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Assistant Professor, Tenure Stream Opportunity in OS&OT

Assistant Professor – Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, invites applications for a full-time tenure stream position in the field of occupational science or occupational therapy. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2024.

The successful candidate will have a program of research and teaching experiences with a focus on critical current issues relating to occupational science or occupational therapy. The successful candidate’s scholarship will situate occupation as a key determinant of health and well-being across their program of research and creative professional activities.

The successful candidate must have a PhD in occupational science, occupational therapy, rehabilitation science or a related field and will have completed a minimum of one year of post-doctoral experience in the form of a fellowship or equivalent. In addition, a degree in occupational therapy from a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) approved educational program is preferred. Applicants with a degree in occupational therapy will be required to register with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. The successful candidate will be expected to establish and pursue an innovative, independent and competitively funded program of research.

Visit the University of Toronto Careers website for the full job description and instructions to apply for Assistant Professor – Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (Req. ID: 34065).

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

New Adjunct Lecturer Appointment Applications

The Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy will begin accepting applications for an INITIAL Adjunct Lecturer appointments starting January 5, 2024 until February 15, 2024.

The academic goals of the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy and the Rehabilitation Sciences Sector cannot be met without the participation of talented people from many institutions and agencies outside of the university. The aim of an Adjunct appointment is to recognize the participation of highly qualified and dedicated researchers, practitioners and members of the community in the academic and clinical education components of the programs.

Learn more about the criteria for an adjunct lecturer appointment and instructions to apply.

Call for PechaKucha Facilitators

We are looking for members of our clinical community who are interested in participating in the PechaKucha Presentations, to be held on February 12, 2024. If you have done this before, you know how much fun it is! Interested? Read more about this opportunity and how to get involved.

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream Opportunity in OS&OT

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream – Clinical Education in Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, invites applications for a full-time continuing teaching-stream appointment in the area of occupational science and occupational therapy. The successful candidate will be appointed as Director of Clinical Education. This position will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream and will start on January 1, 2024 or shortly thereafter.

The successful candidate must have a PhD or other doctorate degree in occupational science, occupational therapy, rehabilitation science, or a related field at the time of the appointment or shortly thereafter; will have a degree in occupational therapy from a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)-approved educational program; at least three years of experience as an occupational therapy educator, and at least five years of experience as a practicing occupational therapist. Eligibility for registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario is required. Candidates must have a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and evidence of excellence in innovative scholarship, as well as teaching expertise in an entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy program, including lecture preparation and delivery, and curriculum development. Additionally, candidates must possess proven leadership abilities and a demonstrated commitment to excellent pedagogical practices and teaching-related scholarly activities. Teaching will include clinical education as part of the MScOT program. Candidates must also convey a demonstrated commitment to, and appreciation of, equity, diversity and inclusion issues impacting student mental health, learning experiences and access to the program.

Visit the University of Toronto Careers website for the full job description and instructions to apply for Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream – Clinical Skills and Theory in Occupational Science & Therapy (Req. ID: 28814).

Interested in Being a Mentor?

Join us as an OT mentor and make a lasting impact on future Occupational Therapists!

Q: What is the OCT 1190Y Mentorship course?

A: Mentorship and Interprofessional Education (IPE) (OCT1190Y) is a 2-year, 6-term course. As a mentor, you’ll work with a small group of students to enhance their communication and reflective practice skills while supporting their professional growth in a collaborative learning environment. You’ll play a crucial role by facilitating a space for students to examine and improve their attitudes, behaviours, and skills, contributing to their growth as future occupational therapists.

Q: What are my responsibilities as a mentor?

A: The mentorship program offers a rewarding opportunity for occupational therapists to assist in the development of students’ professional identity. Effective facilitation skills are essential for mentors to guide students and provide an environment that encourages risk-taking and personal growth. The Mentorship and IPE course is an excellent opportunity for OTs who wish to enhance their leadership skills and increase their involvement in the university curriculum. By participating in this program, you can positively impact students’ lives while advancing your professional growth.

Q: What is the time commitment?

A: Mentorship groups meet for 90 minutes approximately every 2 weeks (and do not meet when students are on fieldwork placements). There are 12-14 sessions during Year 1 and 13 sessions in Year 2 (~50 to 55 contact hours over 2 years).

Tell us about your interest in being a mentor and to get more information about the role by filling out the form.

Contact Daniela Testani for more information: daniela.testani@mail.utoronto.ca, and download the poster to learn more.

Exploring virtual reality as a teaching tool in occupational therapy

We are always looking for opportunities to bring new technology into the classroom and make learning more engaging for our students. Virtual reality, or VR, is an emerging technology that has the potential to be used in classrooms as a teaching tool to help students ‘feel’ the content.

Last month, our second-year MScOT students at both the Mississauga and St. George campuses participated in a research study to understand if and how virtual reality can be used to supplement or improve the traditional curriculum.

Students trialed four different virtual reality modules using four different technology options:

A 360° video designed to teach compassion as students see a video from the point of view of a COVID-19 patient receiving bedside care.
An animated interactive scenario where students practice assessing a patient in a hospital bed.
An anatomy learning module about the spatial relationship between upper limb bones, muscles and nerves.
A 360° video that teaches students about research planning during a team meeting.

After completing each module, students were asked to share their reflections and feedback on where in the OS&OT curriculum VR would be best used to improve student learning outcomes. This study was led by faculty members Andrea Duncan, Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, and Emily S. Ho from OS&OT and Heather Thompson from Nursing. Faculty shared that students were enthusiastic to try out VR headsets and provide feedback to help future OS&OT learners.
So, will future students be purchasing VR headsets in lieu of textbooks? TBD. While VR is a promising technology and may be a great tool to bring lessons to life in the classroom, Andrea said they are still evaluating if it leads to better understanding of course material.

