and in 2023 was awarded the Honorary Fellowship by Physiotherapy New Zealand, the highest honour in the profession.