Dean, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney
AUSTRALIA
Professor Debra Anderson is Dean of the Faculty of Health.
She joined the University of Technology Sydney in late 2019 as Associate Dean Research, where she led the faculty’s research function, focusing on strategic development, internal capability, and enhancing the faculty’s national and international profile.
Recognized as a visionary, supportive, and inclusive leader, Debra empowers teams and fosters accountability to drive transformational success. Her career, spanning over 30 years, integrates nursing, exercise science, and research, with a holistic approach to health that combines physical and mental wellbeing through lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and sleep.
As Founding Director of the Women’s Wellness Research Collaborative, Debra mentors a growing global network of researchers dedicated to women’s health across six countries. Previously, she served as Head of School, Nursing and Midwifery at Griffith University, Director of Research at Queensland University of Technology, and Research Leader in Chronic Conditions at the Institute of Health and Biomedical Research.
Debra holds a PhD in Social and Preventive Medicine and has built an international reputation in women’s health research. She is a collaborator on the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health and has contributed extensively through publications, leadership, keynote presentations, and editorial work. Her research has been featured at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the World Health Organization (WHO), and academic conferences worldwide.
Her international roles include Guest Professor at Peking University (2019-2021), Visiting Professor at King’s College London, and an invited presenter at Harvard University. She has also worked with the WHO in Geneva on the Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery, contributing to global health initiatives and presenting at WHO events in Geneva and Brazil.
Debra has completed leadership programs at Harvard Business School, the University of Melbourne, and UTS. She serves on multiple prestigious boards, including SIGMA, UTS Global Board, and the International Council of Women’s Health Issues. Her leadership in nursing and women’s health has earned her numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Flinders University and recognition as a Nurse Scholar by the WHO.
