Academic Lead: Specialised Learning Environments & Simulation, Faculty of Health Sciences, ACU (Brisbane Campus)

Associate Professor Melanie Barlow is a registered nurse with a background in intensive care and a nationally recognised leader in healthcare simulation, communication, and culture change. She is the National Academic Lead for Specialised Learning Environments and Simulation at the Australian Catholic University and holds an adjunct appointment with Curtin University. Melanie has extensive experience in simulation-based education, having served as Director of Simulation within a large health service and as former Chair of the Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare (ASSH). She also completed an international fellowship with the Center for Medical Simulation, Boston, USA. Her research and practice focus on healthcare communication, feedback receptivity, psychological safety, and simulation design and delivery.  

Senior Lecturer School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences at CQUniversity

I have a strong interest in advancing nurse education, student learning experiences and nurses’ wellbeing. I value the creative arts and humanities in nurse education and research. My research skills extend to the translation and evaluation of research informed interventions in nurse education and practice.  My research interests are simulation and professional identity formation. I like solution focused approaches to help solve nursing workforce issues and contemporary nurse education problems.

Professor of Innovation and Simulation, School of Nursing, University of Tasmania. Emeritus Professor, Central Queensland University

Professor Kerry Reid-Searl (AM) has been involved in undergraduate nursing education for 35 years whilst also remaining clinically current as a registered nurse with experience in remote area nursing, paediatrics and emergency. Kerry is recognised globally for her work in innovative approaches in simulation and is the creator of Mask Ed (KRS Simulation)™. Kerry is currently a professor of innovation and simulation at the University of Tasmania. She has been the recipient of numerous national teaching awards including a Simulation Australia; Achievement Award, an Australian Award for University Teaching Excellence, Australian Learning and Teaching Citations for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning and has gained a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to nursing education. Her research and practice focus on patient safety and simulation, EMR and simulation, paediatrics and simulation, Mask-Ed, psychological safety, and simulation design and delivery.  

RN and Associate Dean, Learning, Teaching and Professional Experience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University (ACU)

Professor Stephen Guinea is a national leader in transforming learning environments. His work centres on creating educational experiences that affirm diverse identities, embed cultural safety, and ensure every learner feels respected, represented, and able to participate fully. A recognised innovator, he has advanced sector-leading approaches to simulation, digital health, and experience-rich pedagogy, connecting learners with contemporary, authentic practice. His leadership has guided major educational reforms, built workforce capability, and fostered partnerships that elevate culturally responsive teaching. Through sector collaboration and meaningful partnerships, Stephen advances future-focused education that supports QSAFe’s vision for safer, more inclusive health, community wellbeing, and care.

Senior Lecturer School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences at CQUniversity

Robyn is an experienced registered nurse and health professional educator within the university and hospital settings. Robyn currently works as a Senior  Lecturer and is the Coordinator of Education and Innovation, Chair of Learning and Teaching at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine at Australian Catholic University. Robyn has a keen interest in developing the simulation skills of healthcare educators to improve learner outcomes. Robyn’s educational and research experience is in the areas of simulation-based interprofessional education, innovative use of simulation, and graduate transition to health professional practice. Her main research interest is exploring and understanding workplace communication and identity behaviours of student and graduate health professionals. Robyn enjoys innovating and co-designing solutions with academic and healthcare partners to see real, impactful change. 

Senior Lecturer in Nursing, CQUniversity Australia

Dr Chanchal Kurup, PhD, SFHEA, MACN, MClinEd, RN is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at CQUniversity Australia, with expertise in healthcare simulation, nursing education, patient safety and workforce preparation. Her work focuses on designing and evaluating evidence-informed simulation approaches that strengthen clinical competence, learner confidence, psychological safety and readiness for practice. Dr Kurup has extensive experience in simulation-based education across undergraduate, postgraduate and internationally qualified nurse programmes. Her work includes the design and delivery of immersive clinical scenarios, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) preparation, clinical skills education and innovative simulation-based learning experiences. She integrates structured debriefing, inclusive learning design and authentic clinical environments to support safe, engaging and effective learning. Her research interests include simulation quality and safety, clinical education, workforce readiness and educational innovation. She is particularly interested in emerging simulation technologies, including artificial intelligence and haptic technologies, and their potential to enhance clinical skills development, provide meaningful learner feedback and expand access to high-quality simulation-based education. Dr Kurup is committed to advancing simulation as an evidence-informed approach to strengthening nursing education, clinical capability and patient safety, with a strong focus on translating research and educational innovation into practical approaches that can be implemented across diverse education and healthcare settings. 

