Advancing Occupational Therapy: a New Strategy for Research and Innovation

A guest blog by Dr Gillian Ward, Head of Research and Innovation, Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). Today, RCOT have published their new Research and Innovation Strategy and action plan.

This May marks an important milestone for the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) as we unveil our new Research and Innovation Strategy. Forward-looking and co-produced it outlines a 10-year strategy, supported by an initial three-year action plan, designed to enhance the capacity of our workforce to engage in research and innovation and apply evidence-based practices. The goal? To empower our workforce, level up research, and turn evidence into practice—all to improve services and tackle health inequities.

Our vision and values
We want our members to be changemakers, driving research and innovation forward. Imagine a future where every occupational therapy professional—whether you’re a practitioner, educator, support worker, learner, or leader—embraces curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. By fostering a culture built on values like equity, diversity, and belonging, we can really make a difference to the lives of the people and communities we serve.

Why a collective effort matters
This strategy isn’t just for a select few it’s intended for the entire occupational therapy workforce across the UK, additionally, it includes decision-makers and those accessing occupational therapy services.

Research and innovation flourish when there is collective involvement. With more than 48,000 HCPC-registered occupational therapists, plus our amazing support workers, learners, and those with lived experience, we possess a unique opportunity to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

Moving forward together
This isn’t just about us at RCOT leading the way—it’s about sparking a movement. We’re challenging all of you to join us and commit to action. Imagine a professional culture where staying up to date with evidence isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must—and where contributing to research becomes second nature, where innovation is an instinctive response to challenges. That’s the future we’re working towards.

While RCOT commits to leading this initiative, the strategy calls upon all members of the profession to act. To truly transform occupational therapy, we must foster a culture where applying and contributing to evidence-based practice becomes a shared expectation.

Collaboration is fundamental to achieving this vision. By working with individuals with lived experience and forging partnerships with colleagues from nursing and other allied health professions, we can strengthen our presence, secure fair access to resources, and enhance the infrastructure needed to support occupational therapy research and innovation to amplify our impact.

Changing culture is not easy, and this strategy represents a call to action for our occupational therapy community. Together, we can ensure that research and innovation are at the core of our practice, ultimately transforming lives and communities for the better.

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