Two QMU health academics recognised with national accolades
Two academics from Queen Margaret University have been recognised for their contributions to their respective professions, with Dr Joan Ma appointed to the Young Academy of Scotland and Joanna Beveridge receiving a 2026 Merit Award from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
Dr Joan Ma, Senior Lecturer in QMU’s Speech and Hearing Sciences Division, has been appointed as one of 48 new members of the Young Academy of Scotland (YAS).
Joan is a qualified speech and language therapist whose research focuses on speech production and perception, with particular interests in motor speech disorders, Parkinson’s disease, dysphagia and motor control. She also explores how new technologies can support the monitoring of motor speech disorders and provide support to people living with these conditions.
The new YAS cohort brings together some of Scotland’s most innovative young professionals from business, the public and charity sectors, the arts, and research and academia. Members are selected for their achievements and potential to contribute to positive change through collaboration, innovation, evidence and leadership.
Joanna Beveridge, Lecturer in QMU’s Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies Division, has been named as a recipient of a 2026 Merit Award from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
Joanna's award recognises her contribution to the occupational therapy profession, particularly through her work in education, practice and palliative care.
The RCOT Merit Awards recognise outstanding contributions to occupational therapy at any stage of a member’s career, including contributions that have made a local or regional impact or work in a specialist or diverse area of practice.
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media and Content Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
