Medico-Legal Experience

Professor Karen Saunders is an experienced medico-legal expert witness who specialises in producing expert witness reports for cases related to all types of acquired brain injury (ie. stroke, traumatic brain injury etc.), complex neurological disability, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.

Professor Saunders is registered as a PhD doctoral candidate at the Centre for Health Service Studies at the University of Kent, where she has completed research into the long-term health impacts of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and exploration of co-designing a resource deemed of value with survivors of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury living in the community and other stakeholders. As a PhD candidate, this distinguishes her level of expertise within the field of acquired brain injury. It also enables her to access and incorporate relevant research literature and evidence into the reports that she writes.

Professor Saunders is available to take on medico-legal and clinical practice cases anywhere in the UK and has completed medico-legal training courses organised by the Medico-Legal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Clinical Experience

Professor Saunders is a highly skilled neurological physiotherapist, who has acquired over 25 years of advanced knowledge and expertise in the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals diagnosed with neurological conditions within acute, rehabilitation, out-patient and community settings across the NHS and private sector.

Professor Saunders was invited and successfully presented two case reports on the effectiveness of her clinical neuro-physiotherapy treatment regarding two of her patients (stroke survivors) at two International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine conferences in Argentina (2017) and Paris (2018).

Special Interests

Professor Saunders is also a Consultant Research Fellow with a 10 year portfolio of completed clinical and qualitative research studies, which include: Traumatic brain injury, brain health, stroke, co-design and co-production, EEG neurofeedback to reduce neuropathic pain, balance rehabilitation, spasticity, health inequalities and leadership.  Hence, she has achieved an extensive portfolio of publications in these areas.

Professor Saunders is regularly invited to present research abstracts at national and international conferences and most recently has been invited to make 4 research presentations at the 7^th Pacific Rim Conference on Brain Health and Intersectionality (02/07/25-05/07/25).  She has also received numerous awards throughout her career nationally and internationally for leadership, education and teaching.

Memberships of Professional Bodies

• The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Health and Care Professions Council

Further information

Download Prof Saunders’ CV to learn more about her research publications, qualifications and more.