Professor Esther May

Professor May is the Dean of Clinical Education and Equity. The role has a strategic focus on the student experience and quality of the future healthcare workforce, clinical education, equity and excellence and partnerships.

Originally trained as an occupational therapist, Esther obtained a PhD in medical sciences from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) in 1992 and has been an active educator and researcher with achievements that include 18 PhD and Master by Research student completions.  Esther has been the Australian delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and is an honorary and founding member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.

Esther has a keen interest in health workforce matters and the role of education in producing the health workforce of the future.  Esther currently oversees government funded grants targeting better rural clinical training, simulated learning and clinical supervision.  Esther’s experience in management and leadership is extensive, including 7 years as Head of the School of Health Sciences and before that 7 years as Head of the School of Occupational Therapy. Esther is currently on the Executive of the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences (ACDHS).

Esther is highly passionate around Aboriginal health workforce matters, particularly in trying to encourage increased participation of Aboriginal people in health careers. This has translated into improving the Aboriginal study support for health students, better engagement with the indigenous community, and active participation in the UniSA Reconciliation Action Plan process.

Australian Association of Occupational Therapists

American Society of Hand Therapists

Honorary Member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association

World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Australian College of Health Service Executives

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy Gothenburg University

• Bachelor of Applied Science South Australian Institute of Technology