Joanne Tollefson was a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of the School of Nursing Sciences at James Cook University. She is a registered nurse with many years of clinical experience in several countries and extensive experience in nursing education at both the hospital and tertiary levels.

Research interests include competency-based education and clinical assessment, development of reflective practitioners for a changing work environment, chronic pain and arbovirus disease in the tropics.

Joanne is also a two-time recipient of the National Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (Carrick Award, 2007 and Australian Teaching and Learning Council Award, 2008).