Dr Margaret Skropeta

Qualifications
Biography
Research
Selected Publications
Grants/Current Projects
Teaching Interest
Awards/Honours
Professional Activities

Qualifications

PhD, MA(Hons), BA

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Biography

Dr C. Margaret Skropeta has been a diversional therapy educator for twenty three years. Her academic career began as a lecturer at The University of Sydney. She has been a member of the Diversional Therapy Association of Australia since 1979. She held a committee position on the Diversional Therapy Association of New South Wales Inc for many years.

Margaret was awarded Life Membership of the Diversional Therapy Association of Australia, in recognition of the contribution she has made to the diversional therapy profession. She has presented papers related to diversional therapy nationally and internationally. Margaret has contributed to the development of diversional therapy/therapeutic recreation education throughout Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

In 2001-2002 Margaret assisted in the development of the Diversional Therapy Association of Japan. Through these international activities the diversional therapy profession has developed nationally and internationally. 
 

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Research

Margaret was responsible for implementing the Evaluation of the Veterans and All Generations Shoot ‘N’ Shuffle Challenge Project. She made major contributions to the National Understanding Depression Project in the areas of Autonomy and Benefits of Recreation Programs. 

Margaret's research interests include the practice of diversional therapy/therapeutic recreation and life satisfaction of older people in residential care and the social outcomes of rehabilitation. Her MA (Hons) degree thesis led to the development of ‘A Model of Diversional Therapy'. 
Her PhD thesis topic was the ‘Discourse analysis of social outcomes of rehabilitation patient perspectives’.

Margaret is presently involved in research investigating intergenerational play groups in aged care facilities.

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Selected Publications

Skropeta, C.M. (2001). Help people help themselves in R. Fleming. Challenge depression: A manual to help staff identify and reduce depression in aged care facilities. The Hammond Care Group: Sydney.

Skropeta, C.M. (2001). Provide appropriate leisure and recreational activities in R. Fleming: Challenge depression: A manual to help staff identify and reduce depression in aged care facilities. The Hammond Care Group: Sydney.

Skropeta, C.M., Cant, R., & Henke, P. (2004). Leisure a continuing thread of identity for individuals in rehabilitation. In K. Richmond. TASA 2004 Conference Proceedings. La Trobe University. Melbourne.

Skropeta, C.M., Matthews, R., & Quirke, J. (2004). The Diversional Therapy Association of Australia National Council (DTAANC) Course Accreditation Manual. The Diversional Therapy Association of Australia National Council Inc.

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Grants/Current projects

2006-2008 LTAP Project - Assessment focused unit outlines, eportfolio and assessment mapping of the Bachelor of Health Science Program.

Funding Source: University of Western Sydney – Teaching & Learning Grant.

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Teaching Interests

Margaret is presently coordinating and teaching into the following units:

• Professional Pathways in Health Sciences
• Workplace Learning 2 (Community Placement)
• Professional Practice in Aged Care and Disability
• Health Service Quality Management
• Therapeutic Recreation Professional Project
• Professional Transition Project
• Bachelor of Health Science Honours Program

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Awards/Honours

Margaret is a life Member of the Diversional Therapy Association of Australia, she was awarded this status for her contribution to the development of Diversional Therapy in Australia.

In 2005 Dr Margaret Skropeta, along with Redecca Matthews and Jacquline Quirke, was awarded the Diversional Therapy of Australia Robin Mitchell Award
for development of the Diversional Therapy National Education Competencies.

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Professional Activities

Editor of the 2006 edition - The Australasian Journal of Diversional Therapy - (Incorporating therapeutic recreation and health professionals): The Diversional Therapy Association of Australia National Council Inc.

Editor of the 2008 edition - The Australasian Journal of Diversional Therapy - (Incorporating therapeutic recreation and health professionals): The Diversional Therapy Association of Australia National Council Inc.

Margaret is presently editor of The Australasian Journal of Diversional Therapy Incorporating Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure and Health Professionals.

Margaret has also presented at numerous conferences.