Professor Sandra Carr is Head of the Department of Health Professions Education at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and leads the Health Humanities Research Network. She is widely recognised for her leadership in health professions education and her commitment to preparing future health professionals through innovative curriculum design and authentic learning experiences.

Sandra’s academic journey is grounded in a strong clinical background in nursing and midwifery, complemented by a BSc from Curtin University, an MPH from UWA, and a PhD in Medical Education from UWA. Her research explores student selection, learner motivation, clinical education, academic performance, curriculum design, program evaluation, and the intersections of health, humanities, and education.

As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Sandra has received numerous teaching awards and supervised more than 35 higher degree research completions. She has played a pivotal role in shaping health professions education at UWA, including developing postgraduate programs for professionals across medicine, nursing and allied health. These programs are designed to build expertise in teaching and training for health disciplines and are offered both face-to-face and online.

Sandra is also the founder and coordinator of Australia’s first undergraduate major in Humanities for Health and Medicine, a program that integrates the arts and humanities into health education to foster empathy, critical thinking, and cultural awareness among future health professionals. 

Her work continues to influence policy and practice in areas such as assessment, workplace-integrated learning, professional behaviour, and interprofessional education. Through her leadership and scholarship, Sandra champions the integration of health humanities into education, practice, and research, shaping a more holistic approach to health professions training.