Introduction to Occupational Science
Occupational science (OS) is a relatively new and emerging discipline—which, of course, means there’s a lot of passion and change surrounding it.
Our goal with this article is to explore some of the basic questions about occupational science, from simple ones (like, “Where do I get a degree in occupational science?”) to more complex ones (like, “What are the tensions in OS?”).
By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of this field (and if you have any lingering questions, you can ask them in the comments!).
What is occupational science?
Generally speaking, occupational science is the study and theorization of occupation. The definition of occupation is debated, but it typically refers to the everyday activities and lived experiences of humans and their communities across the lifespan.
Occupational science existed long before it was named as a discipline in the early 1990s. The study of occupation—digging into the meaning of, and engagement in, everyday habits, routines, and life experiences—has been part of OT and multiple other areas of society for decades, if not centuries. Noticing, examining, and more deeply understanding the daily doings of a person or community is the science of occupation.
Examples of OS include:
An occupational therapist speaking with a client about their activities of daily living in order to better understand their context, habits, and routines.
A teacher noticing the regular ways a child engages in the classroom.
A spouse asking their partner why they organize their clothes a certain way.
A community leader noticing that certain families do not regularly join neighborhood celebrations.
These are all instances of noticing and studying occupation—though not all occur in a formal or systematic capacity. And that makes sense, because at its core, occupational science encompasses the examination before action—the curious pause before intervention (not the intervention itself).
More formally speaking, occupational science is an academic discipline born from occupational therapy. OS professionals conduct research to explore human occupation, using a variety of systematic methodologies to examine the form, function, and meaning of occupations. The overarching goal is to gain a better understanding of how these experiences influence health, well-being, and participation in society. It’s important to note that while these findings may support occupational therapy practice, OS does not always connect directly to therapeutic processes.
How does occupational science relate to occupational therapy?
Although the relationship between occupational science and occupational therapy varies depending on the context, historically speaking, occupational therapy gave way to the science of occupation—meaning the two disciplines are interconnected in many ways. This relationship holds true across international contexts as well. The global OT community is in regular dialogue with the global OS community, informing and challenging each other’s scope, approach, and knowledge.
From a research perspective, occupational science publications tend to focus on the examination of occupation and its various qualities—with fewer references to therapeutic processes or intervention. Below are some research topics addressed by both disciplines, as well as examples of publications that lean more toward OS and more toward OT for each topic.
In terms of cross-collaboration, therapy practitioners can leverage insights from occupational science as they assess client needs, design occupation-based interventions, and promote engagement in occupations that support health and well-being. And, occupational scientists can generate questions and research directions based on experiences and problems identified by therapy practitioners.
Together, occupational therapists and occupational scientists advance a holistic understanding of human occupation—one rooted in context, culture, and meaning—while mobilizing it to effect positive change. This partnership ensures that both disciplines remain evidence-based and responsive to the evolving needs of diverse and contemporary communities.
What are the key concepts explored by occupational science?
Occupation: This generally refers to the everyday activities and lived experiences of humans and their communities across the lifespan. The origins of the term “occupation” are steeped in specific assumptions that are rooted in White, middle class, Christian, and US-centric cultural values. The idea of “occupation” as meaningful, productive, morally good, and health-promoting has been questioned over the last few decades. Within OS, certain categories of occupation have been deeply explored (for example, collective occupation, co-occupation, or unsanctioned occupation).
Other “Doing” Words: Scholars often discuss, debate, and define other concepts related to human doing—as well as how these concepts may or may not be helpful in better defining specific experiences or phenomena, especially in contrast to occupation. These include terms like activity, behavior, action, habits, routines, participation, engagement, adaptation, and performance. Some of these constructs have an academic tenure as long as—or even longer than—occupation (in the way we think about it in OT or OS). Scholars have varying opinions on the relationship between these terms and occupation.
Meaning Words: A key quality of occupation is the layered, rich, and embedded nature of the experience. Therefore, much like occupational therapy, occupational science examines other constructs that contribute to this quality. Scholars explore the meaning, purpose, identity, embodiment, social transformation, justice, and possibilities of occupation.
