Dr. Sharon Bentley

Biography

Professor Bentley brings 25 years of experience in optometry, public health, and education. As the Dean, she oversees the school's academic programs, research initiatives, and community outreach. Before coming to Berkeley, Professor Bentley served as a professor of optometry, deputy dean of the Faculty of Health, and director of the Centre for Vision and Eye Research at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. She has an extensive background in strategic planning and program management, with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Her research focuses on the effects of vision impairment on daily living and the provision of low-vision services. She has a proven track record in national leadership and established the Leaders Indigenous Optometry Education Network, involving heads of optometry schools in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand, professional organizations, regulatory authorities, and Indigenous health groups. Professor Bentley's leadership in integrating Indigenous health into the optometry curriculum at QUT has set a benchmark for culturally safe educational practices. She is a Diplomate of the Low Vision Section of the American Academy of Optometry and has extensive executive management and corporate governance experience, managing multi-million-dollar budgets and enhancing eye care services for underserved populations. Recognized for her expertise, she has served on the Board of Directors for Vision Australia and has received several awards for her contributions to the field.

Research Interests