Most occupational science research and scholarship is grounded in a western paradigm, with its attendant assumptions of individualism, autonomy, purposefulness and meaning, progress and dominance over the environment. Yet occupations are enacted in a vast range of cultural, religious, social and economic milieu, and by people – as individuals and collectives – holding very different values and beliefs. As global society becomes ever more diverse, it is necessary to reconsider the worldview and concepts used in the study of occupation. Hence, this special issue seeks to further understandings of occupation beyond a western paradigm.
This call for papers is for theoretical, research, historical and review papers that offer non-western perspectives of occupation. Examples of topics include:
In-depth examination of an occupation or sphere of people’s occupational lives
How eastern values influence people’s decisions and choices about what to do
The ways in which occupations preserve or challenge cultural beliefs and aspirations
Indigenous or minority perspectives on occupation
Direct comparison of occupational performance and norms in western and non-western contexts
Ways the environment shapes culturally bound occupation
How occupations are categorised
Indigenous / non-western epistemologies methodologies or methodological issues in investigating occupation
Considerations for western researchers conducting research outside a western paradigm
Due date for submissions: 1st March 2018
Publication Issue: JOS 27(2), June 2019