Jon Wardle

Core Academic Positions

Professor Wardle holds significant academic roles, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to public health and naturopathic medicine. Currently, he serves as:

• Professor of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University (2020-present).
• Foundation Director, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University (2020-present).

Previously, his career included several influential positions:

• Visiting Professor (Sabbatical Position), Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford (2019-2020).
• Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (continuing appointment, 2014-2020).
• Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (2012-2014).
• Research Fellow (Faculty Exchange), School of Medicine, Boston University (2014-2015).
• Trans-Pacific Research Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Washington (2010-2011).
• Lecturer, School of Population Health, University of Queensland (2008-2011).
• Lecturer/Clinical Lecturer, Faculties of Naturopathy and Biomedical Science, Australian College of Natural Medicine (Brisbane and Perth, 2005-2010).

Academic Visiting/Adjunct Positions

Furthermore, Professor Wardle maintains several prestigious visiting and adjunct roles, fostering international collaboration:

• Visiting Professor, Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford (2019-present).
• Adjunct Professor of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney (2020-present).
• Visiting Professor, School of Public Health, Chinese University of Hong Kong (2017-present).
• Adjunct Professor, School of Medicine, Boston University (USA, 2014-present).
• Adjunct Professor, School of Medicine, University of Washington (2010-present).

Educational Background of Jon Wardle

His extensive academic journey provides a robust foundation for his work:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health), School of Population Health, University of Queensland (2012).
• Master of Health and Medical Law, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne (2014).
• Master of Public Health, School of Population Health, University of Queensland (2007).
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics, University of Aberdeen (2017).
• Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), Australian College of Natural Medicine (2004).
• Diploma of Nursing, Central Queensland Institute of TAFE / Central Queensland University (1998).

Key Service Appointments

Over the last decade, Jon Wardle has held numerous service appointments, contributing significantly to government, civil society, and academic sectors. Relevant examples include:

Government Roles:

• Deputy Chair, National Health and Medical Research Council Natural Therapies Working Group (2020-present).
• Deputy Chair, Australian Commonwealth Department of Health Natural Therapies Evaluation and Assessment Committee (2019-present).

Civil Society Contributions:

• Executive member, Public Health Association of Australia (2023-present); also active in committees like the Public Health Research Advisory Group and PHAA COVID Response Committee since 2016.
• Convenor, Traditional Medicine Special Interest Group, Public Health Association of Australia (2015-present); holds memberships in the Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI) and American Public Health Association.
• Co-lead, Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine Working Group, World Federation of Public Health Associations (2022-present).
• Founding Secretary-General, World Naturopathic Federation (2016-2022).

Academic Service:

• Executive member, ATHENA-SWAN Gender Equity Program implementation committees for the University of Technology Sydney and Southern Cross University.
• Cluster Lead, Harvest to Health, Southern Cross University (a transdisciplinary research cluster focused on natural product development and evaluation, one of six university-wide clusters).
• Serves on the editorial boards for 8 international peer-reviewed journals covering public health, primary health care, traditional medicine, and pharmacology.

Clinical Experience

Professor Wardle brings over two decades of practical clinical experience to his academic and research work. His clinical background includes:

• Nurse (Operating Theatre Specialisation, 1998-2008).
• Naturopath (2005-present).

Research Funding and Major Projects Led by Jon Wardle

Since 2014, Professor Wardle has successfully attracted over $35 million in research funding from competitive, government, and philanthropic sources. Beyond research grants, he has also secured funding for significant initiatives. These include establishing the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University and integrating TCIM into health responses for natural disasters. His leadership in public health research is evident. His five most recent research grants highlight his current focus:

• “Reconnecting with Nature: Healing Climate-Related Trauma Through an Innovative Nature-Based Compassion-Focused Program” (Peregrine Rural Mental Health Partnership Grant).
• “After the Floods: Evaluating a Stepped Care Model to Treat Chronic Disaster-related PTSD” (Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund).
• “Australian First Nations traditional medicine’s role in improving utilisation of palliative care for First Nations Elders and our old people” (Australian Association of Gerontology Research Fund).
• “Integrating Traditional, Complementary Treatment Approaches to Veteran Care for Musculoskeletal and Mental Health Conditions” (Defence Health Foundation).
• “The effect of an Integrative Model on the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in autistic adults – A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial” (New South Wales Department of Health).

As a key member of the organizing and program committees for the 3rd WCTCIM, Jon Wardle brings invaluable expertise in public health, TCIM research, and policy development to the congress.

View Jon Wardle’s ORCID profile for a comprehensive list of publications and activities: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8813-3542