The development and future of occupational science: A budding occupational scientist’s reflections and assertions about the discipline
Allison D. Calhoun
Abstract
As occupational science moves beyond 30 years as an academic discipline, reviewing its genesis and development is important in envisioning its future as a continually relevant, socially responsive discipline that addresses globally concerning issues. My positionality in writing this article is as a budding occupational scientist who has experience as an occupational therapy practitioner and educator, offering a multi-varied lens through which I am beginning to see and process concepts about the discipline. Thus, I reflect on aspects of the historical development of occupational science, offering my perspectives on the context that supported its genesis and identifying four foundational tenets that I perceive to have underpinned the science’s initial historical contributions. Then, pre-existing published literature forms the basis for an overview of where and how occupational science has developed globally and supports my thoughts about the relationship of occupational science to occupational therapy and its potential impact on continued disciplinary growth and maturation. A compilation of already established concepts guides my commentary on how research and theory development should study and measure occupation in a transformative and socially responsible way, how language factors have influenced expansion and incorporation of occupational science globally, the role of interdisciplinarity in shaping knowledge generation, and the influence of teaching and learning on the education of future generations of scientists. Finally, a synthesis of views from the literature shapes my recommendations for future disciplinary growth and societal contribution.