Leadership and innovation in knowledge production in Brazilian occupational therapy: a biographical-documentary study of Jô Benetton's professional career

Abstract

Introduction: Over the past ten years, there has been a growth in the number of publications aimed at highlighting the trajectories of key figures in the development of the occupational therapy profession in Brazil. Jô Benetton, with a career spanning more than 50 years, was one of the individuals who had contributed to the specialized education of occupational therapists. She is the author of more than fifty articles, books, and book chapters, and her work has gained increasing prominence in academic and research productions. Objective: This article aims to describe the professional journey of this figure as an occupational therapist, professor, and researcher. Method: Through documentary research, curricula, biographical materials contained in her publications, and narratives from other studies were chronologically organized based on six axes of analysis: clinical-professional practice, teaching, investigation, formal research, authorship, and international activities. Results: Six historical-chronological periods were identified: (1) 1971–1975: the decision to study and investigate occupational therapy; (2) 1975–1983: the military dictatorship, A Casa, and the beginning of the master’s program; (3) 1983–1996: Escola Paulista de Medicina, master's and doctoral degrees, and experience in Africa; (4) 1994–2000: University of São Paulo and postdoctoral studies; (5) 2001–2012: consolidation of the Dynamic Occupational Therapy Method (DOTM); (6) 2015 to the present: recognition in the field of academic research. Conclusion: In addition to highlighting the author’s leadership role within the profession, this study argues that Jô Benetton’s social memory can foster broader reflections on the constitution of the field in Brazil.