Dr Sarah Ashcroft
Lecturer
I have completed the following training to enhance my skills as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and researcher:
- Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCATM).
- PD Warrior Neuroplasticity in Parkinson's Disease Level 1 and 2.
Medicine & Health
School of Health Sciences
I am an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health. My academic role includes teaching into the Bachelor of Exercise Science / Master of Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology degree here at UNSW. I have worked as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist in numerous public and private rehabilitation settings in NSW and have held teaching and professional practice educator roles at Australian Catholic University during the completion of my PhD.
My program of research aims to improve recovery and quality of life after stroke. I am particularly interested in how Accredited Exercise Physiologists can use high intensity exercise interventions to facilitate neuroplasticity and reduce fatigue post-stroke, utilising quantitative and qualitative methods. I have also been involved in research in the fields of paediatric cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and healthy cognitive aging.
E-mail
Location
Level 6, Health Translation Hub
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
I have been fortunate to be awarded funding from various organisations to support my research. My role within these projects has been as a primary investigator, co-investigator, and associate-investigator:
- Heart & Stroke Canada 2025/26 Grant-in-Aid (2025-29).
- StrokeGoRed Clinical and Research Training Award (2025-26, declined).
- Newfoundland and Labrador Support / Quality of Care Newfoundland and Labrador Health Professional-led Patient Oriented Research Funding Competition (2025).
- StrokeCog Postdoctoral Fellowship (2024-25).
- Australian Catholic University PhD Stipend Scholarship (2021-24).
- Australian Catholic University Faculty of Health Sciences Project Grant (2021).
I have received the following awards across my career:
- Editor's Choice paper in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair (2025).
- Australian Catholic University Collaborate Plus Pitch Plus Award (2021).
- Northern Sydney Local Health District Exceptional People Awards Consumer Nominated Connected Person-Centred Care (2020).
My research activities include collaborations with the Recovery and Performance Laboratory (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada) and the University of Newcastle (Australia). I am also involved in the development of stroke rehabilitation guidelines with the Australia and New Zealand Stroke Foundation Living Guidelines for Stroke Management (since 2021) and the 2026 AHA / ASA Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Guideline. I am also involved in the Australian & New Zealand Stroke Organisation (ANZSO) Emerging Stroke Clinician and Scientist Group as well as the International Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Alliance (ISRRA) Early Career Researcher Group.
My Teaching
I am currently involved in teaching EXPT3153 (Rehabilitation for Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases), EXPT3175 (Neurological Clinical Practice), and EXPT4150 (Advanced Neurological Clinical Practice) at UNSW.