Australasian Society of Occupational Scientists

About ASOS

1.1  Key Beliefs

• Occupation is a basic human need that is fundamental to health, well-being and social justice.
• Occupation encompasses all human pursuits. Occupation can be mental, physical, social, spiritual, restful, active, obligatory, self-chosen, paid or unpaid.
• Engagement in occupation is a dynamic interaction with the environment. The engagement in occupation is influenced by factors unique to the individual.
• Occupational science generates knowledge about the rich diversity of human occupation and the socio-cultural, political, economic, environmental, biological and other conditions to support healthy, satisfying, meaningful occupation for individual and communities in diverse world contexts.
• Occupational science adopts an interdisciplinary, multi-perspective approach to research, debate and activism.

1.2  Aims of ASOS

• to promote occupational science to professional, community and political groups
• to facilitate interdisciplinary discussion and debate about the relationship of occupation to health, wellbeing and social justice
• to support basic and applied research into all facets of occupation
• to establish an organisational structure for members which will promote the above aims and which will facilitate communication with other like-minded groups

1.3  ASOS Strategic Plan 2001-2005

• formalisation of ASOS structure
• preparation of policies to meet the operating costs of ASOS
• generation of an online occupational science forum which will promote equity, access and diversity for all members and other interested parties
• facilitation, in conjunction with Journal of Occupational Science (JOS Inc.), of an Australasian symposium at least every 2 years
• collaboration with tertiary education providers to promote occupational science

1.4 The Story of ASOS

• 8 September 2000 ASOS was established at the Australasian Occupational Science Symposium held at Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW.
• December 2000 The inaugural ASOS Executive was elected:

• April 2001 At a general meeting held by ASOS at the OT Australia National Conference in Brisbane, the objectives of ASOS were drafted and member subscription fees were set.
• May 2001 OccSci Listserver was launched. This occupational science list server was established in collaboration with the International Society of Occupational Scientists, ISOS.
• 13 July 2001 ASOS became an incorporated association under the NSW Association Incorporation Act, 1984, and was registered as a not-for-profit business with the Australian Taxation Office.
• May 2002 Bank accounts in the name of ASOS Inc. were opened in Australia and New Zealand.
• November 2002 The current Executive was elected:

• June 2004 The ASOS website was launched.
• February 2015 –  Occupational Science Symposium in Adelaide
• New Executive Officers –  Dr Mandy Stanley President
• Hugh Stewart Treasurer.
• 2016 Occupational Science symposium in New Zealand.
• 2018 New Web site launched