Rachael Durrans

Rachael Durrans is a clinical and academic physiotherapist, currently working as a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy and Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Programme at The University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom. She is also a final year PhD researcher, with her research focusing on deconditioning and skin integrity, particularly the optimisation of pressure management strategies and the effectiveness of pressure ulcer prevention equipment in clinical practice. Her research explores how targeted interventions and equipment provision can reduce pressure-related risk while supporting functional independence and mobility. Rachael’s wider research interests include the prevention and assessment of deconditioning, the relationship between mobility and tissue viability, and the translation of evidence-based pressure management into clinical practice. Rachael has already started to disseminate her work through conference presentations, publications and collaborations with industry partners. She has been invited to contribute to webinars and podcasts, to expand the reach of her work and promote best practice. During her PhD, Rachael has received awards recognising the quality and impact of her research presentations. Clinically, Rachael has extensive experience across neurology, respiratory care, amputee rehabilitation, orthopaedics, musculoskeletal outpatients, and inpatient rehabilitation. She has specialised in acute and inpatient therapy, working with medical, elderly, frailty, and orthopaedic populations, as well as in emergency and acute medical admission settings. She is passionate about maintaining patient independence and preparing future physiotherapists to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed care.