## UNC OSOT Makes Impact at Occupational Science Europe Conference
In August,faculty adn students from UNC’s Division of Occupational science and Occupational Therapy (OSOT) participated in the biannual Occupational Science Europe Conference at the University of Essex in England. This international event brought together leading scholars to advance research in occupational science and explore its global applications.
The conference offered a rich programme of workshops, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. Notably, three UNC PhD students presented their dissertation research, elevating the university’s profile and demonstrating the high quality of the OSOT program to an international audience. Assistant Professor Ryan lavalley co-facilitated a pre-conference workshop with the International Social Transformation through Occupation Network (ISTTON), focusing on critically evaluating community projects to promote impactful change through an occupational science lens.He also led a stimulating discussion on the intersection of indigenous and queer theories within the field.
Assistant Professor Khalilah Johnson highlighted the importance of UNC’s strong presence at the conference, stating, “It’s a big deal that we had such a presence there… the feedback we received was overwhelming.” She expressed pride in the students’ ability to engage in scholarly dialog and handle critical feedback with confidence, reinforcing the strength of UNC’s doctoral program.
Beyond the formal conference activities, attendees immersed themselves in English culture, seeking out local experiences and connecting with residents. This shared experience fostered stronger bonds between students and faculty, creating a more supportive and collaborative learning habitat. johnson noted, “it was really cool… just being able to experience a new place with students. It’s one thing to see each other in the classroom, it’s another thing to hop on an airplane and fly 8 hours.”
The trip provided a valuable possibility for OSOT students to build international connections and further establish UNC as a prominent voice in the global occupational science community.
