Interviews

Name: Emma Stokes
Qualifications: B.Sc. (Physio.), M.Sc. (Mgmt), M.Sc., Ph.D. (1990)
Title: President of World Confederation for Physical Therapy

About: I graduated as a physiotherapist in 1990 and worked at St. James’s Hospital until 1996 when I took up a position as a lecturer in the Discipline of Physiotherapy and I have taught and researched there ever since. I was elected to Fellowship in 2012. In 2005, I was appointed Junior Dean and served, as the first woman in the role, until 2010. I have always been an active volunteer in the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and have served on boards in Trinity, and in the health, charity, education and regulatory sectors. In 2015, I was elected President of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. I teach and research in the area of professional issues and practice in physiotherapy.

What is your strongest Trinity memory?
Running in College Park in all weathers with the Dublin University Harriers and Athletic Club.

As President of World Confederation for Physical Therapy what are your ambitions for the year ahead?
When I was elected, I said ‘I would look in, look out and look to the future’. So my ambitions for the coming year are to work with our great staff and board to continue our review of the organisation specifically the completion of a Member Engagement Strategy; 'looking out' is to continue our work with WHO and very exciting prospective project on the foundation of a Global Rehabilitation Alliance. As well as continuing to develop the WCPT Leadership Academy which looks to empowering the next generation of physiotherapy leaders in professional organisation.

What has been your greatest challenge?
Finishing my Ph.D. while working on faculty in Physiotherapy in Trinity. It took me 7 years, part time. I really thought I’d never get there.

What has been your proudest achievement so far?
Being elected as the President of WCPT. The organisation is the only global representative organisation for physiotherapists, founded in 1951. It’s such a privilege to serve in the role. And being elected as a Fellow of Trinity College in 2012.

What gets you up in the morning?
Yoga or the gym! I’m sure that’s not the meaning of the question. The joy I constantly find in working with students and the global physiotherapy community.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
For various different personal & professional reasons as well as curiosity: Barack & Michelle Obama, Tedros Adhanom, Anne Anderson, Lise Kingo. Then I’d add a few Trinity folks into the mix – Ian Robertson, Jane Ohlmeyer, Linda Doyle and John O’Hagan.