Marie-Louise Bird
Professor, Physiotherapy and Head of Discipline
Campus
Biography
Marie-Louise Bird is the professor of physiotherapy and academic lead of discipline at the Gippsland Campus of Federation University. Her 20 years of clinical practice as a physiotherapist informs teaching, research, service and leadership roles at the University.
Marie-Louise values and models a commitment to life-long learning in both academic and professional lives. Her motivation for research is directed at addressing health inequity in our community, by assisting people understand their health to inform the decisions that they make in both preventative health and interactions with the health system. Priority population in rural and regional communities are a current focus.
Her dedication to ensuring health care is delivered using the best available evidence is underpinned by a commitment to continually develop her expertise in knowledge translation. Marie-Louise is passionate about imparting these values to the students and colleagues whom she works with. She is currently accepting applications for research higher degree students in implementation science, co-design or stroke.
Fields of research
- Digital health
- Physiotherapy
- Rehabilitation
More about Marie-Louise
Qualifications
- Post-doctoral fellowship, University of British Columbia
- PhD, University of Tasmania, Australia Thesis: The Effect of Exercise and Physical Activity on Intrinsic Physical Fall Risks
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland (Australia)
- Diploma of Education (Adult Learning), University of New England (Australia)
- Diploma of Pilates for Rehabilitation, Polestar International
Grants
- Roydhouse et al 2025–2028 Implementing Patient-Reported Outcome Collection in Routine Prostate Cancer Care in Rural and Regional Settings, Movember, ($300,000)
- Andrews et al 2024–2028 Co-designing interdisciplinary care for women and gender diverse people with persistent pelvic pain, Physiotherapy Research Fund, ($15,000)
- Janssen et al 2024–2026 ESTEEM After Stroke: Improving access to stroke rehabilitation for regional Australians, MRFF, ($1,485,667)
- Mortenson et al 2020–2027 Towards Barrier-Free Communities : A Partnership for Improving Mobility, Access and Participation (MAP) Among People with Disabilities, SSHRC, ($2,510,176)
- Bridgman et al 2020–2021 Cornerstone Youth Services (CYS) Nutrition and Physical Activity Capacity Building Project, Cornerstone, ($47,000)
- Bird et al 2019–2022 Implementation of Community Based Exercise for people after stroke, UBC, ($58,040)
- Graham et al 2018–2021 Stroke Recovery in Motion, Brain Canada, ($1,214,025)
- Bird et al 2017–2022 Improving physical activity, pain and function in patients waiting for hip and knee Arthroplasty by combining targeted exercise training with behaviour change counselling, Clifford Carig, ($47,241)
- Bird et al 2014–2017 Pilot RCT to evaluate use of Jintronix Rehabilitation System, Stroke Foundation, ($18,663)
- Bird et al 2010–2011 Seasonal Variation in Balance in Older Adults, PRF, ($18,023)
- Bird et al 2010–2011 Does Balance Vary with Season in Older Tasmanians & What are the influences & Effects?, Clifford Craig, ($17,254)
Awards
- 2025: Vice-chancellors Commendation
- 2018: Florey Centre for Brain Health Stroke 'Future Leader' program
- 2012: Vice-chancellors award for community engagement
- 2012: Premiers award for physical activity
Current
- PhD student, Federation University, ‘The impact persistent pelvic pain on academic outcomes’, co-supervisor.
- PhD student, University of Tasmania, ‘Pelvic Pain Education (PPP) Codesign’, co-supervisor
- Master’s student, University of Newcastle, ‘Environmental Enrichment after stroke’, co-supervisor
Past
- PhD student, University of Tasmania, ‘Supporting Young Stroke Survivors through Engaging Messaging (SYSSTEM)’, supervisor.
- PhD student, University of Tasmania, ‘Shoulder Strength and Scapular Position in Swimmers’, supervisor.
- Master’s student, University of Tasmania, ‘Changes in Gait Variability and Balance Control during Exertional Walking in Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease’, supervisor.
- Master’s student, University of Tasmania, ‘Co-design of a Carer-supported Home-based Exercise Program for People after Stroke’, supervisor.
- Health communication
- Knowledge translation
- Interprofessional practice
- Research and evidence-based practice
- Community participation
- Stroke
Specialist roles
- Adjunct Associate Professor, University of British Colombia
- Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Tasmania
Professional association memberships
- Member of The Australian Physiotherapy Association
- Gerontology Physiotherapy Australia
- Neurology Physiotherapy Australia
- Telehealth for Stroke Community of Practice (Co-Lead physical and sensory group)
- International Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Alliance
- World Stroke Organisation Implementation Committee
Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC)
- Publications
Cognition and postural balance in young adults: Investigating the limits of cognitive involvement in motor automaticity
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.12.019
Exercising, Socialising, and Thinking: an Environmental Enrichment Model (ESTEEM) after stroke-a mixed methods pilot study of the ESTEEM program
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2612460