Rate My Professor Chris Maher

Professor Chris Maher AM is a Professor in the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and founding Director of the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health. He joined the University of Sydney in 1990 and has taught in the University's physiotherapy, exercise and sports science, medical, nursing, pharmacy and public health programs. He holds degrees including BAppSc (Phty), GradDipAppSc (Manip Phty), Grad Dip AppSc (Ex&SpSc), PhD and DMedSc, and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapy (FACP) and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAAHMS). He is an NHMRC Leadership 3 Fellow.

Professor Maher's research focuses on the management of musculoskeletal conditions in primary care, with particular emphasis on low back pain. He has published over 940 papers and secured more than $101 million in research funding. His work has influenced 124 low back pain guidelines across 20 countries and contributed to policy changes including the up-scheduling of codeine in Australia and rescheduling of pregabalin in the UK. He has received the RPA Research Foundation Medal in 2023 and an Australia Day Honour (AM) in 2024 for significant service to physiotherapy. Professor Maher has supervised 52 PhD completions and mentored numerous emerging researchers. He serves on committees and collaborates internationally, including as a visiting professor at Oxford.