The Missing Curriculum: Occupational Enablement for Social Transformation

Occupational therapy education is required to prepare students for competencies related to justice and social transformation, yet many struggle to understand, plan for and find space to enact/facilitate social transformation within teaching and practice. This experiential workshop seeks to disrupt conventional pedagogical approaches by introducing two tools that facilitate meaningful social change through occupation within complex social systems.
Within the first session, attendees will engage in a PESTLE analysis. This aims to promote the critical examination of the lived realities and systemic/structural barriers within their chosen community, identifying inequities that hinder occupational justice. In the second part, a strategic thinking and action framework will be applied to develop concrete pathways for sustainable change. By integrating systems thinking, visioning, and creative problem-solving, attendees will explore how occupational therapists can position themselves as agents of transformation.
Through active participation and reflective dialogue, this workshop will challenge attendees to move beyond individualistic intervention models and embrace broader, socially responsive practices. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to integrate these tools into both their educational programmes and professional settings, ensuring that occupational therapy contributes meaningfully to social transformation rather than continuing to reinforce the status quo.