Lauren Carr First Peoples Academic UNSW Sydney
Lauren Carr (née Hutchinson) has become the inaugural First Peoples Academic lead for the School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) and Blakcademy in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, at University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Ms Carr is a Muruwari woman and optometrist, born and raised on Wiradjuri country in the central west of NSW.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry from the Queensland University of Technology in 2017, before returning to her homeland, where she has worked as an optometrist both in private practice and within the community-controlled sector.
Ms Carr has a wealth of experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, clinical optometry, and program implementation, with a strong focus on cultural responsiveness and community engagement. She is a sitting board member of both Indigenous Allied Health Australia and the First Nations Eye Health Alliance. She contributes to national conversations on curriculum development and cultural safety through her role on the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand Indigenous Strategy Taskforce.
Ms Carr’s clinical work has included delivering school-based screening programs and supervising final-year optometry students in Aboriginal-owned practices.
In a statement, UNSW said Ms Carr’s leadership and commitment to Indigenous health make her a valuable addition to the SOVs team. “Her passion for mentoring and supporting the next generation of health professionals aligns strongly with our mission at UNSW,” the statement said.