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in OS&OT

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, invites applications for a full-time continuing teaching stream appointment in the field of occupational science and occupational therapy. The successful candidate will be appointed as Graduate Coordinator. This position will be at the rank of Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream and will start on July 1, 2023, or shortly thereafter.

The successful candidate must have a PhD in occupational science, occupational therapy, rehabilitation science, or a related field at the time of the appointment; will have a degree in occupational therapy from a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)-approved educational program; at least three years of experience as an occupational therapy educator, and at least five years of experience as a practicing occupational therapist. Additionally, candidates must possess proven leadership abilities and a demonstrated commitment to excellent pedagogical practices and teaching-related scholarly activities. Teaching will include clinical skills and theories as part of the MScOT program. Candidates must also convey a demonstrated commitment to, and appreciation of, equity, diversity and inclusion issues impacting student mental health, learning experiences and access to the program.

OS&OT alum creates helmet for Sikh kids

OS&OT alumna Tina Singh draws on her graduate studies to create helmet for Sikh kids

For years, occupational therapist Tina Singh felt frustrated when trying to find helmets that would fit her three active young sons – they wear a patka, or cloth head covering, that is smaller than a turban but still covers their long hair – as they began to ride bicycles and play team sports such as hockey.

“As an occupational therapist, of course it was important that my kids had to have a helmet,” Singh says. “But when I tried to put helmets on them and they didn’t fit, my husband and I tried to tie their hair a different way – we tried a bunch of things and still nothing quite fit right.”

An occupational therapist whose work focused on patients with acquired brain injuries, Singh dove into the process of designing a proper helmet that includes a small domed section on the top to accommodate a child’s hair – and found herself thinking back to her master’s studies in the department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy. She says the program’s holistic, comprehensive approach made her realize she could use her skills in many different ways.

“I felt there was a lot of practical application in everything we were studying,” Singh says from her home in Brampton, Ont. “Occupational therapy is such a broad area and we got a little taste of everything in the program. I knew that I would always have the opportunity to do different things within the field, such as universal design, product development and business – all of which I ended up doing for my current project.”

After having an engineer produce renderings of her design, Singh found a manufacturer to produce a prototype that could be tested. A few iterations later, the helmet – which is designed for kids aged five and up and can be used for skateboarding, kick-scootering or rollerblading – passed the required safety testing and is now available for pre-orders in Canada.

Singh, who worked as a rehab coach during her undergraduate years, says she chose to do a master’s degree at U of T after deciding to become an occupational therapist. “The program really felt like the ideal fit. It’s the foundational skills I still find useful to this day, such as looking at the whole person and how we look at everyday life. That way of thinking just sticks with you – and it doesn’t just apply to your work, but to everything around you,” she says.

The program really felt like the ideal fit. It’s the foundational skills I still find useful to this day, such as looking at the whole person and how we look at everyday life. That way of thinking just sticks with you – and it doesn’t just apply to your work, but to everything around you.

The teachings and encouragement of one professor in particular has stayed with Singh many years after graduation.

“Andrea Duncan really helped guide me and it felt like I always had someone to look to when I needed advice on how to move forward. I feel like even if I saw her today, I could have those same open conversations with her about my career.”

Duncan, an assistant professor in the department of occupational science and occupational therapy, says she’s delighted to have made an impact on one of her former students – and to hear how Singh used her learnings in the program to innovate.

“Tina took my professional practice course, which is dedicated to developing systems thinking and business skills for occupational therapy students. Tina definitely stood out amongst her peers, and I am not surprised that she has gone on to become an ‘OTpreneur,’” Duncan says. “We are very proud of her and all her endeavours.”

Excerpt of story by Tabassum Siddiqui, U of T News, published February 6, 2023. Read the full story

Valuing Black Life, Histories and Futures

MScOT student shares her perspective

As we discuss anti-Black racism in our own institutions, the question arises: Outside Black History Month, how does one value Black life, histories and futures?

Grace Videla-Nash, MScOT student, shares her thoughts.

She says, “I celebrate Black life by engaging in educational activities such as reading articles that address systematic racism. A recent article that I came across suggested approaches to building a community for racialized therapists and students, and the benefits of representation in leadership roles.

Another way I am involved with advancing Black life throughout the year is my affiliation with associations such as the Black Occupational Therapists of Ontario Association (BOTOA), which aims to eliminate racial discrimination within occupational therapy. The association advocates for justice issues that affect Black individuals to advance health equity within Black communities.

Lastly, a great way to commemorate Black culture is by sharing newfound information with others, whether through social media or in conversations with friends and family. By spreading knowledge, I can promote the understanding and appreciation for the contributions and experiences of Black people in academic and health settings.”

Read the full story, Valuing Black Life, Histories and Futures: Perspectives from Temerty Medicine

Riya Shah receives 2023 U of T Student Leadership Award

Second-year MScOT student Riya Shah has been selected to receive a 2023 University of Toronto Student Leadership Award (UTSLA).

During her time in the program, Riya has taken on various leadership positions and been involved with several activities to help contribute to the department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. As co-president of the OS&OT Student Association, she collaborates with other students to organize events to improve student life for her peers. She is also the OS&OT Graduate Ambassador where she helps prospective students make a decision about their MSc program and guide them into the right profession. She says, “I hope that I can continue to contribute to student engagement and give back to the OT community and my peers in a meaningful way.”

Congratulations, Riya, on this wonderful achievement and thank you for your contributions to the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Temerty Faculty of Medicine!