Michelle Smith

Associate Professor Michelle Smith is a Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist at The University of Queensland (UQ), affiliated with the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR). She co-directs the International Ankle Consortium and the Sports Injury Rehabilitation and Prevention for Health (SIRPH) research unit, and serves as Associate Editor for Physical Therapy and Sport.

• Program Director for UQ's Masters of Sports Physiotherapy and Masters of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
• Chair of the School's External Engagement Committee
• Deputy Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association's Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Group

Her research focuses on lower limb joint health, spanning three key areas: (1) understanding ankle osteoarthritis and sprains across the lifespan, (2) evaluating injury prevention strategies in adolescent athletes, and (3) implementing osteoarthritis interventions in clinical settings. Recent studies explore radiographic joint alignment, pelvic floor morphometry, and workplace adaptations for OA patients.

Michelle's publication trends (2023–2025) emphasize osteoarthritis management, injury prevention in sports, and clinical implementation science. She has secured grants from Arthritis Foundation of Australia and Metro North Hospital and Health Service for feasibility trials and program implementation.

She has received Teaching Excellence Awards and supervises PhD projects in ankle injury rehabilitation, OA intervention implementation, and sports injury prevention, collaborating with institutions like Metro North Hospital and OMERACT Foot and Ankle Working Group.