2013 Ruth Zemke Lecture in Occupational Science: Embracing and enacting \u27the occupational imagination\u27: Occupational science as transformative

A growing body of scholars have highlighted the contemporary importance of enhancing the commitment and capacity of occupational science to address significant social problems of relevance to occupation. Starting with the conceptualization of radical sociology proposed by C. Wright Mills in “The Sociological Imagination” (1959), I argue that embracing an occupational imagination is key to enhancing our discipline’s critical, transformative potential. This would enable occupational scientists to critically and creatively make connections between the personal, occupational ‘troubles’ of individuals and public ‘issues’ related to historical and social forces. Enacting an occupational imagination will require fostering a critical sensibility amongst scholars that involves pushing beyond the limits of dualistic thinking; attending to the socio-political nature of occupation; addressing the moral and political values that shape and energize our work; questioning that which seems familiar and exploring the unfamiliar; and engaging in innovative interdisciplinary syntheses. Following this presentation, audience members will gain an enhanced understanding of: Key tenets and characteristics of critical social science of relevance to the study of occupation. Ways that critical social science can be taken up within occupational science to develop an ‘occupational imagination’ and enhance the discipline’s transformative potential. Approaches to foster critical sensibility amongst scholars and students