Adj. Martha Van Niekerk

Martha Van Niekerk is an occupational therapy scholar whose work centres on vocational rehabilitation, mental health, and occupational participation within the South African context. Her research reflects a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, including adolescents with learning difficulties, individuals with major depressive disorder, and young stroke survivors navigating return to work.

Her publications highlight expertise in occupation-based frameworks, particularly the application of the Model of Human Occupation to guide return-to-work processes. She explores the interaction between personal factors, occupational identity, and systemic barriers, offering conceptual and practice-oriented contributions that inform therapists working in both public and private healthcare sectors.

Van Niekerk has also contributed to areas such as sensory processing in women’s health, career exploration for learners with special educational needs, and ethical-legal guidance for healthcare practitioners. Across her body of work, a consistent strength is the integration of qualitative insight with practical frameworks to enhance occupational therapy practice and policy relevance.