Defining and refining emplacement by deepening the understanding of embeddedness, situatedness, and enactedness

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ABSTRACT Using a transactional frame of reference, this paper situates the concept of emplacement within and between the notions of embeddedness, situatedness, and enactedness. Emplacement recognises how the spaces and places in which we engage in occupations both shape and are shaped by engagement. Hence, the meaning and importance attributed to certain occupations can involve a complex, unbounded, uncertain, and often messy process. Further, embeddedness describes the deep anchoring of individuals to their social and physical contexts. Situatedness emphasises the importance of being ‘in-place’. Enactedness delves into the dynamic unfolding of occupations that highlight the role of agency and identity that are reflected in the stories shared. Vignettes from our research projects illustrate these concepts by offering insights into the lived experiences of emplacement. These narratives enrich understandings of the nuanced, transactional nature of emplacement. Additionally, we acknowledge the relevance of emplacement across contexts and suggest avenues for future research. This discussion adds to the existing understanding of emplacement and the growing body of knowledge in occupational science specific to the value of using a transactional frame of occupation to explore the complexities of human-occupation-environment interactions.