Occupational Words: Occupational science has produced many “occupational _______” terms—arguably in an effort to develop its own vocabulary and distinguish itself as a unique discipline. These terms include:
Occupational justice
Occupational deprivation
Occupational alienation
Occupational marginalization
Occupational apartheid
Occupational performance
Occupational adaptation
Occupational balance
Occupational disruption
Occupational consciousness
Occupational possibilities
Occupational engagement
In more recent years, this practice has been critiqued for co-opting concepts from other disciplines or unnecessarily creating new terminology solely to define a discipline, rather than a new idea.
Why is occupational science important?
The study of occupation—separate from the therapeutic process—creates space for innovation, discovery, and examination of phenomena that are not readily associated with “therapy.”
Occupational science helps us understand the significance of everyday doing, habits, and roles in shaping human experiences. It has also given us a space to examine how social, cultural, and environmental factors can support or hinder participation in meaningful occupations.
Occupational science plays a key role in promoting occupational justice by addressing inequalities that limit access to meaningful occupations—such as those caused by ableism, classism, or systemic discrimination. The discipline also provides opportunities for dialogue with broader fields like anthropology, sociology, public health, education, and urban planning by offering insights into how environments and policies can be designed to support human occupation. Its interdisciplinary nature and focus on basic discovery make it a rich tool for enhancing our understanding of human experiences.
At the same time, occupational science has historically helped establish and develop the theoretical foundations that were originally cultivated in occupational therapy by examining and critiquing assumptions or concepts related to occupation and its influence on health, identity, and well-being. This examination is integral to effective, occupation-based interventions in OT.
What degrees are available in occupational science?
To be clear, you can participate in occupational science without having a formal degree. In fact, most authors of occupational science publications do not have OS degrees. However, they often have research-focused doctoral degrees such as a PhD, and they often (but not always) come from an occupational therapy background.
In the US, there are two formal degrees in occupational science. However, graduates with many other types of degrees can also participate in the OS field.
Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Science:
What is it?
4-year undergraduate degree most often offered as a preparatory degree for a higher entry-level occupational therapy degree.
Who is a good fit for this degree?
Students interested in a strong occupation-based education prior to entering into an entry-level OT degree program.
Students interested in exploring the everyday activities and lived experience of humans, particularly those with disabilities.
What can you do with this degree?
Largely used to enter into an entry-level occupational therapy program.
Does not allow you to practice as an occupational therapy assistant or occupational therapist.
Qualifies you for any position that requires a 4-year degree.
PhD in Occupational Science:
What is it?
4 to 6-year degree focused on formal research training to conduct systematic inquiry and investigation. Requires extensive coursework and the independent completion of a “dissertation.”
Who is a good fit for this degree?
Students or practitioners interested in developing specific research skills to examine questions related to the experience and impacts of occupation on human experience, health, well-being, and participation.
Students interested in teaching within OT programs at research-focused institutions.
What can you do with this degree?
Conduct formal research in academic institutions.
Teach in occupational therapy and occupational science programs.
Conduct systematic research in industry or consulting.
Other Degrees:
What is it?
Any other available degree that engages with the “doing” of human life. To engage in the research side of OS, a terminal research-level degree is likely important. Length and approach for these degrees depend on discipline and institution.
Who is a good fit for this degree?
Students who find the focus or angle of study in another discipline more in line with their interests.
Students who want to bring knowledge from other disciplines back to the occupational science discussion. (For example, there are scholars who discuss occupational science from the angle of geography, anthropology, public health, or sociology, just to name a few.)
Outside of the US: This varies widely. However, occupational science and occupational therapy are often more integrated in other locations around the world. As such, international OT degrees may have more of an opportunity to be OS-focused.
To learn more about occupational therapy-related degrees, check out our post, “Which OT Degree?”
How does occupational science relate to other, similar disciplines like anthropology or sociology?
Studying the everyday lives of humans is not a new interest for researchers. Anthropologists, sociologists, economists, public health researchers, and other social science professionals have studied the particular and aggregated ways humans do life together. In fact, the originators of the formal academic discipline of occupational science in the US context (Clark et al., 1991) were trained as educators, human development specialists, anthropologists, educational psychologists, and occupational therapists. It is important to acknowledge the roots of the discipline and consistently be in conversation with these other disciplines moving forward.
