Rate My Professor Brooke Conley

Dr. Brooke Conley is a proud Ngiyampaa woman, physiotherapist, and Peeneeyt Thanampool Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. She holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science (BExSci), Master of Physiotherapy (MPhysio), and PhD. Her doctoral thesis employed a community-based participatory action research framework to co-design culturally appropriate arthritis education resources, including brochures and videos, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout. This work synthesized evidence from clinical practice guidelines and integrated lived experiences gathered through community reference groups in Western Australia and Victoria.

Dr. Conley's research specializations encompass musculoskeletal physiotherapy, with a focus on improving health outcomes for Indigenous peoples. She conducts systematic reviews of clinical practice guidelines and develops resources that bridge evidence-based practice with cultural safety. Notable publications include 'Core recommendations for osteoarthritis care: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines' (Arthritis Care & Research, 2023), 'What are the core recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis care? Systematic review of clinical practice guidelines' (Clinical Rheumatology, 2023), 'What are the core recommendations for gout management in first line and specialist care? Systematic review of clinical practice guidelines' (BMC Rheumatology, 2023), and 'Integrating evidence from lived experience of Aboriginal people and clinical practice guidelines to develop arthritis educational resources: a mixed-methods study' (The Lancet Rheumatology, 2025). She has also authored contributions to the 'Moving Forward Together' series in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (2025-2026), addressing physical therapy research, clinical care, education, and allyship for Indigenous peoples' musculoskeletal health. Her collaborations frequently involve researchers from Curtin University's School of Allied Health, such as Ivan Lin and Jonathan Bullen. Dr. Conley received the 2024-25 Premier's Awards for Health and Medical Research as Aboriginal Researcher undertaking research in any field of health and medical research. She serves on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Indigenous Advisory Group (2024-2027), contributing to national health policy and research priorities.