Leslie Swartz
Papers
2
Total Citations
9
H-Index
2
About
Leslie Swartz is a leading figure in disability studies and rehabilitation psychology, with a particular focus on the intersections of disability, poverty, and technology in low-resource settings. Her research critically examines how innovative rehabilitation interventions are experienced and implemented in contexts of profound inequality. A major contribution is her work on the politics of hope, as explored in her highly cited 2020 study, which analyzed how participants in a South African spinal cord injury (SCI) trial framed their experiences with robotic locomotor training. This paper, with 7 citations, reveals the complex emotional and social dynamics at play when cutting-edge technology is introduced in resource-constrained environments. Swartz’s subsequent 2023 pilot and feasibility trial further advances this field, providing crucial evidence on the practical challenges and potential of robotic rehabilitation in low-resource settings. Her work is notable for centering the voices of marginalized individuals, challenging simplistic narratives of technological salvation, and advocating for contextually grounded, ethical rehabilitation practices. Through her rigorous qualitative and mixed-methods research, Swartz has become an essential voice in global disability studies.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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