Sharon is a Registered Nurse with experience in community based nursing, health service management and organisational development in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote health services. She lectures in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Sharon’s PhD thesis focused on professional becoming among newly graduated nurses in regional Australia. Her research interests include transition to professional practice, rural workforce preparation, development and retention, and capacity building.

Sue Lenthall is an experienced educationalist and remote area nurse, with over two decades of practice in remote communities across Queensland and Central Australia. She was the inaugural Course Coordinator of the Remote Health Practice program at the Flinders University Centre for Remote Health, where she oversaw the development of a curriculum specifically designed to prepare health professionals for practice in remote Australian settings. Sue holds a PhD titled ‘Back from the Edge’, which focused on reducing occupational stress among remote area nurses in the Northern Territory. She has since led and supervised numerous research projects related to remote area nursing and the remote health workforce. Currently based at Charles Darwin University, Sue has led the co-design and development of a graduate nurse program tailored for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in the Northern Territory.

Karyn Madden (PhD Candidate, MN, RN, Dip Adult Ed & Training) is the current Acting Head of Nursing and Programme Manager for the Bachelor of Nursing and Post graduate curriculums at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), Invercargill, New Zealand. Karyn has a passion for providing a voice for the student when delivering high quality nursing simulations. Karyn has embraced the teaching methods associated with immersive reality and acknowledges the advancements in augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality hold in delivering realistic and engaging simulation. Karyn has a passion for delivering realistic simulation through innovative teaching models and thrives to pass on this enthusiasm to her student’s educational journey.

Alex has worked in nursing education since 2023 with a focus on primary health care, older adults' health and learning technologies. Alex's research interests include support relationships in older families, use of assessment frameworks in community nursing and, more recently, how technology is used to support learning. Alex teaches across the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Ara Institiute of Canterbury and until recently the Post Graduate Programme. Alex's recent teaching has focused on the Research Process at an undergraduate level and Teaching and Learning theory at a Post Graduate level. Alex also provides support across the Department of Health Practice at Ara to colleagues around learning technologies working closely with the ICT and Library Teams. The advent and availability of GenAI is an exciting new area of learning, research and practice for Alex.

Nurse academic and Registered Nurse, Christine Minty-Walker, is a lecturer and PhD Candidate in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Australia. Christine has been a RN for 31 years with experience in clinical practice and education. Christine has been teaching undergraduate nursing students for 15 years. Christine is passionate about nursing numeracy, and how to best support nurse academics in teaching this skill, which will then enhance student competency, and ultimately patient safety. Christine has been developing her publications profile since 2017 and has submitted her PhD which explores the pedagogical approaches to the teaching and assessment of undergraduate nursing numeracy.

Dr Elizabeth Brogan is a Senior Lecturer at UTS and a registered nurse with over 21 years of experience in nursing and education. She has extensive expertise in curriculum development and implementation across clinical and tertiary settings and coordinates both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing subjects. Elizabeth’s PhD research focused on the health behaviours of new graduate nurses and led to the development of Start Healthy & Stay Healthy—a workplace health promotion program designed to support new graduate nurses in adopting healthy eating and physical activity behaviours during their transition to practice. Her research aims to enhance new graduates’ capability, opportunity, and motivation to prioritise their health from career commencement. Elizabeth’s interests include implementation science, health behaviour change, and the development of workplace interventions. She also researches nursing students’ attitudes towards people with obesity and regularly presents at professional conferences, with publications including several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.

Dr. Ahmad Mousa earned his BSc (2004) and Critical Care-MSN (2006) from Jordan University, where his passion for patient-centered care and family experience in critical care began. As a registered nurse in the Cardiothoracic ICU at ISL Hospital, Amman, he focused on improving health outcomes during patients' most critical moments. His master’s thesis explored the factors influencing ICU family satisfaction, anxiety, and needs. Transitioning into academia, Dr. Mousa served as a Lecturer at King Saud University (2006–2010), where he discovered his enthusiasm for teaching and research. After relocating to Australia, he worked as a Quality and Education Manager in aged care and was awarded the prestigious Edith Cowan University Postgraduate Research Scholarship, completing his PhD in 2017. Currently, Dr. Mousa is a dedicated academic and researcher, contributing to Edith Cowan University, Victoria University, Curtin University, and the Institute of Health and Management.

