Dr Alex Scott appointed as Head, UBC Department of Physical Therapy effective November 28, 2022

We are thrilled to announce that Dr Alex Scott is appointed Head of the UBC Department of Physical Therapy effective November 28, 2022.

Dr Alex Scott is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, which he first joined in 2010. He also serves as a University Senator, and previously served as the President of the Physiotherapy Association of BC. 

Dr Scott’s research focuses on tendinopathy and rehabilitation, and his research group is currently funded by CIHR and NSERC to pursue new solutions for chronic tendon pain. In 2015, he was awarded the Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award for Overall Excellence (Early Career), and in 2016 he won the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Research Ambassador’s award for knowledge translation. 

Dr Scott’s teaching interests include the principles of mechanobiology and tissue healing-core concepts for the Physiotherapy profession. Dr Scott also helps run the Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy, a course for practicing physios who want to deepen their knowledge of musculoskeletal physical therapy. 

In this role, Dr Scott will provide leadership to the department as it expands educational opportunities for the next generation of physical therapists in the distributed model, and continues to make significant research advancements in the field of rehabilitation science. 


Dr Scott’s appointment follows the leadership of Susan Murphy, who has led the department since 2016. Read the Announcement here.


“I couldn’t be more excited to work with an incredible team of faculty, staff and students to advance the mission of our department, from engaging in cutting-edge research to educating physiotherapists who excel at what they do. I truly believe in what we can do for people with disability, injury or pain, and I look forward to being in a position to help our profession achieve excellence across the board. 

I want to further strengthen our Unit’s collaborations across the University and build new relationships with clinicians, patients and communities across BC as we expand. My hope is that everyone who works in and alongside our department can take enormous pride in what we do and feel included in, and served by, our successes.” 

Dr Alex Scott