Meet Dr Leonard Henry Joseph

Dr Leonard Henry Joseph is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Brighton. He is a physiotherapist and his research interests focus on the health promotion, prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders.

Your journey into teaching

My mother who was a staff nurse was my role model and inspiration which motivated me to choose my subject – physiotherapy.  I actually wanted to be a male nurse, but I did not get a place to study nursing so I therefore, chose to study physiotherapy.  Looking back, I am grateful and delighted that I have become a physiotherapist.

I came from a teacher’s family from India.  My father, four uncles, four aunts and my sister, literally everyone in my family (except mum) are teachers.  As part of the clinical practice, I have been teaching and educating my patients as part of clinical management.  It is this joy of exchanging knowledge, sharing practice and supporting others to learn/develop drew me to teaching.

How my professional life supports my teaching

As a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, I have been practicing physiotherapy for more than 20 years.  I also have been a researcher for more than 15 years.  I was an entrepreneur too (for about 10 years) where I worked with my professional partner and established several physio clinics providing physio related services to various sectors.

I am grateful that I have also had the opportunity to be an innovator developing some innovative technology related to health care practice.  All these backdrops of opportunities and experience provide an interesting backdrop to my teaching which I value them truly as a humbling experience for me to be able to share with my students.

I had the opportunity to work in several different places (six different countries) as a practitioner and a lecturer understanding the diverse local culture, context, educational system, students, colleagues, etc which has taught me the most and have helped me to understand and support others from diverse backgrounds. Very few people may have had this opportunity and this is something I feel very humbled.

Bringing all these attributes to the teaching and sharing these experiences with the students to motivate them in their learning and professional development is something I may consider as an accolade.

How my work responds to global challenges

Born and brought up in a Low Middle Income country (LMIC), I have experienced the hardships and challenges in our day to day life, let it be education, resources, opportunities, professional development, physiotherapy practice etc.  This has helped me to see the developmental needs and gaps in the developing countries in the context of my professional practice and education.  Several times I have reflected that I am lucky to have obtained all these opportunities and experiences, whereas a vast number of people from developing nations may not have had the opportunities what I received.

This reflective outlook shaped my thinking to share, exchange and contribute to the physiotherapy practice, professional development, human capacity building, research interests etc globally especially in the LMICs.

In the current world, musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice, teaching and research etc in the context of general musculoskeletal conditions and occupational health/work place health is still evolving in several developing nations, where I genuinely feel my desire to contribute to its development.  This is where my work falls in terms of addressing global challenges.

As a musculoskeletal researcher and with clinical speciality in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, my vision is to create and develop a Research Networking Group and Scholarly Consortium of LMICs.  To achieve this vision, I am currently working with colleagues from LMICs with aims to encourage musculoskeletal related research, support Doctoral students, foster capacity building and explore a sustainable research partnership for management of musculoskeletal disorders in the LMICs. Our scholarly consortium of multidisciplinary colleagues from Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, India and Thailand are very keen and continuously looking forward to extend our support network and expansion opportunities with partners from other LMICs.

This is why I am so thrilled and excited to see our University’s vision and strategic plan about Global challenges.  I like to see and call it as Global Opportunities.  This is why I work together with my colleague Sarah Jane work to create physiotherapy placements for students in various International countries especially LMICs to shape our students as Global citizens.

What I love about teaching

My teaching style is influenced by a ‘student centred approach’.  Enhancing a positive learning experience for the students has been always remained as one of my core teaching principles.  I enjoy creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment for the students where the students feel comfortable to engage and actively participate in their own learning.

While I very much like to be an academic friend in supporting the students to achieve their learning goals, I really appreciate and encourage students to take ownership of their learning.

Students that have made me particularly proud

• One of the students has developed a new medical gadget called Sensory nerve function detection device funded by University Innovation Kick start funding.
• Very recently one of my Physiotherapy students under my guidance developed an important resource ‘Case study resource manual’ for a National Physiotherapy Professional Organization in the UK. This is under the Summer Research Placement Scheme funded by our University.
• Currently, two students are doing an important research project for the local adult social service sector under the musculoskeletal health at work place initiatives for adult social care workers
• A student in Thailand together with local stakeholders is developing musculoskeletal intervention for poultry slaughterhouse workers in Thailand
• A student in Uganda is developing mental health awareness program at work place
• A group of students in Zambia is developing musculoskeletal health and wellbeing program for farmers in Zambia

The above work done by the students are real success stories and very proud moments for me.  These students achieve this excellent milestone in the early part of their academic student life.

When I was at their level as a student, I did not achieve any such big things in my life due to lack of opportunities and guidance. However, for me to be able to support and guide the students to achieve the above are really moments that makes me to feel happy, humble and proud as I can be a part in inspiring our students to dream bigger and achieve greater.

My advice to students

For prospective students, your university education in physiotherapy or in any course is not only for your career, it is an invitation for you to become a national and global academic citizen.  I strongly believe that today’s prospective students are tomorrow’s leaders in their professional area of practice, whether it be locally or globally.

Your studies at our university is a one-time life opportunity to script your future and destiny.  Every step of struggle and challenges in your academic journey definitely intends to shape our students stronger and better.

Therefore, enjoy and embrace every step of your academic journey.  Keep your passion alive as every day is very special and unique in shaping you to be an excellent professional.  See any challenges in your academic, professional and personal life as opportunities to develop and grow.

Learn about studying physiotherapy and other Allied Health Professions at the University of Brighton