Newsroom staff
4 May 2018: The University of Canberra has appointed Professor Michelle Lincoln as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health.
A speech pathologist by training, Professor Lincoln is currently Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. She was formerly the Associate Dean Learning and Teaching and the Head of Discipline of Speech Pathology at the University of Sydney and was the inaugural chair of the Asia Pacific Education Collaboration in Speech Pathology.
Professor Lincoln said she is delighted with her appointment.
“The University of Canberra is on the move and the Faculty of Health is making a significant contribution to its current and future success. I am excited to join a University and Faculty that has an ambitious vision to innovate in education and research and to nurture strategic partnerships,” she said.
“The University’s goal to be a national sector leader in equity, diversity, inclusion and access aligns well with my values and belief that access and participation in education is a form of social justice.”
Professor Lincoln is determined to shift the focus in health policy and service delivery from hospital-based services to preventative and community based early interventions led by allied health and sports professionals.
“What better way to achieve this than by influencing the preparation of the future allied health and sports workforce and encouraging and supporting mission-based research.”
On a personal note, she said: “I’m looking forward to getting away from Sydney traffic, leading an active lifestyle and enjoying all that Canberra has to offer. Believe it or not I’m also happy to be pulling out the gloves, scarf and beanie and embracing winter in Canberra.”
Professor Lincoln brings to the role over 20 years of experience in facilitating student learning both in the classroom and on clinical placement. She writes and researches in the areas of allied health service delivery and workforce, particularly in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
Her research has been funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council and the New South Wales Government.
Most recently, her work as the leader of the Wobbly Hub Research Team has developed evidence for innovative allied health service delivery models in rural areas as well as strategies for retaining allied health professionals. This work is informing the role out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in rural areas and is currently being extended to investigate allied health service delivery models in rural and remote Aboriginal communities.
She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) from Cumberland College of Health Sciences and a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Sydney.
Professor Lincoln takes over the role from Professor Diane Gibson who led the Faculty for nine years and began her new appointment as Distinguished Professor of Health and Ageing in January. Professor Dominic Upton will continue as Acting Dean until Professor Lincoln’s arrival at the University of Canberra on 23 July.
“I’m looking forward to learning about and getting to know the people in each discipline in the Faculty of Health. The staff and students of the Faculty are its greatest resource and I am keen to hear about the disciplines’ and individuals’ aspirations in education and research,” Professor Lincoln said.
“I’m also looking forward to engaging with undergraduate and postgraduate students in the faculty to hear their ideas about how we can enhance their university experience and engaging with the Faculty’s existing external partners and exploring and supporting the development of new partnerships.”
