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My work focuses on how universities can operate as deeply embedded institutions within the societies they serve. Knowledge is created through listening, trust and genuine partnership, and impact comes from being present, responsive and collaborative. I focus on strengthening universities’ social licence by developing new ways of working with and alongside communities.

I am a Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing here at The University of Queensland, with an international reputation in community health, prevention, health services and policy. Together with my team, I lead 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-based, systems-oriented approaches to bring together research, teaching and partnerships to co-create, test and refine solutions in real-world settings over time. Springfield provides a uniquely rich environment for this work 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 complex, real-world context for understanding 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 coordinated action. I support teams and organisations to imagine what is possible, map pathways forward and translate ambitious ideas into sustained impact. My leadership is values-led, collaborative and grounded in practical delivery.

I am particularly interested in how research, teaching and engagement can be better aligned to address complex societal challenges, while building cultures where people can do their best work.

I welcome opportunities to work with people and organisations committed to community connection, partnership and innovation. Together, we can strengthen trust, build capability and design approaches that are meaningful for the next generation and for society more broadly.

Dr Suzanne McDonald is a Research Fellow at the General Practice Clinical Unit within the Greater Brisbane Clinical School at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on the development and application of digital N-of-1 trials in medicine, working across multiple clinical and research specialties. Her work spans chronic and complex conditions, including neurological conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease), post-viral conditions (e.g. long COVID), and metabolic and rare genetic disorders (e.g. phenylketonuria, Kleefstra syndrome).

Dr McDonald also contributes to the RELEASE (Redressing long-term antidepressant use) research program, focusing on health outcomes associated with long-term (>12 months) antidepressant use and the application of N-of-1 longitudinal approaches to understand antidepressant withdrawal symptoms during tapering.

Dr McDonald chairs the International Network for N-of-1 Trials and Single-Case Designs (www.nof1sced.org), a global network of over 800 academics, researchers and clinicians interested in N-of-1 trials and other single-case designs across 49 countries.

Dr McDonald regularly supervises medical students. Medical students at the University of Queensland who are interested in N-of-1 trials and Bayesian statistical approaches are encouraged to contact her to discuss potential opportunities.

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 25 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, medical educator and researcher with expertise in general practice education, sport and exercise medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, and preventive healthcare. She is a Senior Lecturer within the University of Queensland Medical School and works across undergraduate teaching, clinical supervision, assessment, and curriculum development.

Her work focuses on preparing future doctors for contemporary practice, with particular interests in immersive clinical education, evidence-based medicine, communication skills, preventative health, and whole-person care.

Her broader interests include:

• General practice and community-based medical education

• Sport and exercise medicine

• Musculoskeletal medicine and injury management

• Preventive health

• Women’s health

• Clinical assessment and feedback

• Digital health and AI in medical education

• Exercise prescription in primary care

Dr Reid is passionate about strengthening the role of general practice within the health system and building supportive learning environments for students, trainees and clinicians.

Dr Hayley Thomas is a clinical senior lecturer and senior research fellow with the General Practice Clinical Unit. She is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and works clinically as a general practitioner (GP). Her previous research has focused upon whole person approaches to care and the GP-patient relationship. Dr Thomas is currently leading a project exploring the experience of Christian spirituality in eating disorders, supported by a grant from The John Templeton Foundation.