How do space and place influence our occupational pursuits? (Place can be defined broadly, as referring to geographical region, a rural versus urban environment, a workplace, a place for the pursuit of leisure, etc.). The conference will focus on this question, with special attention given to understanding occupation in the context of rural and northern environments. How does the context of a rural or northern environment affect the occupations that are or can be pursued? Does the meaning of occupation change depending on space and place? What does it mean to pursue a particular occupation in a particular place? How are the meanings of occupation and place intertwined?
Papers are invited to address this overarching theme, and the sub-themes of:
People change their occupations for a variety of reasons, such as economic, social, or health reasons. For example, sometimes we transition from one occupation to another because: we move to a new geographical area; the larger economy changes to make it impossible to continue old pursuits; we develop new interests; and/or bodily changes challenge us to learn to do things differently. Papers might address one or more of the following questions:
With particular reference to place, what societal, community and personal influences impact on how and when people change their occupations? How do occupations change, how do people adapt to and manage transitions in occupation? What is the significance of space and place in occupational transitions?
An indigenous occupation is one that is tied to place, either in the sense that it originated in a particular place but is now practiced elsewhere, or in the sense that it is ideally pursued in a specific place. Indigenous, that is, refers not only to First Nations people but can also be understood in a wider sense. Papers for this sub-theme could address one or more of the following questions:
How have changes in space and place influenced indigenous occupation? What economic, societal and community influences impacted upon indigenous occupation? How does the culture of a particular place affect occupations indigenous to that area?
While choice over occupations may be experienced by some people within particular areas of life, there are many influences that may set limits upon or facilitate particular choices people make regarding occupation. For example, women are more likely than men to engage in quilting. First Nations people living on a rural reserve are likely to organize their lives differently than those living elsewhere. In other words, occupation needs to be understood within a larger socio-economic context that both enables and constrains what it is possible to do. Papers for this sub-theme might address one or more of the following questions:
How is occupation constrained or enabled by place? What happens when the larger socio-economic environment changes to make it difficult or impossible to continue old occupational pursuits? How do gender and culture intersect with occupation and place?
This year we seek abstracts for paper, panel, and poster presentations addressing the conference theme and sub-themes.
Abstracts should be 350 words or less and submission forms will soon be available on this site. Mailed submissions must be postmarked by October 15, 2007 and electronic submissions must be received by 12:00 midnight on October 15, 2007.
CSOS encourages abstracts for paper presentations that will be scheduled for 30 minutes: 15 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes devoted to a planned discussion and question and answer period. Presenters must include a plan for leading a short discussion following the 15 minute presentation. Plan the content of your paper to accommodate this time frame.
Submission should be made by the first author and include title, abstract, and list of other authors/presentations and their affiliations.
Abstracts will be reviewed by a CSOS committee. Criteria for rating papers are:
CSOS encourages abstracts for panel sessions that focus on one of the three main theme areas that will be of interest to a significant number of the conference attendees. We expect 2-3 panellists to make brief yet informative presentations on a focused topic and then structure a stimulating discussion by the session participants. Panels will be comprised of 60 minutes, half of the panel sessions will be devoted to questions and discussion by the audience members and panelists. Panels may focus on:
Abstracts for panels will be reviewed by a CSOS committee. Criteria for rating panel submissions are:
es abstracts for posters that reflect the one of the conference themes.
Abstracts for posters will be reviewed by a CSOS committee. Criteria for rating posters are:
Posters will be available for viewing during the conference. Presenters will be given a time to describe and answer questions. Poster size will be maximum 4 feet high and 8 feet long.
More information: http://occupationalsciencecanada.dal.ca/OS/index.html