Wilma West Lecture Highlights Duke’s Leadership in Occupational Science
Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) faculty member Antoine Bailliard, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, professor of orthopaedic surgery, recently served as keynote speaker at the Occupational Science Symposium hosted by the University of Southern California. This prestigious event has featured thought leaders such as Stephen Hawking, Jane Goodall, and Anthony Damasio. Dr. Bailliard was awarded the Wilma West Lecture in recognition of his research in advancing occupational science.
Reflecting on the honor, Dr. Bailliard shared, “In our discipline, the Wilma West Lecture is a significant award that is only given to scholars who have made major contributions to the science. It is not awarded every year, and past awardees have all been widely recognized for their impact on the field.”
His lecture called for a paradigm shift in how sensory processing is conceptualized within occupational therapy and occupational science. Moving away from mechanistic models rooted in traditional cognitive science, Dr. Bailliard advocated embracing innovative cognitive models grounded in principles of embodiment and emplacement, which better reflect lived experiences and clinical realities.
At Duke, Dr. Bailliard leads a Sensory Health Lab that explores both foundational and applied research. Projects range from studying the sensory health differences of adults with serious mental illness and their impact on community participation to developing practical tools and resources for behavioral health workers, including sensory health screens and interventions. This work has been funded by Bass Connections for four years, helping to fill a critical gap in occupational therapy and occupational science research.
While the symposium emphasized the significance of his research, it also created opportunities for future collaboration. “I saw many opportunities to work with other scholars who share similar interests,” Dr. Bailliard noted. “Since the theme of the symposium aligned closely with my lecture, there was a strong connection between the talks and my work.”
Dr. Bailliard hopes attendees left the event questioning long-held assumptions about sensory processing and considering how emerging theories might better inform practice. “If nothing else, I hope they walked away wondering whether current models truly fit their lived experiences—and recognizing that the ideas I presented might offer a better path forward,” he said.
His keynote underscores Duke OTD’s commitment to advancing scholarship and shaping the future of occupational science through innovative research and global engagement.
About the Wilma West Lecture
The Wilma West Lecture is one of the most prestigious honors in occupational science. Named after Wilma L. West, a pioneering leader in occupational therapy, the lecture recognizes scholars who have made significant contributions to advancing the discipline. It is not awarded annually, making it a rare and highly respected distinction. Past recipients have included influential figures whose work has shaped theory, research, and practice across the field.