Dr Yvonne Learmonth
- PhD in Rehabilitation Science – Focus on exercise and neurological disease
- Accredited Physiotherapist (AHPRA, Australia; HCPC, United Kingdom)
Associate Professor Yvonne Learmonth is an internationally recognised physiotherapist and researcher at UNSW Sydney, specialising in rehabilitation science, exercise, and neurological conditions. Her work informs global clinical guidelines and focuses on improving health behaviours in people with neurological disease through evidence-based interventions. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Murdoch University, WA and a Senior Research Fellow at the Perron Institute, WA, Australia.
Yvonne is passionate about teaching and curriculum development. She champions an evidence-based approach to physiotherapy education, with a particular emphasis on neurological rehabilitation and strategies that empower patients to adopt positive health behaviours. Her teaching philosophy centres on fostering critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and translating research into practice to prepare graduates for real-world clinical challenges.
She also holds leadership roles in international networks advancing neurological physiotherapy and implementation science, ensuring her research and teaching have global impact. Yvonne leads consumer co-designed clinical trials and develops practical resources for clinicians, including training programs and telehealth strategies, bridging the gap between evidence and practice
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
- National MS Society (USA) – 5-year research grant supporting exercise and behavioural interventions in multiple sclerosis
- MS Australia – Multiple competitive grants (2022–2025) for projects on exercise promotion, clinician training, and implementation science
- Other major funding – Over $3 million secured for clinical trials, hybrid implementation/efficacy studies, and qualitative research design, with ongoing funding through 2028
- International collaborations – Grants supporting interdisciplinary research across the UK, USA, and Australia
2017 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Mentorship and Assessment of junior colleagues completing the Associate Fellow Award
2025 Pro Vice Chancellor Medal Top Mid-career Research, Murdoch University
- Rehabilitation science and exercise interventions for neurological conditions, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Evidence-based strategies to improve health behaviours in people with neurological disease
- Consumer co-designed randomised controlled trials ensuring real-world applicability
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses informing global clinical guidelines
- Implementation science to bridge evidence-to-practice gaps in physiotherapy
- Development of clinician training resources, telehealth strategies, and exercise promotion toolkits
- Leadership in international networks advancing neurological physiotherapy and mobility research
- Capacity building for healthcare professionals through education programs, webinars, and podcasts
- Consumer Partnerships: Championing meaningful involvement of people with neurological conditions in research design, evaluation, and dissemination, with over 30 publications co-authored with consumers.
- Professional Education: Developing and delivering evidence-based training resources, webinars, and podcasts for physiotherapists and allied health professionals, reaching thousands of clinicians globally.
- Policy and Guideline Development: Contributing to international clinical guidelines for multiple sclerosis rehabilitation and exercise, influencing practice standards worldwide.
- Leadership in Networks: Leading the Australian Branch of the International Rehabilitation in MS Mobility Network and contributing to the International Neurological Physical Therapy Association to advance global collaboration.
- Community Outreach: Creating accessible exercise promotion toolkits and telehealth strategies to improve care for rural and mobility-limited populations.
- Editorial Contribution: Serving as Sub-Editor for the Journal of Physiotherapy, supporting dissemination of high-quality research and advancing evidence-based practice in physiotherapy.