Dr Nathan G. Dawes
Alligator Creek,QLD
Summary
Academic leader with expertise in governance, curriculum reform, and public health education at James Cook University. Proven record of leading university-wide initiatives in course review, quality assurance, and innovative teaching practice. Registered health professional with experience in rural and remote northern Queensland, bringing deep insight into Indigenous health and culturally responsive education. Leverages extensive domestic and international collaborations to build workforce-ready programs addressing tropical and global health challenges. National lead of the CAPHIA Competency Renewal Project, driving a transformative framework that positions JCU at the forefront of public health education reform.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Chair, Academic Board
JCU
Tonwsville, QLD
11.2024 - Current
- Oversight of institutional governance, reforms in teaching and research education.
- Facilitated communication among board members and key stakeholders.
- Oversaw committee activities to ensure compliance with regulations and standards.
- Represented the organization at community events to enhance public relations efforts.
- Facilitated collaborative discussion among Board members during meetings to promote consensus-based decision making.
- Prepared reports summarizing key action items discussed at board meetings for distribution to directors after each session.
- Established performance metrics to monitor progress towards organizational goals.
Associate Dean, Learning & Teaching, CMD
JCU
Townsville, QLD
01.2024 - Current
- Provided strategic leadership in curriculum reform and AI-integrated assessment initiatives.
- Led development of academic programs and strategic planning efforts.
- Implemented policies ensuring compliance with accreditation standards.
- Organized workshops and conferences to enhance professional development opportunities.
- Reviewed and evaluated college curricula, programs, and courses for quality improvement.
- Supervised staff in office of Associate Dean to optimize departmental operations.
- Advocated for resources supporting student success initiatives across campus.
- Analyzed data on retention rates, enrollment trends, and curriculum changes to identify growth opportunities.
Senior Lecturer / Lecturer in Public Health
JCU
Townsville, QLD
01.2018 - Current
- Supervised research projects, guiding students through methodology and analysis.
- Developed and redesigned undergraduate and postgraduate public health curricula with a focus on health promotion, advocacy, and community development strategies.
- Delivered engaging lectures, tutorials, and workshops across diverse student cohorts; consistently achieving excellent subject evaluations
- Introduced inclusive teaching practices and explored integration of gamification and AI-based tools to enhance student learning and engagement.
- Taught and supported diverse student populations, including international students, and incorporated Indigenous health perspectives into curricula.
Course Coordinator, MPH & MPHTM
JCU
Townsville, QLD
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Directed JCU’s largest postgraduate offerings; curriculum renewal and workforce alignment.
- Led curriculum review, mapping, and redesign processes to align with the Higher Education Standards Framework, CAPHIA competencies, and professional workforce needs.
- Strengthened program compliance through comprehensive course review procedures, improved subject governance, and streamlined reporting systems.
- Guided the transition of public health programs to trimester delivery, embedding flexibility while maintaining academic integrity and student outcomes.
- Provided leadership and support for early- and mid-career academics in teaching, assessment, and curriculum design, fostering a distributed leadership model.
- Enhanced student experience by embedding inclusive, practice-oriented teaching strategies and ensuring program relevance to global health challenges.
- Advanced cross-border collaborations through CAPHIA Competency Renewal, strengthening program recognition in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and PNG.
- Championed alignment of assessments with professional competencies, developing authentic tasks that prepare graduates for complex health system challenges.
Health Promotion Consultant
Healthy Business Performance Group
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Developed health promotion strategies for diverse client organizations.
- Conducted assessments to identify health needs within employee populations.
- Facilitated workshops on wellness topics for staff engagement and education.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to enhance workplace health programs.
- Designed communication materials promoting healthy lifestyle choices.
- Analyzed program effectiveness through participant feedback and surveys.
- Monitored industry trends to inform program development and implementation.
- Trained staff on best practices in health promotion initiatives.
- Maintained accurate records of all client interactions.
- Created surveys to assess the impact of existing public health initiatives.
- Evaluated existing programs for effectiveness by collecting feedback from participants.
Managing Consultant / Senior OT
Konekt
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Executed strategic initiatives to boost client engagement and satisfaction.
- Crafted comprehensive solutions addressing diverse client challenges.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance project outcomes.
- Analyzed market trends to guide strategic planning decisions.
- Streamlined operations through implementation of best practices across project teams.
- Maintained direct client interactions throughout engagement lifecycles.
- Prepared detailed reports with recommendations for business growth.
- Coordinated vendor relations regarding purchase orders and contracts.
Senior OT
Cairns Hospital
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Completed comprehensive evaluations to assess patient needs and preferences.
- Developed tailored treatment plans aligned with patient goals and requirements.
