The Real YouQ
Meet the new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Professor Danny Liew
Welcome back to The Real YouQ, a Contact Q&A series offering a glimpse into the real lives of members of the UQ community – from alumni to students and staff.
In this edition, we catch up with the Executive Dean of the newly established Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences (HMBS), Professor Danny Liew. With over 25 years of experience in senior roles at Group of Eight universities and tertiary hospitals, he most recently served as Dean of Medicine and Head of the Adelaide Medical School. Throughout his career, Professor Liew has led initiatives that strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, develop sustainable research strategies, and deliver world-class training for healthcare professionals.
An expert in clinical epidemiology, health services research and health economics, Professor Liew is deeply committed to advancing consumer-focused, efficient, and equitable healthcare. He is particularly interested in leveraging technology to improve health outcomes and has worked across academia, healthcare and government to build strategic partnerships locally and internationally.
Beyond his professional work, Professor Liew remains clinically active in General Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology and is passionate about teaching. Originally from Melbourne, he is enjoying settling into Brisbane and has been struck by the warmth of the people (and the quality of the seafood!).
But who is the real Professor Liew? Keep scrolling to find out.
On the day you first arrived at UQ, what were your impressions of the campus?
Beautiful, big, friendly.
What’s one fact that people wouldn’t know about you?
I have a fear of feathers (pteronophobia). Luckily, it is mild, but birds can stay away thanks (unless neatly prepared for consumption).
Is there a skill you wish you had learnt, or one that you’re currently trying to master?
Skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding – but alas, I lack the cool and the balance.
Trading in cryptocurrency.
Underwater basket weaving – no, not really, but it would be nice to start a thing.
At the University of Adelaide, a group approached me to launch a postgraduate program called ‘Extreme Medicine’. It would have sold itself, but it didn’t get off the ground. There would be all these clinicians (like me) going “Wait, wha? No more practising sedate medicine for me!”
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
1. Family.
2. My iPhone. I misplaced it recently and confronted the shock reality of my dependence on it.
3. Dwayne, my VW Amarok (Dwayne the Rok)
Honourable mention: Kayo.
What are you currently reading?
Maps of St Lucia campus.
The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson.
Noise by Daniel Kahneman (but struggling with some of the statistical concepts).
About to get into The three-body problem trilogy by Cixin Liu after watching the Netflix series.
I like Matthew Reilly’s fiction but haven’t yet read his two latest novels.
Who are your real-life heroes?
My mum Laurentia. Spirited, courageous, resilient, nurturing, selfless.
Ordinary people who deal with adversity every day but keep going and keep caring, and loving.
You’re the inaugural Executive Dean of the newly forged Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. What are you most excited about in taking on this role?
Shaping the future health and behavioural workforce, tailored to the needs of the community, and generating evidence (through impactful research) to guide its function. I am also excited about working with intelligent, committed and infectiously passionate people.
What would be your all-time career highlight?
Being appointed the inaugural Executive Dean of the new Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland. What a privilege and an honour.
I’m lucky to have been provided with great opportunities throughout my career, including to learn from amazing colleagues and extraordinary situations (including the COVID-19 pandemic).
What’s your advice for our younger alumni who are starting a career in medicine or health?
Prioritise the needs of patients or clients over everything else. Remember that we serve others, and if done well, this will be all the reward you need.
Also, look after yourselves and each other.
Professor Danny Liew photographed by Jenny Cuerel
Professor Danny Liew photographed by Jenny Cuerel
