About- Karen Jacobs

Twitter and Instagram: @promotingot

Karen Jacobs, Ed.D., OT, OTR, CPE, FAOTA is the master mind behind Occupational Therapy Global Day of Service (OTGDS).

Dr. Karen Jacobs is a distinguished occupational therapist with a career spanning over four decades. She is the Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation, the Program Director of the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy program and a Clinical Professor of occupational therapy at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree with expertise in various areas, including ergonomics, artificial intelligence, marketing, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. Her passion for enhancing occupational performance has led to extensive research, publications, and presentations worldwide.

Dr. Jacobs has played a pivotal role in advancing backpack safety through AOTA’s National Backpack Awareness Day and promoting the recognition of occupational therapy through the creation of Occupational Therapy Global Day of Service.

As a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA), the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), Dr. Jacobs has been recognized for her outstanding contributions as a scholar, professor, advocate, and mentor, who has inspired countless students and practitioners.

Throughout her career, Dr. Jacobs has held leadership positions such as the president and vice president of the American Occupational Therapy Association contributing to the growth and development of occupational therapy at both national and international levels and received awards including being a 2005 recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in Iceland and the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award.. Her advocacy for the profession is underscored by her involvement in various organizations and committees, working tirelessly to promote occupational therapy as an essential component of healthcare.

Dr. Jacobs has authored numerous publications, including books and articles and is the founding editor-in-chief in 1990 of the journal WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation.

In addition to being an occupational therapist, Karen is also a certified professional ergonomist (CPE) and the founding editor-in-chief of the international, interdisciplinary journal WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation (IOS Press, The Netherlands). She also provides consulting services in ergonomics and entrepreneurship.

Karen is the host of two podcasts, HealthMatters@BUSargent and Learn at WORK.