Professor Neville is responsible for the strategic and academic leadership of nursing at the University of the Sunshine Coast. His research focuses on promoting healthy ageing and ensuring nurses have the educational preparation to appropriately work with older people. His reputation as a nurse and gerontological researcher has resulted in a number of local, national, and international appointments, including as a Fellow and Life Member of the College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ), Editor for the Journal of Clinical Nursing, and Associate Editor for the Australasian Journal on Ageing. He is also a strategic advisory board member for the Minister for Seniors Age-Friendly Communities Taskforce, as well as a member of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grant Assessment Committee. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Western Sydney University and Edith Cowan University and a Research Associate at the Auckland University of Technology Centre for Active Ageing.

Ms Tracy Parrish is a Registered Nurse and Senior Lecturer in the school of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine for the Faculty of Health Sciences at Australian Catholic University. In her role, Tracy is a Course Coordinator for the undergraduate nursing programs and contributes to excellence in learning and teaching by contributing to change in student support. Tracy displays a passion in simulation and technology in the undergraduate nursing programs. Her learning, teaching and research interests include simulation pedagogy, curriculum development and digital health technology use in undergraduate nursing programs. Tracy has had over 15 years’ experience teaching in the tertiary sector in both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has had many governance and leadership roles. Tracy is currently enrolled in a PhD. Tracy's research focuses on preparing academics to teach Electronic Medical Records in nursing programs.

Associate Professor Adam Burston the Head of Discipline (Nursing) at the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine Australian Catholic University, and Research Fellow at the Nursing Research & Practice Development Centre, The Prince Charles Hospital. Adam’s research areas include Nursing Workforce, Acute Care, Aged Care Nursing, Pressure Injury, Bioethics, and Higher Education, and he is an active supervisor for HDR students and mentor for nursing academics. He is currently co-lead on an Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia grant investigating technology to improve communication and trust between families of aged care residents and nurses, and team member on a Victorian Nurses and Midwives Trust Major Grant investigating the use of standardised nursing terminology in electronic nursing care plans. Completing his PhD on moral distress in the aged care nursing workforce, Adam continues to research in ethics with current projects exploring the effectiveness of ethics education, student moral character, and academics experience of moral distress. As the Research Fellow at the Nursing Research & Practice Development Centre (TPCH), Adam is engaged in all aspects of the centres work including as an appointed member of the TPCH Research Council. Current pressure injury (PI) research here includes projects on patient experiences of severe pressure injury, inter-rater reliability of PI risk assessment tools, incidence of PI following cardiac surgery, and a series of systematic reviews analysing the psychometric properties of PI risk assessment tools.

Elyce is an Alumni of the Adelaide Nursing School at the University of Adelaide. She completed her 12 month Nursing Entry to Practice (NetP) Program in Christchurch, and worked in the Paediatric Surgical ward where she realised that Paediatrics was her path in life. Upon returning to Adelaide in 2009 she began working at the Women's and Children's Hospital in the Michael Rice Centre for Haematology Oncology, holding many positions within the unit, the highlight of which was as Nurse Educator. Elyce began working at the Adelaide Nursing School in 2019, and is currently a course coordinator and third year lead for the Bachelor of Nursing program. Her passion lies in educating the nurses of the future, and to create relationship-rich learning environments. In her spare time she wrangles a 7 year old, enjoys a good book and attends parkrun every Saturday to offset her love of food and coffee.

Dr Jacqui Peet holds a conjoint senior fellow position with Metro North Hospital Health Service (Caboolture Hospital) and University of the Sunshine Coast. She is a early career researcher working at the local levels of health services research. Her work explores patient safety, patient assessment, patient flow and workplace cultures using participatory action research methodologies. She works closely with frontline clinicians to support their research capacity building by enabling research projects close to where patient care is experienced and enacted.

Associate Professor Jacqui Pich is the Deputy Head of School Teaching and Learning for the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Jacqui has significant experience in the teaching and learning space and in curriculum development. She was awarded a national citation for outstanding contributions to student learning in 2022 and a UTS Teaching and Learning award in 2024. She also works closely with industry and was one of the chief investigators on a review on the training and education conducted in South Western Sydney Local Health District. Her body of research is focused on violence in nursing and she is considered an expert in her field. She continues to work closely with professional nursing organisations on this topic and is especially interested in the link between violence to nurses and the impact on patient safety.

