About UsSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences

Health Workforce Academy

The academy builds on industry connections and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to inform the research agenda. We subsequently share the contemporary knowledge and innovative designs to upskill candidates and develop the vital skills to strengthen research performance and build resilience and agility to produce high quality and impactful research.

Initial interest in forming a Health Workforce Academy was mooted in 2018 following discussions between the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences and the School of Graduate Research. The impetus came from the increased opportunities available to experienced clinicians to pursue higher degree education, advance industry learning and address contemporary research issues related to health workforce. Candidates in the academy are drawn from three schools: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences (SNMSS), School of Business and Law (SBL) and School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences (SHMAS) with research interests in:

  • Nursing and Midwifery research, Models of health care delivery, quality and safety in health care, Health workforce resilience and burnout, Clinical education, Simulation and Domestic violence (SNMSS)
  • Leadership, Organisational behaviour, Organisational psychology, and occupational health and safety (SBL) *
  • Safety science, Shift work, Sleep and biological rhythms, Applied psychology, Human factors, Risk management and Allied health education (SHMAS)

The academy will support its graduates to engage with industry and apply their advanced research skills confronting healthcare workforce across acute, community, public and private sectors.

The Academy was established in April 2020 and formally launched in June 2020. The Foundation Coordinator is Dr Ashlyn Sahay from SNMSS, with leadership and advisory teams drawn from the three schools.

Vision

Develop strong research collaborations between the health workforce industry and the University through the provision of in-depth and comprehensive research excellence.

Mission

Enhance the research education and training of health workforce researchers within the university and industry.

Values

  • Excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Flexibility
  • Innovation
  • Integrity
  • Participation

Focus areas

  • Research and Policy
  • Behavioural Health
  • Ageing and Long-term care
  • Health Equity
  • Health Economics
  • Rural and Regional Health
  • Patient safety and quality care
  • Leadership and Management

Discipline areas

  • Ageing and Aged Care
  • Patient Safety and Quality Care
  • Health Education
  • Health Leadership and Change Management
  • Rural and Regional Health
  • Indigenous Health
  • Practice Environment

Professional Community

Dr Ashlyn Sahay - Director

A/Professor Clare Harvey

Professor Eileen Willis

The academy draws on its natural synergy between three schools: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences (SNMSS); School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences (SHMAS) and School of Business and Law (SBL) to provide a world-class experience in health workforce research. Learners pursuing this area of research have the advantage of working alongside world-renowned researchers, supervisors, mentors and international collaborators with health workforce expertise in cutting-edge methodology, innovative research designs, pedagogy and theoretical conceptualisation.

The mechanisms of support offered through this academy aims to enhance the applied research capabilities of higher degree candidates, enabling them to develop agility and resilience in health workforce research. We foster industry, community, national and international research collaborations to develop sustained research capacity.

Our industry partners and collaborators play a key role in co-designing the health workforce agenda and progressive pedagogy to enhance learning and adaptive research skills. The academy welcomes learners who want to be the catalyst for change and encourages potential national and international collaborators to partner with us in building the research capability for the health workforce.

Apply to become a member 

As a member, you will have access to several member benefits. Here are some great perks you get for becoming a member with HWA:

  • HWA Learning Kits with Micro-credentials
  • Enjoy members-only webinars
  • Enjoy members-only masterclass
  • Bespoke training
  • HWA Scholarships
  • Financial Incentives for publications
  • Mentorship program
  • Industry contact
  • Free writing and method resources
  • Exclusive VIP event entry

Apply to become a member 

Professional community

  1. Biostatistics
  2. Qualitative research
  3. Quantitative research
  4. Mixed methods
  5. Introduction to design thinking

HWA Learning Kits

  • Individual Learning Plans
  • Connect with a Mentor

Please contact the HWA team for access to learning kits at hwa@cqu.edu.au