Laura Desveaux, MSCPT, PHD

Laura is a scientist and physical therapist whose passion is in the application of behavioural science to close the gap between what is currently happening in the system with what science and experience tells us is possible. Her work draws on behavioural psychology and implementation science to design and evaluate interventions that aim to optimize care. To understand what makes an initiative successful and how to scale it, her team examines what drives behaviour, how and why things work, and the process, mechanisms of change and the contextual factors that characterize success (and failure). This approach provides insights into what works best, for whom, and in what circumstance and helps inform how to effect change at a system level. She collaborates with health system decision-makers to bridge the research to practice gap by helping them apply the principles of implementation science and behaviour change to their work. Laura is also the founder and Executive Director of Women Who Lead, an organization dedicated to support the career advancement and leadership development of women in the health sector.