Rate My Professor Bronwen Ackermann

Associate Professor Bronwen Ackermann is a specialist musicians' physiotherapist, musculoskeletal anatomist, and musicians' health researcher at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health. Holding a PhD, Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney (2010-2012), Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, and Certificate in Acupuncture, her expertise stems from over 25 years of clinical work with performing artists, including ongoing support for musicians of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra since 1995. As a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medical Sciences, she teaches functional musculoskeletal anatomy in the Sydney Medical School and conducts research focused on occupational health, injury prevention, and management of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders in professional orchestral musicians.

Ackermann's key contributions include leading the Sound Practice program to enhance occupational health and safety for orchestral musicians across Australia. Her influential publications encompass 'Sound Practice—improving occupational health and safety for professional orchestral musicians in Australia' (2014), 'Evidence-informed physical therapy management of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians' (Frontiers in Psychology, 2014), 'Development of a specific exercise programme for professional orchestral musicians' (Injury Prevention, 2013), 'The usefulness of on-site physical therapy-led triage services for professional orchestral musicians' (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2013), and 'Performance-related musculoskeletal pain, depression and music performance anxiety in university music students' (Psychology of Music, 2013). With over 100 research outputs, her work has significant impact in performing arts medicine. She has supervised PhD and Masters students who received prestigious national and international awards. Ackermann earned the Churchill Fellowship (2002) and University of Sydney Postgraduate Award (2000), and served as Humboldt Research Fellow at Hannover University of Music, Drama and Media. She contributes to the editorial board of Medical Problems of Performing Artists journal and delivers keynote lectures internationally on musicians' health prevention and recovery.