DrSmitha Sukumar

Smitha’s service is anchored in mentorship, succession planning, and improving representation within dental education and the academic workforce. She provides sustained career‑development support to academic colleagues across career stages, with a particular focus on teaching‑focused, fractional and early‑career academics who are often underrepresented in leadership and promotion pathways. Her service includes mentoring, sponsorship and practical guidance on academic planning, promotion processes, and leadership development, contributing to workforce sustainability in a shrinking dental academic pipeline.

She is passionate about  building inclusive academic cultures through active involvement in equity and diversity initiatives (Smitha is sits on the Women at Sydney committee, a university level initiative to promote academic and professional women) and co‑mentoring programs that support women and under‑represented groups to navigate academic careers. Through both formal and informal leadership roles, she prioritises developing future educators and leaders, ensuring continuity, capability and diversity in dental education and the profession.