191 – Leadership, Inclusion & Impact ft Angus Buchanan

About this episode

Angus Buchanan discusses his career in occupational therapy, focusing on leadership, inclusion, and the impact of social practices on individuals with intellectual disabilities.

In this episode of Occupied, Jess sits down with occupational therapist Angus Buchanan to explore a career that has spanned clinical practice, academia, and leadership as a Head of School. Angus shares reflections from his recent keynote address at the National Occupational Therapy Conference in Adelaide in 2025, offering honest insights into how his thinking has evolved over time, particularly in the areas of social inclusion and working alongside people with intellectual disability. Angus reflected on his career turns and what has shaped him to be the occupational therapist he is today. Together, we unpack what inclusion really looks like in practice, the gaps that still exist within our systems, and the role occupational therapists play in shaping more meaningful participation and belonging. Angus shares some exciting work he is currently doing with inclusion of people with intellectual impairment at university. This conversation moves beyond theory, highlighting the realities of practice, the influence of leadership in education, and the importance of staying grounded in the core values of occupational therapy across a career. Angus discusses his newly appointed role as…

People in this episode

Host: Jess

Guest: Angus Buchanan

Topics covered

• leadership
• inclusion
• occupational therapy
• intellectual disability
• social inclusion
• education

Keywords

• occupational therapy
• inclusion
• leadership
• intellectual disability
• social participation
• education
• AI in submissions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy

Places: Adelaide

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