• Education:BA in Psychology, Washington University, 1973
    MS in Occupational Therapy, Boston University, 1979
    EdD in Educational Leadership in Schooling, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1993
  • Phone:617-353-7516

Scholarly, Research, and/or Practice Interests

Karen Jacobs’ research and scholarly pursuits examine the interface between the environment and human capabilities. In particular, she is investigating the individual factors and environmental demands associated with increased risk of functional limitations among populations of university and middle school aged students, particularly in notebook computing, the use of iPads, wearing backpacks, and using telehealth technologies to deliver occupational therapy services. Her research has been supported by grants from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Office Ergonomics Research Committee (OERC), and the Harvard-NIOSH Education and Research Center as well as  gifts from Hewlett Packard and Microsoft.

Jacobs is the founding editor of the interdisciplinary, international journal Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation. She has published and presented widely on the topics of ergonomics and marketing. She is the author of Ergonomics for Therapists and Occupational Therapy: Work-Related Programs and Assessments; coeditor of Quick Reference Dictionary for Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Essentials for Clinical Competence, and AOTA’s OT Manager (5th edition). Jacobs is the past-president and vice-president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE). She is a 2005 recipient of The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship, the 2009 recipient of the Award of Merit from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), the Award of Merit from the American Occupational Therapy Association in 2003, and the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award from AOTA. In addition, she is a Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and the International Ergonomics Association (IEA).

Current Projects

 

Courses Taught

Entry-level OTD courses

Post-professional OTD courses

Publications

 

Grant Activity

  • Co-PI on a 5-year NIDRR with Kent State University, JBS International, Inc., West Virginia University, and Boston University entitled, Project Career: Development of an Interprofessional Demonstration to Support the Transition of Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries from Post secondary Education to Employment.
  • National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), US Department of Education, Project Career: Development of an Interprofessional Demonstration to Support the Transition of Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries for Postsecondary Education to Employment, 10/13-9/18, Total Amount-$2.5 million. Subcontract, PI Amount to Boston University-$405,000.
  • National Science Foundation International Partnerships for Science and Technology (IPSAT), Inculcating ergonomics into Sri Lankan setting. Resource Person Award Promoting international research collaborations, technology transfer, and at obtaining expertise towards developing a globally-engaged research and scientific community in Sri Lanka, 5/13, collaborator Dr. Kapila Jayaratne.
  • Boston University Arts Initiative, Office of the Provost, Arts Grant, 6/13.
  • A pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of the Telerehabilitation Computer Ergonomics System (tele-CES) in addressing computer use problems.
  • Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Dudley Allen Sargent Research Fund, 5/10.
  • Harvard-NIOSH Education and Research Center (ERC), University students’ notebook computer use, 7/09.
  • Middle Schools Students and their Notebook Computer Use. Microsoft. 9/12/08.
  • Boston University Sargent College Matching Funds, University Students and their Computer Use: An Inquiry-Based Learning Experience, 3/08.
  • Grants for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarship, University Students and their Computer Use: An Inquiry-Based Learning Experience GUTS Program, Boston University, 2/08.
  • The Office Ergonomics Research Committee (OERC), Phase II, University Students and their Notebook Computer Use, 9/07.
  • The Office Ergonomics Research Committee, University Students’ Notebook Computer Use.

Professional Activities

International Appointments

  • 2010-2012: Chairperson, Science, Technology, and Practice, International Ergonomics Association (IEA)
  • 2007-2012: Chairperson, Ergonomics for Children and Educational Environments (ECEE) Technical Committee of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)

National Appointments or Elected Positions

  • 1994-1997:  Vice-President, American Occupational Therapy Association
  • 1997-1998:  President-Elect, American Occupational Therapy Association
  • 1998-2001: President, American Occupational Therapy Association
  • 2008-2013: Program Chair, Environmental Design (ED) Technical Group, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
  • 2013-2016:  Chair, Environmental Design (ED) Technical Group, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
  • 2014-2016: Chair, Outreach Division, Executive Council, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
  • State Appointments or Elected Positions (Massachusetts)
  • 1983-1993, 1995-1998, 2002-2013:  Chairperson/co-chairperson, Annual Conference, MAOT
  • 1984-1989: President, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy
  • 1985-1987:  Chairperson, Public Relations, MAOT

Awards and Honors

  • AOTA/AOTF Presidents’ Commendation in Honor of Wilma L. West, 2024
  • Linda Savino Award for Outstanding Political Activism: 2023, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy
  • IEA Fellow Award: 2022 International Ergonomics Association
  • Outstanding Mentor Award: 2019 American Occupational Therapy Association 
  • Distinguished Scholar & Fellow Member of the National Academies of Practice, 2015 National Academies of Practice
  • The Leaders & Legacies Society  2015 Founding Member, American Occupational Therapy Foundation
  • Service Commendation 2014 Member, Ad Hoc Committee on Health Care Reform, 2011-2013, American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Distinguished Leadership Award 2013 Touro College School of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Programs
  • Service Commendation: 2013 American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Honorary Scarlett Key: 2012 Boston University
  • Faculty-in-Residence Award: 2012 Boston University Office of Residence Life
  • Alumni Award: 2012 Boston University Department of OT
  • Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award: 2011 American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Award of Merit: 2009 Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
  • Twiness Award: 2009 Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College Alumni Board
  • AOTA Service Commendation: 2008 American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Keeper of the Flame Award: 2007 National Women’s Hall of Fame
  • Yu Wing Distinguished Scholar: 2006 Awarded by the Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Excellence in Advising: 2006 & 2007 Boston University Student Activities
  • The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship: 2005 Grant awarded in the bi-national program of educational exchanges between the United States and Iceland.
  • Herbert J. Hall Award: 2004 Awarded by the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy in recognition of professional contribution to occupational therapy.
  • Certificate of Appreciation: 2003 Salem State College
  • Award of Merit: 2003 Awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in recognition of extraordinary leadership in marketing, ergonomics, work, and management.
  • Board of Directors Award: 2003 Awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association in recognition of extraordinary service and outstanding  advocacy in advancing the interests of occupational therapy among various publics.
  • Letter of Appreciation: 2002 Awarded by New England Occupational Therapy Education Council as a significant contributor to the occupational therapy clinical education process.
  • Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters: 2001 Awarded by Bay Path College Longmeadow, Massachusetts for exemplary leadership skills.
  • Doctor of Science (honorary degree): 2000 Awarded by the University of Indianapolis in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of occupational therapy and for the development and promotion of the field to multiple external audiences.
  • Special Award, Department of  Occupational Therapy: 2000 Awarded by the faculty of the New York Institute of Technology for an outstanding professional role model.
  • Certificate of Appreciation for Dedicated Service: 1998 Awarded by the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy.
  • Recognition of Achievement  Award, American Occupational  Therapy Association:  1997 Awarded for distinguished national and international leadership in work-related practice.
  • Golden Key National Honor Society, honorary member: 1996
  • Service Award, AOTA: 1993, 1994, 1997, & 2001
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy: 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 & 2005
  • Fellow, AOTA:  1988 Awarded this recognition for  outstanding contributions to the profession.

Credentials and Licensed

  • Registered Occupational Therapist by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
  • Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) by the Board for Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE)
  • Licensed Occupational Therapist, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Licensed Occupational Therapist, State of New Hampshire
  • Licensed Occupational Therapist; State of Maine
  • Licensed Occupational Therapist; State of Connecticut

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