Dr. Karen Jacobs

Biography

Dr. Karen Jacobs is a distinguished occupational therapist with a career spanning over four decades. She serves as the Clinical Professor at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences and also holds the position of Associate Dean for Digital Learning Innovation. Dr. Jacobs earned her EdD degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University, and a Bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research and professional interests include ergonomics, artificial intelligence, marketing, and advocacy within the occupational therapy field. She has published extensively and has presented her work globally, contributing significantly to the advancement of the field. Recognized as a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Dr. Jacobs has received multiple awards for her leadership and mentorship, including the Fulbright Scholarship and the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award from AOTA. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been a central theme throughout her career as an occupational therapist and academician. Additionally, she has played key roles in various professional organizations and contributed to shaping occupational therapy at both national and international levels.

Research Interests