Associate ProfessorLaura Gray

Laura’s teaching contribution has increasingly centred on educational leadership, curriculum innovation and the development of learning environments that support cohorts of learners with diverse backgrounds and experiences to succeed. Working within health professions education, she has sought to align teaching, scholarship and leadership around a commitment to equity, widening participation and the preparation of socially accountable health professionals.

A substantial component of her contribution has occurred through leadership of the Deakin MD program. As Course Director, she led major curriculum renewal, assessment reform and accreditation activities, including the transition to a Masters-level degree and successful accreditation of the redesigned program. Working collaboratively with academic, professional and clinical colleagues, she helped develop an integrated programmatic assessment framework and strengthen approaches to learner development, feedback and mentoring. Throughout this work, she sought to ensure that curriculum and assessment structures promoted collaboration, wellbeing and inclusion, contributing to a learning culture that was less competitive, more collegial and better aligned with contemporary healthcare practice.

Alongside program leadership, Laura has continued to teach and supervise students across classroom, clinical and workplace-based settings, while mentoring emerging educators, researchers and academic leaders. Supporting educator capability has become an increasingly important aspect of her work through professional development activities, curriculum leadership and mentoring.

Her influence has also extended beyond Deakin through leadership of national initiatives relating to assessment, disability inclusion and equity in health professions education. Through collaborations with organisations including ANZAHPE, ADCET and Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand, she has contributed to resources, professional development initiatives and communities of practice that support educational improvement across the sector. Across these activities, she has sought to create educational systems and cultures that expand opportunity, support learner success and strengthen the social accountability of health professions education.