Assistant Professor of Teaching (on sabbatical until July 2026)
pronouns: she/her
phone: 604–822–7165
katie.leebunting@ubc.ca
Profile
Occupational therapy seemed like a natural fit, as I sought to combine my undergraduate studies in ecology and love of working with people. I graduated with my MScOT from the University of Toronto in 2004.
I feel very fortunate and deeply grateful to have worked with a diversity of folks across practice contexts over 10 years as an occupational therapist. I transitioned to occupational education in 2014 and I am a firm believer in values-based teaching, using a critical and relational approach (you can read more about my approach to teaching here – hyperlinked).
Outside of work, I value the time I spend with my family, my senior dog Sid, and my friends. In particular, I find meaning and joy in cooking and spending time in nature (and occasionally binge-watching tv!)
I have profound gratitude to the Stó:lō Nation, the səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation, and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation, who are, and have always been, stewards to the lands that now nourish me and my family. I am of Irish and French settler background.
Research
I am interested in understanding how an occupational perspective is taught and evaluated, the use of non-traditional pedagogies in fostering deep learning in occupational therapy education, and centring relationship in teaching.
Teaching
As an educator, I strive to facilitate the development of compassionate, curious, and reflexive learners. I work to create learning spaces where students can use their many gifts and deep knowledge, both academic and lived, in their occupational therapy education.
I believe in the transformative power of educational spaces, through community building, welcoming our whole-selves to learning, and challenging traditional educational power structures.
I seek to design learning experiences that stretch students’ minds and hearts by exercising students’ creativity and curiosity, skills that are essential as occupational scientists and occupational therapists.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Opportunities
I am not currently supervising any research students.
Affiliations
- Registrant, College of Occupational Therapist of British Columbia
- Member, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
- Member, World Federation of Occupational Therapists
- Member, International Society of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Select Publications
Please refer to my profile on Google Scholar.