Dr Tanya Rihtman
BSc (OT), MSc (OT), PhD
Principal Lecturer in Occupational Therapy; Occupational Therapy Programme Lead
School of Sport, Nutrition and Allied Health Professions

Role
I am a paediatric occupational therapist, and principal lecturer in occupational therapy. As the occupational therapy programme lead, I am responsible for maintaining oversight of the delivery of all occupational therapy programmes. I lead on the BSc ‘Foundations for Occupational Therapy’ and the MSc ‘Perspectives on Occupation, Health and Wellbeing’ modules, and contribute to teaching on modules related to paediatric occupational therapy and leadership and management. Additionally, I supervise research students undertaking projects from BSc to doctoral level.
Teaching and supervision
Supervision
Current PhD supervised students:
- Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
- Julie Booth
Current MRes students:
- Alysia Martindale
Research
Research interests
- Issues related to childhood development (including motor function, sensory function, cultural influences on development and standardised assessment and identification of children and young people at risk of developmental difficulties)
- Occupational therapy (theory and pedagogy)
- Occupational science
Centres and institutes
Groups
Projects as Principal Investigator, or Lead Academic if project is led by another Institution
- A study examining the impact of an occupational therapy intervention on the support for children who are delayed in their readiness to write (led by East Kent Hospital University Foundation Trust) (01/04/2025 - 31/03/2031), funded by: National Institute for Health Research
Publications
Professional information
Memberships of professional bodies
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists ‘Play in Occupational Therapy’ practice development guideline group