Each year, AOTF selects a topic to explore and invites respected researchers to summarize scientifically validated evidence that guides best practice and identify gaps in the evidence and research priorities that must be addressed to support future practice. This integrated review of the state of the science includes a discussion of the implications for practice, education, research, and policy.
- 2024 Progress in OT Assessment: How are we measuring up? Michelle L. Woodbury, PhD, OTR/L, Professor, College of Health Professions, Health Sciences & Research Department, Medical University of South Carolina; Jennifer Weaver, PhD, MA, OTR/L, BS, CBIS, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University; Jessica M. Kramer, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida; Trudy Mallinson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FACRM, Associate Dean for Health Sciences Research, Associate Professor of Clinical Research & Leadership, Associate Professor of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences (Secondary), The George Washington University, The School of Medicine & Health Sciences; Simone V. Gill, PhD, OT, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University
- 2023 Shifting the Culture of Occupational Therapy Scholarship Through Community-Engaged Research. Teal W. Benevides, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Institute of Public and Preventive Health, Augusta University; Janet L. Poole, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico; Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, PhD, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago; Karla Ausderau, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, Department of Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy Program, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison; MC – Mary Jane ‘MJ’ Mulcahey, PhD, OTR/L, CLCP, FASIA, Chair of the AOTF Board of Trustees, Thomas Jefferson University
- 2022 Healing from Trauma: The Value of Occupation and Therapeutic Alliance. Christine Helfrich, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor & Post-Professional OTD Capstone Coordinator, Division of Occupational Therapy, American International College; Heather Javeherian, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Loma Linda University; Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L, TBRI® Educator, SCFES, Associate Professor, Dept. of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University; Emily F. Rothman, ScD, MS, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Boston University; Duana C. Russell-Thomas, OTD, OTR/L, Clinical Specialist in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis
- 2021 Intersections of Occupation and Self-Management of Chronic Conditions. Moderator: Mary C. Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of Southern California; Speakers: Kathleen D. Lyons, ScD, OTR/L, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Janet L. Poole, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of New Mexico; Beth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L, CDE, University of Southern California; Alix Sleight, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute; Kristine Carandang, PhD, OTR/L, Child and Adolescent Services Research Center
- 2019 Caregiving and Family Matters: OT Conributions to Enhancing Health, Quality of LIfe, and Participation. Mary C. Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Carol Haywood, PhD, OTR/L, Linda Tickle-Degnen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Megan E. Gately, OTD, OTR/L, Jill Cameron, PhD, Kristina Kokorelias, MSc.
- 2018 Functional Cognition: The OT Lens on Occupational Performance. M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Deirdre R. Dawson, PhD, OTR Reg. (Ont.), Robin Newman, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, CDRS, Juleen Rodakowski, OTD, MS, OTR/L, Timothy J. Wolf, OTD, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA.
- 2017 Resilience: Occupational Therapy and its Role in Helping to Adapt to Adversity. Mark Salzer, PhD, Janet Falk-Kessler, EdD, OTR, FAOTA, Valerie Malhomes, PhD, Kristie Patten Koenig, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA.
- 2016 25th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Diane Smith, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA with Robin Jones, MPA, COTA/L, ROH and Elliot Roth, MD.
- 2015 Sensory factors and their impact on daily life across the lifespan. Leanne Carey, BAppSc(OT), PhD, Winifred Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA with Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA and Scott Frey, PhD.