Richard Hays was a rural medical generalist in northern Queensland before becoming a teacher and education researcher, gaining further qualifications in educational psychology and medical education. He has had roles in the development of several medical education programs, including new medical schools in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and South-East Asia. In 2017 he returned to rural practice in North-West Qld and South-West Tasmania and resumed roles supporting registrars training for rural and remote medicine. His research profile includes about AUD 5 million in competitive research and development grants and publication of about 270 peer-reviewed papers, 19 book chapters and 12 books.