M. Shone Joos, was the recipient of the 2024 COTF Innovation in Education Research Grant. Her research is helping shape how future occupational therapists prepare for practice.
Building a career in OT education
Shone Joos is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. A graduate of the University of Toronto, she completed a BSc in 1994 and an MSc in Occupational Therapy in 1998, and has since built a career dedicated to occupational therapy education.
Shone’s current academic focus centres on OT education, simulation, mentorship, and professional identity formation, with emphasis on supporting student readiness for practice and fieldwork.
“What I love about being an OT in education is supporting future occupational therapists as they develop their professional identities. Seeing their confidence grow as they recognize their strengths and potential impact is incredibly rewarding.”
The impact of a COTF Innovation in Education Research Grant
Receiving the COTF Innovation in Education Research Grant provided meaningful support for Shone’s work in simulation-based occupational therapy education. The funding made it possible to pursue a research project examining how simulated learning experiences can influence first-year OT students’ confidence and perceived readiness for fieldwork.
In addition to supporting the research itself, the grant enabled her to bring together a collaborative team of OT researchers, further strengthening the project and contributing to her ongoing development as an education scholar.
Research spotlight: Evaluating the Impact of Simulated Standardized Client Experiences on First-Year Occupational Therapy Students’ Self-Confidence and Perceived Readiness for Fieldwork
Principal Investigator:
Professor M. Shone Joos
Co-Investigators:
Prof. Naomi Davids-Brumer
Dr. Yani Hamdani
Dr. Emily Ho
Dr. Anne Hunt
Dr. Liza Pain
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy,
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
The project explores how simulated standardized client experiences can enhance students’ learning early in their training, helping them feel more prepared and confident as they move toward fieldwork placements.
Advice for future COTF research grant applicants
Shone encourages others interested in OT education and research to consider applying for COTF funding.
“Beyond funding, receiving a COTF scholarship is an affirmation of your potential and passion for advancing occupational therapy.”
Through her research, Shone hopes to contribute to stronger educational practices that support OT students as they transition into clinical environments, ultimately benefiting both learners and the clients they will serve.