I am a Teaching & Leadership academic who is currently in the role of interim Pro Vice-Chancellor (Programs & Pathways) within the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), having been seconded to this position in January 2022. Within this role I have responsibility for developing and driving the University’s strategy for building and enhancing entry and progression pathways and leading the ongoing improvement of academic offerings at Macquarie. Prior to this secondment I had recently taken the position of Associate Dean, Graduate Health Education in the Faculty Medicine, Health & Human Sciences (September 2021), moving from the role as Director, Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) a 3-year Masters (Extended) program. Prior to my academic career I also held Senior Clinician roles within NSW Health as well as within the private sector.

I am an Associate Professor of Physiotherapy with over 20 years of experience as a physiotherapist, and 10 years of higher education experience. I have won numerous awards for my teaching excellence and am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. During my years at Macquarie University I have been involved with the design, development and implementation of high quality, innovative curriculum and assessment in a student-centred manner across all years of the DPT. I also have an integral knowledge of the requirements for accreditation of a physiotherapy program in Australia, having successfully led the re-accreditation process for the MQ DPT in 2019.

I am one of the key educational leaders within Macquarie University, recognised for my expertise in course-based design and in educational regulatory requirements and standards, understanding both the requirements for academic excellence and good governance as well as working effectively and efficiently within the various university systems and operational models. I have been a member of Academic Standards and Quality Committee since 2017, taking on the role of Deputy Chair in 2019 and Chair from 2020 to 2022. I am also the lead of the Quality Assurance, Enhancement, and Improvement (QAE&I) workstream of the Coursework Suite and Delivery Board of the Operating Plan. I have made a significant contribution to educational policy and practice within Macquarie University. Most notably I led the Curriculum Lifecycle Framework development which has transformed Macquarie University’s approach to curriculum QAE&I. 

Within the profession I am a current member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and of the Fellowship Programs Standing Committee of the Australian College of Physiotherapists where I am contributing to the development of the new Specialist Training Pathway. I served as a member of the Council of Physiotherapy Deans of Australia and New Zealand (CPDANZ) from 2017 to 2022, working collaboratively with other members to raise the quality of the profession. 

My research currently focuses on physiotherapy education and professional issues for physiotherapists and other health professionals, with my earlier work covering chronic disease prevention and management, physical activity, and support for behaviour change and self-management. I have numerous peer reviewed publications and commissioned corporate reports, partnering with industry to enhance physiotherapy practice and education.