Associate Professor Michael Reynolds
Deputy Head, School of Allied Health (NSW), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curriculum and Pedagogy Co-ordinator (Physiotherapy)
Areas of expertise: Higher education, Indigenous research, educational psychology
Phone: (+61) 2 9739 2206
Email: michael.reynolds@acu.edu.au
Location: ACU North Sydney Campus
ORCID ID: 0009-0009-1321-5274
Associate Professor Michael Reynolds is based at the North Sydney campus of Australian Catholic University on Cammeraygal Country. He holds positions as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curriculum and Pedagogy Coordinator (Physiotherapy) and Deputy Head, School of Allied Health (NSW). Michael is completing his PhD at ACU with the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE) focusing on enablers of success for Indigenous Australians’ university completion. Utilising qualitative approaches and Indigenous research methodologies, his research seeks to understand community perspectives for First Nations student success and, how universities create environments to ensure this success. Michael, a Wiradjuri man, is a strong advocate for First Nations Peoples within the physiotherapy profession in Australia, and across ACU. He was the recipient of the Indigenous Allied Health Australia Local Champion Award (2023) and Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) NSW Branch Award (2018) in recognition of his contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. Michael’s service extends outside ACU including current roles as Board Chair with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.
Select publications
Conference presentations
- 2025 SELF Conference (Singapore) Enablers of Indigenous Teacher Education Completion Across Four Nations (Duncan et al.). Co-presenter
- 2024 APA FOCUS24. The power of building First Nations cultural capability in education. Keynote speaker
- 2024 HERDSA Cultural capability development in undergraduate physiotherapy students. A pilot, longitudinal mixed methods cohort study. Co-presenter
- 2022 APA FOCUS22 How to Undertake Cultural Reflection. Plenary speaker
- 2021 ACU SoAH Final Year Student e-conference Healthcare from the Heart. Keynote speaker.
- 2018 APA NEXT Conference. Physiotherapy from the Heart – 4 leaders in 400 seconds on 4 essential NEXT steps.
- Facilitating high value placements in your practice. Invited speaker
Projects
- 2024-2029 Game-Changers: Enablers of Indigenous University Students’ Success. PhD Student. Australian Research Council (LP230201137). $1,239,453
- 2026 – Learn Well, Work Safe – A Canvas site to inform, empower and foster safe learning environments and placement experiences at ACU. ACU FHS Teaching and Development Grant. Project Team member.
- 2025 - Targeted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pathways program for Allied Health degrees. Project Lead. Higher Education Partnerships and Participation Program. $69,492
- 2025 - Cultural capability development in SoNMP, Psychology and Allied Health Staff. Project Lead. Indigenous Student Success Program. $36,3602025 - Culturally Responsive Fieldwork Supervisor Workshop – Development of Part 1: Online Orientation. Project team member. Indigenous Student Success Program. $7,316.32
- 2024 - Widening Participation of First Nations Students in Allied Health Courses. Project Lead. Indigenous Student Success Program. $74,255
- 2021-22 Understanding Cultural Humility in SoAH students. Project team member. ACU Teaching and Development Grant. $11,937
Awards
