Kiwi academic Roma Forbes, a renowned physiotherapy lecturer at the University of Queensland, has been named Australia's top university teacher. Forbes, who was born in Ōpōtiki, New Zealand, has been living in Australia for 16 years. She shared her journey with RNZ's Afternoons, expressing her surprise at her longevity in the country, "I studied physiotherapy at AUT in New Zealand and then came over to the University of Queensland to be a clinical educator, and I thought I'd last five minutes in Australia, but here I am 16 years later."
Her teaching philosophy, which emphasizes individualizing student experiences, was recognized with the 2025 Australian University Teacher of the Year award. Forbes believes that "it's so important that we get to know students individually" and that "we've put them into spaces where they can work together. They can be valued and they can contribute to the group."
In her acceptance speech, delivered with her strong Kiwi accent and incorporating te reo, Forbes highlighted the importance of listening to student perspectives, especially in the field of chronic pain. "The area that I teach is pain, and particularly chronic pain. And so many people have misconceptions about what chronic pain is, so to actually hear from students, what do they understand about chronic pain? What's been their experiences for them and maybe with their families or even their grandparents?"
Despite her success in Australia, Forbes hasn't ruled out a return to New Zealand. "I left for personal reasons; my partner was actually over here. So, I miss New Zealand a lot. I'm very tempted all the time to come home and be able to help with universities there."
Forbes' story is a testament to the impact of personalized teaching and the importance of community. Her roots in Ōpōtiki have shaped her resilience and sense of responsibility, and she continues to make a significant impact in her field, both in Australia and back home in New Zealand.
