Justin Kemp celebrates 25 years at ACU

This year marks 25 years of service at ACU by Professor Justin Kemp, Executive Dean of Health Sciences (acting).

Justin commenced as a lecturer at ACU in 1996, within the then School of Nursing and Human Movement on the Oakleigh campus in Melbourne (which incidentally is now the Chadstone Shopping Centre car park).

Justin completed his PhD in 2008, studying muscle biochemistry/physiology. From 2010 to 2018, he was Professor and National Head, School of Exercise Science. In that time, he oversaw the roll-out of Exercise Science on the Brisbane Campus, a 400 per cent growth in student enrolments nationally, large expansion of the School’s undergraduate and postgraduate course portfolio, and the achievement of course accreditation for its programs. He has supervised seven PhD students to completion and three University Honours Medal winners, publishing 40 scientific papers along the way. Through Justin's time at ACU, he has dedicated efforts to communicating science to the general public by publishing three popular science books, most notably Run Like You Stole Something. He also hosted the sports science/culture radio show of the same name on 3RRR-FM for 12 years.

In 2016, Justin received a Vice-Chancellor’s Postgraduate Teaching Excellence Award for his role in implementing ACU’s Master of High Performance Sport. This included innovative delivery models with major international partners, namely the University of Notre Dame (USA) and Leeds Trinity University (UK). He also established a network of industry consultancy and student internship opportunities, both domestically and within the US Collegiate Sport and US Pro Sport environments. In 2018, he was appointed National Head, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, as part of a Faculty of Health Science (FHS) restructure. In late 2019, he was appointed FHS Deputy Dean, and is currently acting in the role of Executive Dean for FHS.

Justin has made significant contributions to the growth and reputation of his own discipline of Exercise Science, to FHS and to the university. Congratulations, Justin, and thank you for your service to ACU.