معرفی
Laura Yvonne Bulk serves as an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine. Her academic work centers on advancing disability justice through critical analysis of institutional barriers in health professions education and occupational therapy practice.
Her educational foundation includes:
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with anti-oppressive focus
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- PhD completed under Dr. Tal Jarus emphasizing community-centered research
Dr. Bulk's research program critically examines belonging mechanisms for disabled individuals in academia and healthcare through frameworks like the Belonging in Academia Model (BAM). She pioneers research-based theatre to transform empathy in health education and investigates invisible labor in accessibility co-creation. Her scholarship consistently centers epistemic justice, challenging traditional knowledge hierarchies by prioritizing disabled communities' lived expertise. Current projects include PARCOURS (accessible recreation standards) and JEDI integration in research methodology.
Analysis of her 30+ publications reveals a cohesive trajectory toward dismantling ableism in occupational science. Her work uniquely bridges Critical Disability Studies with practical healthcare education reform, particularly through arts-based methods and dual-role identity research. The 2022-2025 publications show increasing focus on systemic change via policy analysis and institutional accountability frameworks.
Dr. Bulk has not been associated with any scientific awards in the provided documentation.
Her educational impact spans multiple domains:
- Developed UBC's accessibility support systems for health profession students (2020-present)
- Created interdisciplinary graduate courses on occupation and justice
- Pioneered mentorship models through PIE-OT for international occupational therapists
- Advocated for disability-inclusive fieldwork education standards
She collaborates intensively with UBC's Centre for Accessibility and health program partners to implement findings. Her community-engaged approach extends to spiritual communities and outdoor recreation advocacy, notably through user-driven research on winter accessibility standards. Current work focuses on translating the Belonging in Academia Model into institutional practice across Canadian health education programs.