Cara is an RN who has a passion for nursing education and the development of professional and competent registered nurses. She has worked in health education since 2001, focusing on nursing education since 2004. With a broad range of experience in nursing education, teaching across both undergraduate and post-graduate curriculum, Cara is the current Programme Leader Academic for the BHSc (Nursing) programme. This role aligns with her values related to fairness, equity and quality graduates which underpin sound educational practice. Cara completed a DHSc in 2022. Her researched focused on the complexity of stakeholder collaboration in clinical learning for undergraduate 2nd year student nurses. The methodology was interpretive description underpinned by complexity theory. Her M.Ed thesis explored transitional experiences of pregnant university students, using case study methodology. She supervises students undergoing special topic courses, as well as masters or doctoral degrees.

Debbie is a Nursing Lecturer at Southern Cross University and is currently undertaking a PhD at Edith Cowan University. Her research focuses on the experiences of student nurses during Primary Health Care placements with a strong interest in strategies to enhance this workforce through dynamic placements and curriculum development. Debbie brings a wealth of experience in nursing, having worked in Acute Medical and Surgery, Primary Health Care, Global Health, Operating Theatres, Research and Education. She holds a Master of Education (Research) and postgraduate qualifications in International Health, Tropical Nursing and Immunisations.

Nicole is an experienced Nursing Education Coordinator and Clinical Nurse Educator at Northern Health in Melbourne, Victoria. Nicole has extensive experience in clinical postgraduate nursing education and novice program development. Holding a Master of Clinical Education, Graduate Certificate in Perioperative Practice, and membership to the Golden Key International Honor Society, Nicole is a passionate educator with a drive to inspire, motivate, lead and mentor educators to provide outstanding educational opportunities. Nicole has a particular interest in wellbeing support of students and fellow educators. Nicole was fortunate to be awarded an Australian College of Nursing Emerging Nurse Researcher Scholarship in 2024. This program has provided an opportunity to commence her journey into research with a mentored scoping review undertaken. Nicole has this year commenced her Professional Doctorate studies at Latrobe University,in order to continue her research journey and contribute to knowledge development in nursing educator and student support.

With an esteemed 25-year nursing career Amy’s expertise spans acute care, community and primary health as a Credentialled Diabetes Educator, national projects, volunteering and health professional education. Amy's notable achievements include being honoured as the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) Victorian Diabetes Educator of the Year in 2018 and an inaugural Australian College of Nursing Bullwinkel scholar in 2024. In her role as a nursing academic at Federation University Australia, Amy focuses on nursing professionalism, leadership, transition, and person-centred chronic disease care. She contributes nationally with the Australian College of Nursing Leadership Faculty and leads mentoring initiatives within the ADEA. She is actively engaged in interprofessional education and is currently completing her PhD in nursing leadership. These endeavours reflect her commitment and passion to shaping and inspiring the future of nursing.

Caitlin is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Bundjalung nation. She is a Registered Nurse and a new academic as an Associate Lecturer with the University of Wollongong. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing in 2023 with a distinction average and was awarded the Dean’s Merit award for academic success. She is currently completely her Honours thesis investigating preregistration nursing student intention to specialise in paediatric nursing. Caitlin has clinical experience in acute surgical nurse and palliative care. Caitlin is passionate about educating and inspiring the next generation of nurses to use their voices for growth and change for the nursing profession. Caitlin is eager to determine why nursing students prefer some specialties over others to assist with workforce planning.

My research focuses on mental health, young people's well-being, substance use prevention, health promotion, and the experiences of individuals in foster care. I am also actively engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education, particularly within nursing and health disciplines. I am currently leading several research projects and supervising both HDR and Honours students. My recent work includes projects on mental health education for university students, substance use prevention strategies targeting parents and carers. These projects aim to translate evidence-based practices into real-world applications. In addition, I have been awarded several Teaching & Learning grant and a SEED grant from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University, which further demonstrates my commitment to research that bridges education, practice, and community impact. I'm co-leader of Training and Education in MH Theme within the SoNM. I have been engaged with MH Research Unit SWSLHD and mentoring their staff to conduct a multidisciplinary systematic review about MH services to CALD consumers.

