Bio

Ryan is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science and the Primary Lead for the Community Practice Lab in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Dr. Lavalley has over 10 years of experience in community practice. Broadly, his practice and research sits at the intersections of aging, housing, and anti-oppression. In community, he has experience conducting qualitative research, community program development, coalition building, and program evaluation in partnership with multiple community organizations including non-profits, local governments, and community institutions. His research has explored collective processes of everyday life and the sociological implications of doing together in community, including both positive outcomes such as language inclusion and negative outcomes such as racism.

Further, Dr. Lavalley is an active member of the occupational science and occupational therapy community. He is currently the National Chair for the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) and a coordinating member of the International Social Transformation through Occupation Network (ISTTON). He also hosts a smart, driven, and fabulous podcast called Dr. thOTs with his colleague and good judy Dr. Khalilah Johnson. Previously, he has served as the Research Chair for the Society for the Study of Occupation: USA and Chair of Operations for COTAD National.  Personally, Dr. Lavalley is proudly queer and unapologetically political. He originally hails from West Virginia and enjoys gardening and anything outdoors.