Emily Rothman Appointed Occupational Therapy Department Chair

Professor Emily Rothman, ScD has been appointed the new chair of the Sargent College Department of Occupational Therapy, effective September 2021.

A public health expert, Rothman focuses on issues of social justice and health equity. Her current line of research examines the health and well-being of transition-age youth and autistic adults. Using etiologic and intervention research, she aims to promote relationship health and healthy use of substances by autistic individuals.

Advocating for the rights, health, and well-being of people with disabilities, a cornerstone of public health, has been an important theme in Rothman’s research. In particular, her work promotes neurodiversity and anti-ableism.

Rothman also has vast expertise in violence prevention, including the prevention of intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, and commercial sexual exploitation. She has been a professor at Boston University since 2004 and is the director of the Rothman Violence Prevention Research Lab where she and her team conduct innovative research that prioritizes social equity, community inclusion, and student engagement.

Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Defense as well as foundations including the the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She has authored 110 peer-reviewed publications and wrote the book Pornography and Public Health.

Previously, Rothman was a professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health. She has been involved with multiple sexual violence prevention efforts at Boston University and has appointments at the BU School of Medicine in the departments of pediatrics and emergency medicine as well as the BU School of Public Health.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rothman to Sargent. Her research and leadership expertise make her an excellent choice to lead this superlative department, where innovative support of every person’s participation in their world is paramount,” said Sargent College Dean Chris Moore. “Her population health perspective is a welcome addition to a team that has well-established expertise across the lifespan, encompassing home, acute and chronic care settings, relying on groundbreaking approaches to assessment and treatment. Her obvious kindness and professional stature make her an ideal leader for this renowned team.”

Rothman takes over the role of department chair held for more than 20 years by Professor Emeritus Wendy Coster, and she will oversee the #1 graduate occupational therapy program in the nation, BU’s Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

“For many reasons, joining Sargent’s OT Department is a dream come true,” said Rothman. “Faculty and staff are engaged in cutting-edge research, providing world class clinical training, and creating meaningful community connections in Boston and beyond. I’m grateful for the opportunity and feel particularly indebted to Professor Wendy Coster, who has provided excellent mentorship to me throughout this transition.”

Rothman has received numerous awards and honors including the Early Career Prevention Network Award from the Society for Prevention Research. She founded and served as chair of the Violence and Trauma special interest group at the Society for Behavioral Medicine, authored a report on batterer intervention programs for the World Health Organization, and is an appointed member of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council on Sexual and Domestic Violence. She has appeared on the “Today” show, and her research has been featured on NPR and by the New York Times magazine, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Teen Vogue, and more.

Rothman received her ScD and MS degrees from the Harvard University School of Public Health.