Lynda Shevellar

Associate Professor Lynda Shevellar has over 20 years of experience in tertiary education and more than 30 years in community development, the disability sector, mental health, education, and psychology. She joined the University of Queensland in 2009 and is based in the School of Social Science within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland, a Masters (Research) of Education from Southern Cross University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of Queensland, and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. Her current roles include Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) – Students for the HASS Faculty, Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Social Science, Principal Practitioner – Participation and Engagement at the Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has received the Australian Award for University Teaching Excellence in Society and Culture (2025), University of Queensland Award for Teaching Excellence (2019), Australian Award for University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2019), and an early career award for teaching excellence (2011).

Lynda Shevellar's research explores the experiences of people living with heightened vulnerability, the development of community awareness, agency, and capacity to address social disadvantage and inequality, and the alignment of community development theory and education with practice alongside those with vulnerabilities. She has particular interests in inclusive learning communities through creative teaching practices, participative research strategies, engaged citizenship, and community mental health dynamics of belonging for individuals with persistent and severe mental health challenges. Key publications include the books she co-edited, The Routledge Handbook of Community Development Research (2018, with Peter Westoby) and Learning and Mobilising for Community Development: A Radical Tradition of Community-Based Education and Training (2012, with Peter Westoby), as well as articles such as 'Social science as social action to address inequalities' (2023), 'Ethical issues in community development: setting the scene' (2023), 'Destabilising social inclusion and recovery, and pursuing "lines of flight" in the mental health sector' (2020), and 'The possibility of cooperatives: a vital contributor in creating meaningful work for people with disabilities' (2019). She coordinates courses SOSC2288: Community Development - Local and International Practice and SOCY1070: Inequality, Society and the Self.