- Delivered advanced occupational therapy services in rehabilitation, geriatrics, and community health.
- Managed complex caseloads within a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Conducted outreach programs in regional Queensland to enhance service accessibility.
- Provided culturally responsive care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
- Supported recovery and self-management for patients with chronic health conditions.
Education
PhD - Health
JCU
College Public Health, Medical And Veterinary Scie12-2022
MPH - Public Health
JCU
College Public Health Medical And Veterinary Scien12-2019
Bachelor Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
College Health Care Sciences
Townsville12-2008
Skills
- Institutional governance
- Strategic planning
- Curriculum design and innovation
- Accreditation standards
- Performance evaluation
- Team leadership
- Staff development and mentoring
- Stakeholder engagement
- Public relations
- Conflict resolution
Affiliations
- Board Director, Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia [2023 - current]
- Council Director, The Good Shepherd Home, 2022 - current
- Chair, Comprehensive Course Review Committee [2024 - Current]
- Founder and Chair of the GRIT Working Group, leading governance and risk reforms for AI integration at JCU, 2024 - current
- Founder and Lead, Teaching Excellence, and Collaborative Hub – CMD’s teaching-focused community of practice
- Leadership Committee Member, PHTM discipline – curriculum renewal, assessment reform, workforce planning [2024 – current]
Professional Recognition [Recent]
- Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia, Fellow, 2025
- JCU Inclusive Practice Award, 2024
- Senior Fellow, Advance Higher Education Academy, 2024
- Fellow, Advance Higher Education Academy, 2022
- Citation for outstanding contribution to student learning, 2022
Professional Memberships
- Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA), Fellow (2025–present)
- Advance Higher Education (UK), Senior Fellow (2024–present), Fellow (2022–present)
- Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG), member (2022–present)
- Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), member (2020–present)
- The Society for Health Administration Programs in Education (SHAPE), Executive Committee (2020–present)
- Occupational Therapy Australia, member (2022–present)
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), registered occupational therapist (2010–present)
Selected Publications [Most recent]
- Dawes NG, Topp SM, Fullagar BJ, Selman J, Pak A, Devine SG. Social determinants of suicide and suicidality in serving military personnel: a global scoping review. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 2025. doi:10.1002/hpja.70030
- Dawes N, Franklin RC. The protective factors of suicide in agriculture: a global scoping review. J Agromedicine 2025;30(1):165-181. doi:10.1080/1059924X.2024.2426500
- Dawes N, Topp SM, Adegboye O. Validation of a national leadership framework to promote and protect quality residential aged care: protocol for a Delphi study BMJ Open. 2024. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083107
- Smith S, Lowrie D, Dawes N. Exploring the role of palliative care occupational therapists in supporting compassionate communities in end-of-life care Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 2024. doi:10.1111/1440-1630.12945
- Dawes N. Senior manager leadership competencies to promote and protect Australian residential aged care quality of care. PhD Thesis, James Cook University. doi:10.25903/y104-0776
- Dawes N, Topp SM. A qualitative study of senior management perspectives on the leadership skills required in regional and rural Australian residential aged care facilities. BMC Health Services Research. 2022. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-08049-4
- Dawes N, Topp SM. Senior manager leadership competencies for quality residential aged care: an Australian industry perspective. BMC Health Services Research. 2022. doi:10.1186/s12913-022-07911-9
- Bhatti AJ, Lin S, Post D, Baldock K, Dawes N. Prevalence and characteristics of advocacy curricula in Australian public health degrees Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 2022. doi:10.1002/hpja.634
- Dawes N, Topp SM. Challenges to managing the quality of care in northern Queensland residential aged care facilities Social Sciences & Humanities Open. 2022. doi:10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100300
- Dawes N, Topp SM. Senior management characteristics influencing care quality in aged care homes: a global scoping review. International Journal of Healthcare Management 2021; 14(3): 731-743 doi:10.1080/20479700.2019.1692763
Research Grants [Current]
Council of Academic Public Health Institutes Australasia CAPHIA ($70,500)
Building capacity for frailty management in regional Queensland residential aged care facilities ($50,623),
Timeline
Deputy Chair, Academic Board
JCU
11.2024 - Current
Associate Dean, Learning & Teaching, CMD
JCU
01.2024 - Current
Course Coordinator, MPH & MPHTM
JCU
01.2022 - 01.2024
Senior Lecturer / Lecturer in Public Health
JCU
01.2018 - Current
Health Promotion Consultant
Healthy Business Performance Group
01.2017 - 01.2018
Managing Consultant / Senior OT
Konekt
01.2014 - 01.2016
Senior OT
Cairns Hospital
01.2013 - 01.2014
PhD - Health
JCU
MPH - Public Health
JCU
Bachelor Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
College Health Care Sciences