Elections for the board of Occupational Science Europe were held in 2017. The call for nomination received a total of 11 electible candidates. After an online and open voting for OSE members (email list), two previous Board Members were re-elected and four new members joined the Board.
The new elected members are:
Sarah Kantartzis, PhD
Senior Lecturer Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK
I have been actively involved with OSEurope as Secretary of the Board for the past four years. I am now standing for re-election for a further two year period. The growth of OSEurope over the past few years across Europe is extremely exciting, and I would like to continue to be active in supporting this development, particularly in incorporating multiple perspectives and diverse understandings, including across disciplines. I believe that OSEurope has an extremely important role to play in developing occupation-based research, practice and education and I would like to see knowledge and understanding of occupation and its links to health and well-being become general public knowledge. My doctoral studies explored the concept of occupation in a Greek town, and much of my current teaching and research at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, UK is focusing on occupational science,
Dr. Katharina Maria Roese
University of Luebeck, Gemany
As an Occupational Science Europe board member since 2013 and a member of the local organizing committee for the OSE Conference in Hildesheim 2017 in Germany it has been a matter of concern to me to support the future advancement of occupational science in Germany and all of Europe. Personally I´m convinced that in-depth understandings of occupation from different perspectives of occupational science can support a reflective interdisciplinary practice in different settings and can also foster the reflection of norms and social-cultural conditions to initiate changes in our society. For these reasons I chose an occupational science perspective in my doctoral research and would like to continue my work within the OSE board. I would greatly appreciate if you would vote for me.
Dr. des. Kawthar El-Qasem
Architect, Doctoral thesis in Urban Sociology. Teaching at Hoschschule Düsseldorf, Germany
In my educational biography I got familiar with different theoretical and practical areas, including architectural and spatial theories and architecture, art theories and art, social sciences, activity theory, cultural studies, decolonial theory. This complied with my activities in anti-racism projects, intercultural and interreligious work and activism.
I was really overwhelmed by the self-concept of the OSE as it shows the readiness to face the challenge of diversity. This challenge poses a major difficulty which at the same time is a great opportunity to learn from each other and push forward an ongoing process of self-reflection. This provides OSE with a great perspective and potential of growth while preserving a down-to-earth-attitude which means enrichment and social impact. This is exactly what I was looking for. Therefore I feel very privileged that OSE crossed my way and I got to know this fresh community. I am looking forward to contribute to it, here I see myself in different roles. I want to be the one to ask questions, to advocate space, literally and figuratively, for building the European house of OSE and furnish it. In particular, I am interested to contribute and go for the further development of occupational (science) theory that I imagine to be set up of interdisciplinary ideas and theory bringing them together and creating a synergy-effect for the sake of the human benefit.
Miranda Cunningham
Lecturer occupational therapy, Plymouth University, UK
I am passionate about occupational science as a global subject and the possibilities for its future. Occupational science informed my master’s thesis and I intend to expand on this in my doctoral studies. I attended the Think Tank and OSE conference in Hildesheim and I was greatly impressed by the conference and the developing community of occupational scientists in Europe. I believe that this is a very exciting time for occupational science and occupational scientists and I would be honoured to serve the board and members of the network. Plymouth University has always played a role in the OSE network, instigating it back in 2011; I would be delighted to continue this legacy and will work hard with enthusiasm, creativity and commitment. I have experience of working on committees and my employer supports my application. Finally, as a European, I believe in an integrated community of occupational scientists across Europe and feel excited about the prospect of joining the OSE board.
Dr. Aileen Bergström,
Assistant professor, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
After her PhD, Aileen did a 1 year postdoc at Linneus University focusing on family and caregiver experiences. Since a little over a year ago, she joined the faculty at Karolinska Institutet and has taken on leadership roles within the educational curriculum and showed a genuine interest in topics relating to occupational science through academic forums, discussions, and most recently in putting together a panel for OSE in Hildesheim. Aileen is energetic, a critical thinker, and has a relevant international background.
Anne-Le Morville, PhD
Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Welfare, Dept. of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University, Sweden
Anne-Le has throughout her career as both as lecturer and researcher worked within the field of occupational science. Furthermore, Anne-Le has been active as board member in the former Danish Occupational Therapy Research Association, and has been board member in other contexts as well. Anne-Le has through her earlier position as international coordinator at the Metropolitan UC, Denmark and her Euro-master degree a good network within the European countries.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THESE CANDIDATES! We hope to see you involved in OSE! We would be honoured to have your commitment, motivation and expertise within the network (committees, activities, or any other idea you might have).
Big thank you to:
Mr Robin (‘Bob’) Clawley
Student, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
As a final year occupational therapy student, I am able to bring a student perspective to the board. I aim to engage students by exchanging ideas and developing their interest in occupational science. Using social media, I hope to establish a network of students and promote opportunities for them to engage with Occupational Science Europe during their studies and beyond. I will draw upon my experience as Student Counsellor and as the President of the multi-award winning Occupational Therapy Society at the University of the West of England to represent the views of European students. By working with people who share my passion for occupational science I hope to encourage and develop a greater, shared understanding of our differing cultural qualities.
Hanne Kaae Kristensen, PhD OT & OS
Senior Associate Professor at the Health Education Research Center, University College Lillebælt and Associate Professor at the Health Education Research Center in Rehabilitating, Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark
In the field of Occupational Science, Hanne has a leading role in Denmark. Her CV shows participants in many research projects and publication of scientific articles, including 21 articles in peer-reviewed international journals.
Hanne’s authorship also includes several books, finally yet importantly, she has participated in the editorial work of the book; Nordisk Aktivitetsvidenskab (2017).
Because of the above and because I know Hanne as a committed and attentive person, I am pleased to nominate her for the OSEurope board
Dr Anne Johnson
Consultant Occupational Therapist/Senior Lecturer
Bath Centre for Fatigue Services; University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
The importance of raising the profile of occupational science is a particular passion of mine. I consider that through employing and adding to the theory and language of occupational science, a greater understanding of the occupational nature of human beings can be achieved on an interprofessional basis. Additionally and crucially, acknowledging and exploring the resonance of underpinning philosophical frameworks will help strengthen the relevance of this growing and important field of science.
Kim Lee OT, Ph.D
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health, University college South Denmark
My reason for the nomination is that I would like to help work for the spread of occupational science also outside the circles of occupational therapy. I will further work for strengthen the community of occupational science in Europe and within the OT education in Denmark.
Dr John O’Shea
Senior Lecturer Occupational Therapy, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
I consider occupational science to be the corner stone of a knowledge base on which occupational therapy and related disciplines and professions, can draw on sound theoretical principles to underpin both research and practice. I am therefore very interested to be a part of this organisation as either Vice Chairperson or Chairperson of the Research committee, in order to help promote and support the development of occupational science.
Occupational Science Europe 