Find an expert

My vision for the future of higher education is one where universities are deeply embedded within the communities they serve. Knowledge is created through listening, trust and genuine partnership. Impact comes from being present, responsive and collaborative. My work focuses on improving social license in higher education by developing new ways for universities to work with and alongside communities.

I am a Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing at The University of Queensland, with an international reputation in community health, prevention, health services and policy. Together with my team, I have led research that shapes how communities thrive, with our work recognised through multiple awards for research excellence and real-world impact.

The cornerstone of my work is leading the Springfield Living Lab. Living labs use place, systems thinking and partnership to co-create, test and refine solutions in real-world settings over time. Springfield provides a uniquely rich environment for this approach through its integrated urban design, strong local governance and commitment to innovation across health, education and technology. As Australia’s largest master-planned city, it offers a contained yet complex context for examining how community-led approaches can translate into scalable models for broader application.

As a leader, I bring people together across disciplines, sectors and lived experience to create shared purpose and momentum. I enjoy supporting teams and organisations to imagine what is possible, map pathways forward and turn ambitious ideas into sustained action. My leadership is values-led, collaborative and grounded in practical delivery.

I am always interested in working with people and organisations who share a commitment to community connection, partnership and innovation. Together, we can strengthen trust, build capability and design approaches to teaching, research and engagement that are meaningful for the next generation and broader society.

Please feel free to get in touch to explore opportunities to work together.

Dr Suzanne McDonald is a clinical researcher and chartered psychologist. Suzanne is a Research Fellow in the General Practice Clinical Unit and a Sessional Academic in the School of Psychology. Suzanne's research interests focus on (1) the development and application of N-of-1 trials and single-case designs in areas within medicine, psychology and digital health (2) understanding and changing health-related behaviours in patients and health professionals (3) using implementation science theories and frameworks (e.g. Theoretical Domain Framework) to explore barriers and facilitators to implementing interventions and innovations in clinical practice (4) designing and evaluating complex interventions.

Suzanne is the co-chair of the International Collaborative Network for N-of-1 Trials and Single-Case Designs (www.nof1sced.org), a global network of over 750 academics, researchers and clinicians interested in these methods in more than 49 countries.

Associate Professor Matthew McGrail is the Head of Regional Training Hubs research at UQ’s Rural Clinical School. Joining UQ in Nov 2017, he is based at the Rockhampton Clinical Unit, and he is chair of the research and evaluation working group of UQ’s Regional Medical Pathway as well as chair of UQ RCS’s medical graduate cohort longitudinal tracking study (UQ MediCoS).

Matthew has worked in the university sector for over 20 years, working mostly as a researcher in rural health. He was originally trained as a statistician, expanding his skills across GIS and software development, completing his PhD in 2008. He has been lead biostatistician on 3 large NHMRC-funded RCTs that are published in the world-leading general medical journal, the Lancet. Matthew’s research is mostly underpinned by the overall objective of improved access to health care for rural populations, mainly focused in the medical sector. He has a unique blend of ‘generalist’ research skills and experience across the disciplines of statistics, geography, rural health, econometrics, public health and clinical research.

Matthew has a particular interest in the ongoing concerns with medical workforce distribution, connecting that through his research and evaluation to health policies, training pathways and healthcare systems. To date he has been a chief investigator on two separate Centres of Research Excellence, one on medical workforce dynamics and the other on rural and remote primary health care access. He has also co-researched with various GP training organisations, specialty colleges, rural workforce agencies, as well as state and commonwealth health departments

Dr Lynne Reid is a General Practitioner. She is a Senior Lecturer in the General Practice Clinical Unit (GPCU) at The University of Queensland. Working in a part-time continuing appointment.

Her current work centres on enhancing student learning and supervisor engagement across metropolitan and regional general practice placements. Lynne contributes to curriculum development, OSCE and MMI assessment, and early-year seminars, supporting students from entry selection through to clinical practice readiness.

Clinically, she combines general practice, sports and exercise medicine, maintaining active practice to inform evidence-based teaching. Her professional interests include behavioural change science, preventive health, musculoskeletal medicine, and medical education research.

Lynne’s ongoing development within UQ reflects her commitment to academic excellence, interprofessional collaboration, and building sustainable GP training networks that support both learner wellbeing and community health outcomes.

Dr Hayley Thomas is a General Practitioner who works clinically on the north side of Brisbane, and academically as a clinical senior lecturer with the General Practice Clinical Unit. She is currently the academic co-coordinator for the General Practice course in the MD program. Hayley's research interests include whole person care and the GP-Patient relationship.