Shirley O’Brien

Shirley O'Brien, Ph.D., serves as a Foundation Professor in the College of Health Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Her office is located in Dizney Building 237, and she can be reached at shirley.obrien@eku.edu or 859-622-6329. Dr. O'Brien holds a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, an M.S. from Rush University, and a B.S. from Temple University.

Her research spans Sensory integration, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Online learning, and the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL). She investigates how occupational therapy practices can be enhanced through technology and educational innovations, particularly in school and transition settings for individuals with disabilities. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based approaches to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate a cohesive trajectory in occupational therapy education and practice. Key themes include assistive technology integration, student-centered learning in allied health programs, and collaborative models for academic research. These works highlight her commitment to bridging educational theory with clinical application across K-12 and higher education contexts.

Dr. O'Brien's contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards:

• Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association Distinguished Service Award (2024)
• Eastern Kentucky University College of Health Sciences Excellence in Scholarship Award (2022-2023)
• Inaugural Dr. Jerry Pogatshnik Graduate Faculty Award (2022)

As an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA), she engages in professional leadership while advancing scholarship through her publications. Her work consistently addresses critical gaps in transition services, educational technology, and collaborative practice models within occupational therapy.