Keynote Lecture
Dr. Karen Jacobs
Karen Jacobs, OT, Ed.D., OTR, CPE, FAOTA earned a doctoral degree at the University of Massachusetts in Educational Leadership in Schooling, a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Boston University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Jacobs is a past president and vice president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). She has received 40 awards and honors including being a 2005 recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Akureyri in Akuryeri, Iceland; the 2009 recipient of the Award of Merit from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT); received the Award of Merit from the American Occupational Therapy Association in 2003; and the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award.
Since completing her doctorate in 1993, she has authored, co-authored, edited or co-edited more than 80 peer reviewed journal articles; 24 book chapters, and 24 books such as: Occupational Therapy Essentials for Clinical Competency (3 editions), The AOTA Occupational Therapy Manager, Ergonomics for Therapists (2 editions), Health Professional as Educator (2 editions) and Work Practice: International Perspectives.
Dr. Jacobs is the founding editor-in-chief of the international, interprofessional journal, WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation (IOS Press, The Netherlands).
Dr. Jacobs is the Associate Dean, Digital Learning and Innovation, a clinical professor of occupational therapy and the program director of the online post-professional doctorate (OTD) in occupational therapy program at Boston University. She has worked at Boston University for 38 years and has expertise in the development and instruction of on-line graduate courses, use of technology to enable social participation among various populations of persons with disabilities, ergonomics, and health care marketing.
Dr. Jacobs’ research examines the interface between the environment and human capabilities. In particular, she examines the individual factors and environmental demands associated with increased risk of functional limitations among various populations especially with working from home.
In addition to being an occupational therapist with 42 years of experience, Dr. Jacobs is a certified professional ergonomist (CPE), a fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES); and is a consultant in ergonomics, marketing and entrepreneurship.