Joanna Nicholas

Joanna's research and teaching sits at the intersection of sport science and the performing arts, with a focus on optimising the physical and psychological health, wellbeing, and performance of dancers and circus artists. Her work explores strategies to support career longevity and sustainable participation in the performing arts through the development of evidence-based tools and resources for artists, educators, clinicians, and researchers.

As a research-informed educator and performing arts health scholar, Joanna integrates performance science, behavioural science, and industry engagement to enhance learning, health, and performance outcomes for performing artists. Joanna is an active member of research groups including: (1) the Surveillance of Injuries for Research in Circus (SIRC) Working Group, a group of international researchers leading circus science, injury, and wellbeing research; and (2) Dance Research Collaborative (DaRC), a group of Australian dance researchers interested in dancer wellbeing and dance for wellbeing. Through national and international collaborations and research translation, she contributes to advancing the fields of performing arts medicine and science and strengthening the evidence base that informs training, health care, and wellbeing practices across the sector.

Before joining academia, Joanna spent more than 20 years in the fitness industry, including six years as Regional Head Lecturer for the Australian Institute of Fitness (WA). A lifelong dancer, she has taught pole dancing for more than two decades and remains actively engaged in industry as a pole dance instructor, strength and conditioning coach, and performer. By maintaining an active professional practice alongside her academic role, Joanna brings contemporary industry experience into her teaching and research, helping to bridge the gap between evidence and practice in the performing arts.