Elissa is a lecturer in nursing at Federation University Australia with a clinical background in both physiotherapy and nursing. Since transitioning into academic research in 2020, she has contributed to multiple projects focused on healthcare education, digital health, mental health and patient safety. Elissa completed her PhD in 2024, which focused on exploring falls risk awareness of inpatients in regional Victoria. Her current work includes electronic medical record (EMR) training for nursing students, academic integrity in the era of generative AI and digital health literacy in undergraduate nursing education. Elissa is passionate about authentic assessment, research capacity-building and bridging the gap between theory and clinical practice. She is dedicated to mentoring future nurses and fostering a positive research culture in undergraduate programs.

Johanna Rhodes is a proud nurse with a passion for nursing regulation, education, and simulation-based learning. As a Nurse Adviser, Education at the Nursing Council of New Zealand, she is dedicated to ensuring that nurses are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of contemporary healthcare. Her research focuses on the role of simulation in nursing education, particularly in competency development, regulatory compliance, and the experience of educators assuming simulated patient roles. She examines the dynamic relationship between individual creativity and institutional policy through the lens of coexisting altruistically and egoistically, a theory emerging from her research on educators assuming simulated patient roles. This perspective highlights the balance between personal investment in simulation-based education and institutional ownership, revealing both tensions and opportunities when educators create and leave behind simulated patient characters. A key aspect of Johanna’s work explores the intersection of simulation, intellectual property, and policy, investigating how ownership of simulated patient characters impacts educational continuity and workforce mobility. She advocates for clear regulatory guidelines to sustain simulation practices that honour educators' contributions while upholding institutional integrity. Committed to advancing the immersive and transformative potential of simulation, Johanna champions its role in shaping the future of nursing education, ensuring that regulation, policy, and pedagogy align to develop competent, practice-ready nurses.

Working as an Associate Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University and teaching undergraduate program. With a strong foundation in clinical practice, I bring a wealth of experience in various specialties such as medical-surgical, critical care and emergency nursing. Teaching nursing students for more than seven years and have over 22 years of acute care clinical experience. I have a passion for advancing clinical knowledge and fostering a supportive learning environment for students ensuring clinical placements are enjoyable for students and mentors.

Annette Stunden is an Academic Program Advisor and Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. In 2022 Annette was nominated for Vice Chancellor award for excellence in learning and teaching. Annette’s area of interest is adult pedagogy and evidenced based learning experience. She is interested in undergraduate nursing students’ perception and experience of assessment items embedded into the teaching curricula. Annette has been involved in several projects which has resulted in journal and book publications around students’ experience of practical exams, multiple choice tests, academic literacy, and digital literacy. Annette’s PhD study is investigating nursing students gaps in digital literacy and the development of a digital literacy and health informatics framework to prepare undergraduate nursing students for the digitalised clinical environment.

Kat Vakavosaki is a lecturer in the School of Nursing at the University of Waikato and plays a key role in the final year of the Bachelor of Nursing programme as team leader. With an extensive clinical background and a focus on education that is practical, inclusive, and forward-thinking, she is passionate about empowering students to become confident, capable practitioners. Her work focuses on integrating innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration into undergraduate nursing education. Kat’s leadership in student-led innovation projects highlights her commitment to preparing nurses not only for today’s practice but for leading change in the healthcare systems of tomorrow.

Zainab Zahr is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Technology, distinguished by her unwavering commitment to nursing education. Her profound passion for the profession is deeply rooted in her personal experience as a caregiver for her two siblings with disabilities. This role underscored the significant impact of nursing care on her family, inspiring her to make meaningful contributions to the field. Zainab's clinical expertise encompasses Anaesthetics, PACU, and pediatrics. She harbors a particular enthusiasm for global health and education, which has been further shaped by her participation in a study cultural exchange program to Fiji in 2024 with nursing students. This transformative experience reinforced her dedication to advancing nursing education to meet the evolving needs of future generations. Zainab is a staunch advocate for the integration of cultural competence and global awareness into nursing curricula. She believes that preparing students to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape is essential. Her efforts aim to equip future nurses with the skills necessary to deliver compassionate, culturally responsive care across diverse patient populations.