Lecturer, Program Lead; Simulation, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University

Aimee Lamb is a Lecturer and PhD candidate with clinical nursing experience across emergency and critical care environments. She currently works as the Program Lead: Simulation, supporting the development and delivery of innovative, evidence-based simulation and clinical education for a School of Nursing and Midwifery. Aimee has a strong interest in healthcare simulation, workforce sustainability, nursing education and translating research into practical improvements in healthcare workplaces. She has contributed to simulation innovation, curriculum development and research dissemination through conference presentations and publications, including research exploring how critical care environments influence nurses’ health and working capacity.

Leader in health workforce development, knowledge translation, and program management, Australian Catholic University (ACU)

With decades of experience spanning healthcare, education, government, and federal governance, Dr Haida Luke is a leader in health workforce development, knowledge translation, and program management. A committed advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Dr Luke has contributed to culturally safe simulation practices in collaboration with First Nations peoples. She is currently working with her colleagues in the Quality Simulation Assurance Framework (QSAFe) implementation and in Healthy Ageing “Inspire and Thrive” communication program. Her work focuses on strengthening healthcare education, improving aged-care quality, and building a capable, resilient health workforce. Dr Luke holds a PhD from The University of Queensland, where she received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for excellence in research and contributions to the academic community. She also holds a Master of Educational Psychology (UQ) and a Bachelor of Psychology from James Cook University. Her expertise encompasses simulation assurance, implementation science, mental health services, medical and allied health education, workforce strategy, risk management, and evidence-informed decision-making. Throughout her career, Dr Luke has led major health workforce programs including the “Grow Your Own” clinical workforce model, and more than 200 corporate learning programs. She has partnered with healthcare organisations, government agencies, universities, and Hospital and Health Services to design initiatives that improve outcomes, strengthen workflows, and support continuous professional development. She also runs bespoke workshops and cohosts a podcast with Dr Mel Barlow “Reframing Conversations” on Spotify and YouTube. 

Registered Nurse, Nurse Educator, and Simulation Educator for the School of Health at Whitireia/Weltec New Zealand/Aotearoa

Alexandra Wordsworth is a Registered Nurse, Nurse Educator, and currently a Simulation Educator for the School of Health at Whitireia/Weltec New Zealand/Aotearoa. Has extensive experience in clinical practice, undergraduate and postgraduate nursing education, and workforce development. Holding multiple postgraduate qualifications spanning health sciences, education, simulation, and policy. Alexandra’s research interests include the impact of public policy on mental health, workforce development, and the use of simulation-based education to enhance learning outcomes in both mental health and general nursing. I have contributed to interdisciplinary research projects, scholarly publications, and educational innovation aimed at improving healthcare training, particularly in simulation. Presenting at national and international conferences, served as a peer reviewer, and collaborated on the development of simulation standards with my involvement in Qsafe research and an online simulation learning programme with Whitireia/Weltec NZ. My work is underpinned by a commitment to equity, cultural responsiveness, and creating psychologically safe learning environments for akonga. I enjoy collaborating with educators, clinicians, and researchers to advance healthcare workforce capability and strengthen healthcare education across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Associate Dean (Midwifery), School of Nursing and Midwifery at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia

Professor Terri Downer is Associate Dean (Midwifery) within the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia. An experienced midwife, educator, and researcher, she has more than 35 years of national and international experience across midwifery, neonatal intensive care, IVF, and community health. For the past two decades, her work has focused on advancing health professional education through innovative approaches, with particular expertise in simulation, virtual reality (VR), immersive technologies, and digital visualisation. In her role as Associate Dean, she provides strategic leadership in curriculum innovation and the integration of simulation and digital technologies. She is also the Western Australian representative on the Midwifery Advisory Committee of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand), contributing to national initiatives in education, standards, and workforce development. In recognition of her contributions to higher education and academic leadership, she was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2019.