Will occupational science facilitate or divide the practice of occupational therapy?

Background: Prompted by a study day at last year's European Network of Occupational Therapists in Higher Education conference, this article explores the relationship between occupational therapy and occupational science in the context of the future development of the profession. Content: The authors consider some of the challenges currently being expressed within occupational therapy, particularly the move to define the profession in terms of its 'origins in social transformation', and the difficulties arising from its position in relation to a biomedical hierarchy. Conclusions: The authors conclude that occupational science may have much to offer but this underpinning knowledge base is not without additional challenges for a profession which is concerned with aspects of doing.