Rebecca Aldrich

Rebecca Aldrich, PhD, OTR/L, is a Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California. Her research focuses on sociopolitical influences on daily life, particularly addressing long-term unemployment as a 'wicked problem.' She holds a BS and MA in Occupational Therapy from USC and a PhD in Occupational Science from UNC Chapel Hill.

Dr. Aldrich’s work critiques assumptions about occupation and emphasizes global partnerships to advance social and occupational justice education. She has received accolades for innovative teaching, scholarship of teaching and learning, and mentoring faculty in research and writing. Her publications span peer-reviewed journals and textbooks in occupational science and therapy.

Her research interests include occupational in/justice, Deweyan philosophy, and critical perspectives on occupation. She previously served as an Associate Professor at Saint Louis University before joining USC in 2018.