Thomas then worked as an occupational therapist, gaining experience in social care, rehabilitation of stroke patients, and mental health.
[2][3] Thomas then moved to Queensland, where she earned a Masters of Education, and completed a PhD titled An occupational perspective of wellbeing: a case study of homelessness in Townsville at James Cook University in 2012.
[4][5] Thomas has worked at the University of Worcester, where she developed and led an occupational therapy programme.
[1] Thomas then joined the faculty Otago Polytechnic, rising to full professor in 2022.
[1] Her research focuses on how occupations can affect wellbeing, especially for marginalised and socially disadvantaged people.