Amanda Meyer

I am an academic educator and medical scientist with a longstanding commitment to transformative, inclusive, and evidence‑based education, aligned with James Cook University’s mission to create a brighter future for life in the tropics and beyond through education and research that make a difference locally and globally. 

My academic career began with the completion of a PhD in Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Western Australia, conferred in early 2007. This doctoral training provided a strong foundation in anatomical and medical sciences and has underpinned my sustained engagement with teaching‑focused scholarship and curriculum leadership across multiple institutions.

Since February 2012, I have taught human anatomy at the tertiary level at Murdoch University, The University of Western Australia, and now James Cook University, educating more than 10,000 students ranging from first‑year undergraduates to doctoral candidates and qualified medical practitioners. My teaching practice reflects JCU’s strategic priority of transformative education, with an emphasis on high‑quality, learner‑centred experiences that support students from diverse educational, cultural, and geographic backgrounds.

At JCU, my teaching is strongly informed by the needs of regional, rural, remote, and tropical health contexts, consistent with the University’s distinctive role in Northern Australia and the Indo‑Pacific region. I utilise body donor prosections, clinical imaging, and authentic case‑based learning to ensure that anatomical knowledge is not only conceptually rigorous but also clinically meaningful and transferable to practice. 

My commitment to teaching excellence has been recognised through multiple awards, including two UWA Students' Guild Students’ Choice Awards and the 2022 UWA School of Human Sciences Individual Teaching Excellence Award. Central to my approach is a commitment to equity, belonging, and student success, aligning with JCU’s focus on widening participation and supporting students from equity groups to thrive in higher education. 

Alongside teaching, I maintain an active program of research and scholarship, with 28 peer‑reviewed publications since 2014 and a field‑weighted citation impact 465% above the global average. Approximately 75% of my research outputs are collaborative, reflecting my belief that advancing medical and anatomical sciences requires strong national and international partnerships—an approach consistent with JCU’s emphasis on impactful, globally connected research. 

With a particular focus on neuroanatomy, I co‑authored A Textbook of Neuroanatomy (3rd edition) with Professors Maria Patestas and Leslie Gartner (USA). This text provides a comprehensive and contemporary treatment of the central nervous system, integrating foundational anatomy with clinical and research‑informed perspectives.

My teaching practice actively incorporates digital and technology‑enhanced learning, including the use of Blackboard and Moodle, interactive H5P resources, and instructional video content. These approaches align with JCU’s strategic objective to leverage educational technologies and innovation—including artificial intelligence—while maintaining pedagogical integrity and sustainability. I also design assessment strategies that promote reflection, feedback literacy, and self‑regulation, including structured post‑assessment SWOT analyses. 

Beyond the university classroom, I contribute to the national and international anatomical education community. My leadership and service roles have included Council Member and Treasurer of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists, Founding Member of the Global Neuroanatomy Network, Reviewer Board Member for Anatomical Sciences Education, and Secretary of the Federative International Committee for Equality and Diversity in Anatomy. These roles reflect my commitment to advancing inclusive, ethical, and globally engaged education—values closely aligned with JCU’s identity as a civic and internationally connected university. 

Through postgraduate teaching in surgical and clinical anatomy, I continue to support the preparation of healthcare professionals who are equipped not only with disciplinary expertise, but also with cultural competence, ethical awareness, and a commitment to service. My work is driven by the belief that education has the power to enhance lives and communities, particularly in regional and tropical contexts, and reflects JCU’s enduring commitment to education that genuinely makes a difference.