My vision for the future of higher education is one where universities are deeply embedded within the communities they serve. Knowledge is created through listening, trust and genuine partnership. Impact comes from being present, responsive and collaborative. My work focuses on improving social license in higher education by developing new ways for universities to work with and alongside communities.

I am a Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing at The University of Queensland, with an international reputation in community health, prevention, health services and policy. Together with my team, I have led research that shapes how communities thrive, with our work recognised through multiple awards for research excellence and real-world impact.

The cornerstone of my work is leading the Springfield Living Lab. As Australia's largest master-planned city, it offers a contained yet complex context for examining how community-led approaches can translate into scalable models for broader application.