Clark and colleagues (1991) described the distinction of occupational science based on “tradition and emphasis” rather than pure scope of content. The roots of occupational science in occupational therapies across the globe situate it differently than disciplines that emerged from other dialogues and practices. Additionally, the OS discipline’s emphasis on the “doing” of “occupation” in the broad arena of human experience is unique. As scholars tangle with an evolving definition of “occupation,” the disciplinary identity of OS wrestles with other disciplines that focus on concepts like “behavior” or “activity.” This conversation is part of the fun of occupational science.
What tensions have there been around occupational science?
The value and purpose of any basic science is to debate, question, and examine ideas—old and new—in a scientific manner. Therefore, at any given time, there are debates and discussions happening within the literature about concepts, methods, and ideas. Here are just a few major examples of discussion topics that have made a splash in the occupational science realm:
The OT/OS Gap: In the US context, occupational science was developed as a basic science to inform occupational therapy as well as increase its power within the hierarchy of academia through the development of a formal academic discipline.
Because of the need to defend this new discipline, the originators argued for a clear delineation between occupational therapy research and occupational science, noting that occupational science should focus on the study of occupation rather than the occupational therapy process. This meant occupational science could, but should not be required to, directly inform occupational therapy.
This cultivated a barrier between the two fields that somewhat lingers today in North American contexts and in the major Journal of Occupational Science. Occupational science has sometimes been seen as elitist or exclusive. However, many see this gap and culture improving. For example, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Journal, Occupational Therapy Journal of Research (OTJR), has an occupational science publication track.
In other geographic contexts, the delineation between occupational science and occupational therapy research has not been so stark. Occupational therapy journals from Brazil, Chile, South Africa, and Scandinavia more regularly publish research and theorization focused on occupation—rather than therapeutic processes—often considering this a branch of occupational therapy research.
Individualism and Social Situations: Rooted in occupational therapy’s practices, health systems, and other cultural belief systems in the US, occupation was originally understood to be a deeply individual experience with qualities rooted in individual autonomy. Individuals made their occupations what they were. More recently, however, drawing from occupational therapies and sciences from the Global South, occupational science scholars have critiqued assumptions of individualism and autonomy. This work highlights the ways social systems, relationships, environments, and cultures influence human occupation and its outcomes not only for individuals, but also for communities and populations. The occupational justice framework is an example of this turn within occupational science. Today, critical occupational science is a specific focus area for some scholars who look intensely at social systems and structures that engage with occupation to create injustices. It is widely accepted that occupation emerges from the tension between individuality and social situatedness.
Colonialism: Not unique to occupational science or occupational therapy, colonization and imperialism have deeply influenced the development and propagation of the discipline throughout the world. Dominant groups have historically—both intentionally and unintentionally—excluded and actively invalidated the beliefs, experiences, studies, and theories of non-Eurocentric experience. In more recent decades, occupational science scholars have tried to dig at this reality, at times challenging the discipline to take a more anti-oppressive and “decolonizing” stance. This has led to, for example, the Journal of Occupational Science’s effort to increase publications in multiple languages and publish an “Anti-Racism” special issue. Yet, colonialism is still very much present, and tangling with its realities inevitably instigates some tension.
What are the options for keeping up with advancements in occupational science?
You can keep up with occupational science developments by joining occupational science associations, reading occupational science literature, and connecting with occupational science colleagues.
Associations include:
We also recommend this OS connections page from the Society for the Study of Occupation to find more information!
Conclusion
Though closely related, occupational science and occupational therapy are two distinct professional areas. Many of the research concepts explored by occupational scientists have important implications for OT practice, and having a strong foundation in OS can strengthen an OT’s approach to treatment. But, the realm of OS has far-reaching implications and applications beyond health care.
We hope this article has left you with a clearer understanding of these important disciplines and how they—both separately and together—tie into the push to create better, more equitable human experiences for individuals and communities.
Contributors