Dr. Ryan Wilson is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Director at the University of British Columbia Okanagan's School of Nursing in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. With extensive experience in nursing education, curriculum design, and clinical leadership, Dr. Wilson specializes in developing innovative graduate programs and facilitating student success through evidence-based pedagogical practices. His recent initiatives include the design and implementation of the Doctor of Nursing (DN) program, emphasizing leadership, change management, and operational effectiveness. Dr. Wilson actively engages in research focused on advancing clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and leadership competencies among nursing students and professionals. Committed to fostering inclusivity and cultural safety, he prioritizes integrating equity and reconciliation principles into nursing education. Dr. Wilson is passionate about mentoring the next generation of nursing leaders and has contributed significantly to developing strategic pathways for nursing education aligned with contemporary healthcare demands.

Ying Xiong is a Senior Lecturer and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato, where she teaches nursing applied science in undergraduate and Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-registration) programmes. Her doctoral research explores the lived experiences of students in accelerated nursing education, with a focus on academic success, cultural inclusivity and career progression. Ying has a particular interest in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations, both in clinical practice and academia. She is also actively engaged in innovative pedagogies, including AI-assisted learning, to enhance student engagement and prepare future nurses for a technology-driven healthcare landscape.

Lara Wall is a lecturer in the School of Nursing at the University of Waikato and a PhD candidate researching the role of school nurses in supporting youth health. She teaches in the postgraduate nursing programme, with a focus on scope development and clinical reasoning. Dr Samantha Heath is a senior lecturer at the University of Waikato. She teaches postgraduate nursing students, holding a key role in the child health specialties. Her research interests are child health and education for health professionals. Kat Vakavosaki is a lecturer at the University of Waikato and a PhD candidate. She teaches final-year pre-registration nursing students nursing assessment and practice. Her research focuses on community nursing. Ying Xiong is a senior lecturer and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato. She teaches science across the pre-registration nursing programme. Her research interests include the experiences of CALD nursing students enrolled in the pre-registration nursing programmes.

Ying Xiong is a Senior Lecturer and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato, where she teaches nursing applied science in undergraduate and Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-registration) programmes. Her doctoral research explores the lived experiences of students in accelerated nursing education, with a focus on academic success, cultural inclusivity and career progression. Ying has a particular interest in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations, both in clinical practice and academia. She is also actively engaged in innovative pedagogies, including AI-assisted learning, to enhance student engagement and prepare future nurses for a technology-driven healthcare landscape.

Kat Vakavosaki is a lecturer in the School of Nursing at the University of Waikato and plays a key role in the final year of the Bachelor of Nursing programme as team leader. With an extensive clinical background and a focus on education that is practical, inclusive, and forward-thinking, she is passionate about empowering students to become confident, capable practitioners. Her work focuses on integrating innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration into undergraduate nursing education. Kat’s leadership in student-led innovation projects highlights her commitment to preparing nurses not only for today’s practice but for leading change in the healthcare systems of tomorrow.

I am a dedicated cardiac nurse with a passion for patient care and education. Holding a Phd, I have spent years refining my skills and knowledge in cardiology, which has enabled me to deliver the highest quality of care to my patients. My journey in nursing began with a desire to make a difference in people’s lives, and over the years, I have found fulfilment in both clinical practice and teaching. Teaching has become another passion of mine, allowing me to share my knowledge with aspiring nurses and healthcare professionals. I am particularly interested in the quality of care, which I consider a vital aspect of nursing. By educating future nurses about evidence-based practices and the importance of compassionate care, I aim to elevate the standards within our profession.

Dr Pauline Gillan is senior lecturer in nursing at Charles Sturt University, with over 18years experience at a number of Australian universities teaching into undergraduate and postgraduate nursing courses and over 25 years of clinical experience in many areas of nursing practice including acute care, midwifery, early childhood, medical, surgical and several years’ experience as a community palliative care nurse. Her nursing experience encompasses a range of clinical environments including large metropolitan hospitals, small and large rural referral hospitals as well as community health settings. Pauline is a passionate palliative and end-of-life care lecturer and researcher whose publications focus on undergraduate nursing students’ experiences with end-of-life care and end-of-life care simulation. Other research interests include end-of-life and palliative care in aged care, deteriorating patient simulation and equity and healthcare access for LGBTIQ+ people in rural and remote communities.

