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Dr Rob Orr

Professor

Level 5, Bond Institute of Health and Sport, 2 Promethean Way, Robina QLD 4226

Professional biography

Dr Rob Orr joined the Australian Army in 1989 as an infantry soldier before transferring to the Australian Defence Force Physical Training Instructor (PTI) stream. Serving for 10 years in this stream, Rob designed, developed, instructed and audited physical training programs and physical education and rehabilitation courses for military personnel and fellow PTIs from both Australian and foreign defence forces. Rob subsequently transferred to the physiotherapy stream where his role included the clinical rehabilitation of defence members and project management of physical conditioning optimisation reviews. Serving as the Human Performance Officer for Special Operations before joining the team at Bond University in 2012, Rob continues to serve in the Army Reserve as a Human Performance Officer and as a sessional lecturer and consultant.

Rob is the director of the Tactical Research Unit, a multidisciplinary, international team of researchers nested in Bond University providing research, consultancy, and education services to tactical professions around the globe. Rob’s fields of research, consultancy, and education provision spans physical conditioning, reconditioning, rehabilitation and injury prevention for military, law enforcement and protective services across their occupational lifespan (initial trainee to specialist). Generally focussing on the tactical population, Rob is actively involved in research with the Australian and foreign defence forces, an extensive list of law enforcement departments (both national and international), and firefighters / first responders.

Rob has served on the organising committee for the 4th and 5th International Congress on Soldiers’ Physical Performance and on the scientific committees for the occupational branch of the Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference and World Physiotherapy Congress, and is the Chair of the organising committee for the 4th Physical Employment Standards Conference to be held at Bond University in 2023.

Teaching expertise

Having taught in Defence and the private sector for over 25 years, Rob's expertise lies in exercise prescription for injury prevention, rehabilitation and optimised function for athletes and special populations (military and protective services).

Teaching awards

  • 2021 Australian Awards for University Teaching Citation
  • 2020 Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence
  • 2019 Certificate of Excellence (eTEVAL) award – Evidence Based Practice
  • 2019 Certificate of Excellence (eTEVAL) award – Principles of Physiotherapy
  • 2017 Certificate of Excellence (eTEVAL) award – Principles of Physiotherapy
  • 2016 Certificate of Excellence (eTEVAL Award) – Principles of Physiotherapy
  • 2016 Faculty Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning through Sustained Innovation
  • 2016 HSMSA - Academic Staff Excellence
  • 2015 Certificate of Excellence (eTEVAL Award) – Principles of Physiotherapy
  • 2014 Certificate of Excellence (eTEVAL Award) – Principles of Physiotherapy
  • 2013 Certificate of Excellence (eTEVAL Award) – Maximising Human Potential
  • 2013 HSM Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award for Tutors/Facilitators

Professional admissions

  • Tactical Strength and Conditioning-Australia
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association
  • Australian Army
  • Sports Medicine Australia
  • Australian Physiotherapy Association

Qualifications

  • Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator National Strength and Conditioning Association
  • Masters of Physiotherapy Studies University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Physiotherapy) University of Queensland
  • Australian Defence Force Physical Training Instructor Australian Defence Force
  • Bachelor of Further Education and Training University of Southern Queensland