Research and Innovation Strategy and action plan

Shaping the future of occupational therapy together 

Our new Research and Innovation Strategy sets out a bold, inclusive vision to strengthen the role of research, innovation and quality improvement in everyday practice over the next 10 years.

Co-created with members, partners and people with lived experience, this strategy is part of our wider 10-year Workforce Strategy. It aims to support every member of the occupational therapy workforce – from learners and support workers to educators, researchers and leaders. 

You can also read our action plan, guiding our progress over the first three years.

Research and innovation are everybody’s business. This strategy is your invitation to get involved.

What you’ll find inside 

• A clear vision for building capacity, capability, culture and context across the profession. 
• Four action areas to guide how we develop and use evidence to improve practice. 

‘This comprehensive and exciting Research and Innovation Strategy importantly recognises the connections between research, innovation, quality improvement and applying evidence to create change and improvement. It is our hope that every member of the occupational therapy community will recognize their role and the growth opportunities within this strategic vision and seek support to enable this development to happen.' 

Dr Helen Atkin, Lead RCOT Research and Innovation Advisory Group 

Let’s drive evidence-informed, inclusive and transformative occupational therapy – together. 

If you're an RCOT member, join the discussion on RCOT Communities or come and learn more at our first-ever Members' Day on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

If you have any questions or need support accessing these documents, please get in touch at hello@rcot.co.uk.