Our Strategic Action Plan

(2025–2032)

A montage of images from OSOT including students and faculty in a variety of teaching, research and social settings

Ben Mortenson

Welcome!


“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry​

The UBC Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy is in a unique position to influence education, practice, research and policy provincially and beyond. Over the next seven years, we will work together to advance occupational therapy and occupational science and to support students, staff and faculty and our extended community in this process. ​​

The plan acts as a starting point. As a living document, it will evolve with your ongoing participation and involvement, whether you are a faculty or staff member, a student in one of our programs, a clinician or administrator, or simply someone who is passionate about occupational therapy and occupational science.

Dr. Ben Mortenson
Department Head


Our Vision


OSOT students working on a project at a table, 2022

Just and equitable occupational participation
for all.


Our Mission


MOT student working on handsplints at the OSOT Surrey site, 2024

To advance occupational therapy and occupational science, promote exceptional healthcare, and improve people’s lives through inclusive education, research, and advocacy.


Our Values


Vancouver and Surrey MOT students at the OSOT Indigenous Welcome event, 2024

We commit to working together in the spirit of:

Respect

Treating one another with integrity, compassion, and humanity, and working together as partners.

Inclusion

Striving to ensure all people, including those who have been persistently and systematically excluded, feel safer and have a voice.

Justice & Equity

Fostering respectful relationships among humans, other living things, lands, waters, systems, and institutions, while promoting fairness and access to rights and resources.

Sustainability

Acting as responsible stewards and supporting the long-term viability of our work.

Curiosity, Creativity & Innovation

Embracing discovery, learning, and understanding.​


Our Goals, Actions and Measures


Wheelchair skills day at ICORD, 2024

Core Area: People & Belonging

We aspire to grow and nurture a vibrant and inclusive community where people with diverse perspectives and experiences co-create a sense of belonging.


MOT students in class at the OSOT Surrey site, 2024

Core Area: Education

We aspire to provide an inclusive, evidence-informed occupational therapy and occupational science educational program using innovative teaching methods. ​

We support our graduates to become highly-skilled, reflective, and confident life-long learners. ​

​We educate learners as future leaders who advocate for equitable access to occupational participation at individual, local, national, and international levels.


Dr. Julia Schmidt and research team presenting at BC Consensus on Brain Injury, 2024

Core Area: Research

We aspire to foster a research environment that collaborates across health and social disciplines, engages with community, clinicians, people with lived experience, and decision-makers to create, translate, and implement research and knowledge for the benefit of society.


Dr. Jill Zwicker and Dr. Skye Barbic at the Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program welcome back social, 2024

Core Area: Organization & Governance

We aspire to have systems and processes in place that align with our values, and that are articulated in a logical, systematic, and clear manner.


Taking Action


To enact our plan, the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy will prioritize our goals and actions, and direct time and resources to accomplish each initiative outlined.​

We will provide updates on each prioritized action monthly at our Department Executive Council and we will track overall progress on the plan annually.​

As a living document the strategic plan will be regularly reviewed and refreshed if needed at its mid-point (2028).​

Thank you for your ongoing contributions to making this strategic plan a reality.

Resources


Cover of Strategic Action Plan 2025-2032

Strategic Action Plan (2025-2032)

Download a pdf of the full OSOT Strategic Action Plan (from November 2024).

Video image of Strategic Action Plan inside player

Video Presentation

Watch Dr. Ben Mortenson introduce the Strategic Action Plan at the virtual launch in November 2024. Video duration: 24:15.

Department Head Dr. Ben Mortenson, and faculty and staff at the Strategic Plan retreat, July 2024

Strategic Planning Process

Read about the strategic planning process, our consultation points and the working group and community advisory group who have supported this journey.

Group photo of MOT students at the Capstone Conference 2024

Contact us

If you have any questions or comments about this plan, please use our website form or contact:

Dr. Ben Mortenson
Department Head ben.mortenson@ubc.ca