Professor Wood brings extensive senior leadership experience across the higher education sector, including oversight of governance, compliance, and student‑centred academic services. She most recently served as Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Learning and Teaching Futures) and, prior to that, as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where she led the delivery of strategic initiatives in learning and teaching and student experience to support student success and achievement.

Her career spans leadership, research, and academic roles, including as Engaged Research Chair and Director of the LEAP Research Centre at Central Queensland University, and over a decade at the University of South Australia, where she held academic leadership roles, including as Associate Head of School (Learning and Teaching). She has also held an Adjunct Professorial appointment (Extraordinary Professor) with the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, contributing to international collaborative research focused on improving education outcomes for under‑represented communities.

Professor Wood’s research is centred on advancing educational access, participation, and inclusion, with a particular focus on regional and remote communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people with disability. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to equity and student empowerment.

In recognition of her contribution to education, Professor Wood was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2017. She is also a recipient of an Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.