Dr. Flora He is a Senior Lecturer and the National Honours Coordinator at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine of Australian Catholic University. She completed her PhD at the Australian National University in 2014, examining acculturative stress among international nursing students. Dr. He specialises in systematic reviews, with two first-author articles in the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Her research focuses on self-directed learning, students' psychological well-being, academic integrity, and culturally appropriate palliative care practices. Currently, Dr He leads studies on exploring nursing students' moral character and perceptions of academic dishonesty at ACU. View her publications on ORCID iD.

Laura is a Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at ECU and continues to practice clinically as a Registered Nurse in a Rural Adult Intensive Care Unit. Her extensive career spans critical care, emergency medicine, paediatrics, and surgical specialties. During this period, Laura earned multiple postgraduate qualifications in Critical Care Nursing and served as an acting ICU staff development nurse. In this leadership role, she gained a deep understanding of the clinical, emotional, and ethical challenges inherent in critical care; an experience that fuelled her passion for education and advocacy and led her to a career in academia. Laura's research has always been driven by either a deep concern about an issue (and a focus on how can I improve outcomes for patients/staff) or a strong sense of curiosity to understand and explore a particular area more thoroughly. Her master’s research on barriers to end-of-life care (EOLC) in the ICU highlighted the psychological and physical toll on nurses, as well as the need for strategies to enhance care delivery and staff wellbeing. Two months after completing this study, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Reflecting on the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, Laura felt compelled to pursue further research through a PhD to investigate the short and long-term impacts of the pandemic on the nursing and midwifery workforce in Australia. Through her teaching and research, Laura remains committed to equipping both current and future healthcare professionals with the skills and support systems essential for excellence, while continuing to passionately advocate for strategies that enhance the retention and wellbeing of the existing workforce.

Professor Andrew Jull is a nursing academic at the University of Auckland’s School of Nursing as well as Co-director for the Centre for Translational Research in Health. Andrew has had editorial roles in Evidence Based Nursing, the International Journal of Nursing Studies, BMC Trials, and the Cochrane Wounds Review Group. Andrew has more than 170 publications, has been cited more than 6000 times and has an international reputation for the quality his work in venous leg ulcers.

Dr Maggie Zgambo is a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Australia. Her research is driven by a commitment to improving the well-being of children and young people, particularly those with chronic conditions and within the culturally diverse and migrant communities. She focuses on strengthening parental support, promoting preventative health strategies, and enabling self-management for children living with chronic conditions. Dr Zgambo’s work also explores the role of digital technologies in healthcare and higher education, with an emphasis on equity, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive practice. She has published in leading nursing and public health journals. She contributes to the translation of research into practice through her role as an Honorary Research Consultant at Perth Children’s Hospital and Research Fellow position affiliated with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child

Cheryl Steers is the Nursing Director for Education and Training within the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service in Queensland. Cheryl has a Master of Critical Care Nursing, Certificate in Business Administration, and a Certificate in Clinical Teaching. Cheryl leads a team of Nurse and Midwifery Educators who work across the Wide Bays three regional hospitals and seven rural facilities. She is passionate about staff development and empowering others to work to their full scope of practice and delegation. She has a keen interest in nursing and midwifery education of the future and how we can best meet the needs of the current and future staff within our profession.

Dr. Katrina Lane-Krebs is a Senior Lecturer and Cluster Lead in Psychosocial Research at Central Queensland University (SNMSS). Renowned for her contributions to nursing education and inclusive healthcare, her research focuses on phenomenology, disability advocacy, and mental health, emphasising real-world applications in regional and rural settings. She advocates for integrating lived experiences into healthcare education and policy development.

Christian Lane-Krebs is a passionate advocate for inclusion and a proud young adult living with disability. He has presented at international conferences since high school, challenging stereotypes and promoting equity in healthcare and sport. Christian is currently completing his undergraduate year in the CQU/UQ Pathway to Medicine program. A member of the Golden Key Honour Society and recipient of the Olympic Changemaker Award, he is recognised for his leadership in advocacy. Christian is also a world record holder and Australian champion in rowing, exemplifying resilience and excellence across disciplines. He is committed to regional and rural health care enhancement and sees his future career established in these contexts.