Rebecca Packer

Dr. Rebecca Packer is a Senior Lecturer in Speech Pathology at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland. Her primary research focuses on swallowing disorders in head and neck cancer patients and their psychosocial impacts on survivors and families. She holds a Bachelor (Honours), Postgraduate Diploma, and PhD from The University of Queensland.

Dr. Packer's research encompasses swallowing disorders, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health frameworks, third-party disability, family-centered care, and psychosocial interventions. Her work examines both the physical aspects of dysphagia and its profound psychosocial consequences for patients and caregivers. She specializes in head and neck cancer rehabilitation and has developed particular expertise in understanding mealtime experiences and caregiver burden.

Her publications predominantly focus on oncology rehabilitation, swallowing disorders, and rural healthcare access. Recent work demonstrates expanding interests in digital health applications, culturally responsive care for Indigenous populations, and pediatric feeding challenges. The research consistently addresses healthcare disparities, particularly for rural populations and those with communication disabilities.

Dr. Packer has secured over AUD 2.2 million in research funding, including current support for the 'Save our Speech' study on motor neuron disease biomarkers. She actively supervises doctoral candidates investigating feeding behaviors in food allergies, frailty-dysphagia relationships in cancer, and mealtime management plans. She serves as Associate Advisor for projects on pediatric feeding tube management and motor neuron disease technology solutions.

As an affiliate of the Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research and through her involvement with the Communication Disability Centre, Dr. Packer collaborates across disciplines to develop innovative rehabilitation approaches. Her emerging leadership in psychosocial aspects of dysphagia has led to national and international conference invitations.