The School of Rehabilitation Therapy and the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR) are thrilled to invite you to the sixth annual Dr. Malcolm Peat Lectureship featuring Visiting Lecturer Abia Akram.
Join us virtually on Zoom as Abia presents the topic of
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in Development and Humanitarian Response Discourse
moderated by Dr. Heather Aldersey.
About the speaker
Abia Akram is a dynamic advocate for disability rights, with a personal journey driving her commitment since 1997. Named one of the 100 BBC Women in 2021, she serves as a trustee for Sightsavers UK Board and received the prestigious Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Award in 2023. Abia's influence extends to international platforms, including her role as a member of the Council on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Gender Advisor to the Commission on the Rights of Women with Disabilities (NCSW). She champions the implementation of legislation such as the Disability Rights Act 2020 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, earning recognition as one of the most active advocates globally. Through initiatives like the National Forum of Women with Disabilities and the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), she ensures inclusion in the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. Abia's impact transcends borders, with her leadership recognized through the Human Rights Presidential Award and as a Chevening 35 Changemaker. Akram has a postgraduate degree in Gender and International Development from the University of Warwick in the UK. Abia's unwavering dedication amplifies the voices of women with disabilities, shaping global agendas through grassroots activism, accessibility efforts, training programs, and inclusive policymaking.
About the moderator
Dr. Heather Aldersey is an Associate Professor (Queen's National Scholar) at the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, the Scientific Director at the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR), and a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), Disability Inclusive Development. Dr. Aldersey's research program aims to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities globally, with a particular focus in low- and middle-income countries. She works towards achieving this aim by examining support structures for people with disabilities and their families, evaluating the processes and outcomes of implementing community-based rehabilitation programs, and translating findings to inform disability policy and practice. Dr. Aldersey's scholarship draws upon local strengths and capabilities and seeks to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families globally.
The Dr. Malcolm Peat Lectureship
The Dr. Malcolm Peat Lectureship was established by family, friends, and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy in memory and recognition of former Queen's School of Rehabilitation Therapy director and founder of the International Centre for Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR), Dr. Malcolm Peat.
The donor-established fund and generous contributions from alumni and friends have made this lecture possible.
