In this featured speech from the AOTF/AOTA Institute for Future Scientists, 2026 AOTF Academy of Research Inductee, Dr. Kristie Patten, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA, shares hard-won lessons from her research career and encourages the next generation of OT researchers to lead the field forward.
She discusses:
- Lessons learned from her own career
- Recognizing and confronting ableism in OT research
- Moving from deficit-based to strength-based framing
- Centering the disability community as paid co-researchers and partners
- Why she sees today’s students as “the next frontier” of OT research
The Institute for Future Scientists is an AOTF/AOTA program for entry-level OT students interested in research. Learn more.