I’m a registered nurse (intensive care) and educator based in Brisbane, Australia. In addition to 29+ years as a nurse, I have held a variety of educational positions in healthcare organisations: ICU Clinical Educator, Education Programs Manager, Director of Simulation, and Head of Evaluation and Research. Since 2011 I have been developing simulation strategic and operational plans and designing and delivering simulation-based activities. Additionally, I have developed and implemented organisational wide communication and cultural change programs.

Within higher education I am currently an Associate Professor and the national Academic Lead for Specialised Learning Environments and Simulation across the Faculty of Health at the Australian Catholic University. I have a very keen interest in developing simulation capability of staff from all disciplines across organisations. I am currently supporting both national and international organisations build their capability and embed simulation into curriculum.

I have held the position of Chair of the national healthcare simulation body, the Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare (ASSH) and completed an international fellowship in simulation with the Center for Medical Simulation, Boston, USA.

I have an absolute passion for improving healthcare communication, undertaking my PhD in the field. My research explores how healthcare professionals receive messages in the speaking up context and how this can be enhanced to improve interprofessional communication and ultimately patient safety. After 6 years of research in this field, I have created a framework to help train clinicians to be more effective receivers when spoken up to.