Sowmya Shetty

Dr Sowmya Shetty is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Dentistry at The University of Queensland. She has held a range of academic leadership roles, including Program Coordinator, Discipline Lead (Oral Biosciences) Course Coordinator, and Teaching and Learning Chair.

She has extensive experience in curriculum design, accreditation, and delivery of high-quality dental education across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Dr Shetty has made significant contributions to interprofessional education (IPE), including leading facultywide curricula embedded across multiple health programs. She has coordinated large interdisciplinary courses and worked across disciplines to design learning experiences that prepare students for team-based, patient-centred care. Her teaching practice is grounded in student-centred, evidence-informed approaches, with a strong emphasis on authentic learning, simulation, and student-staff partnerships. She has led initiatives to develop open educational resources and custom-designed learning materials, supporting innovation in curriculum delivery and enhancing student engagement.

Dr Shetty’s research spans dental materials science and health professions education. Her early work focused on dental biomaterials and restorative dentistry, while her recent research examines interprofessional learning and the development of clinical and professional skills. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to educational texts, and presented at national and international conferences.

She has received recognition for excellence in teaching and innovation in clinical education at the Faculty and University level. Through her combined expertise in dental education, curriculum leadership, and interprofessional learning, Dr Shetty provides critical disciplinary and educational insight to research focused on strengthening oral health integration within healthcare systems.