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Associate Professor Roma Forbes is the Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland and a teaching-focused academic in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. A highly experienced APA-titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, she holds a Bachelor, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters (Coursework) from Auckland University of Technology, a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland, and a Certificate of Languages from Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Her career includes extensive clinical practice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy alongside academic appointments at UQ, where she leads curriculum innovation, work-integrated learning initiatives and educator development programs focused on preparing health professional graduates for contemporary practice.
Forbes serves as a Director and National Chair of the Accreditation Committee of the Australian Physiotherapy Council, a Board Director of the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences, and Australia’s representative on the World Physiotherapy Education Committee. She holds editorial roles as Associate Editor for The Clinical Teacher and Editor for Education for the Archives of Physiotherapy. Her research specialisations centre on patient education, physiotherapy education, student transition to practice and building workforce capabilities through evidence-informed teaching and assessment. Key outputs include the 2025 book Patient education essentials for physiotherapy and numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics such as graduate experiences, placement capacity in private practice and addressing health misinformation. Forbes has received extensive recognition for teaching excellence, including the 2025 Universities Australia Australian University Teacher of the Year award, the 2025 Universities Australia Award for Teaching Excellence, multiple UQ Awards for Teaching Excellence and Programs that Enhance Learning, the Advance Higher Education Global Impact Award (2023), an Australian Award for University Teaching Citation (2021) and fellowships with the Higher Education Academy and HERDSA. She contributes to national policy on physiotherapy education standards and maintains involvement in community initiatives such as the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme.
Associate Professor Roma Forbes, UQ physiotherapy educator, named 2025 Australian University Teacher of the Year. She calls for prac cash extension amid high costs deterring students from essential clinical placements.
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