Dr Aletha Ward
| Name | Dr Aletha Ward |
|---|---|
| Email Address | aletha.ward@unisq.edu.au |
| Job Title | Senior Research Lead (First Nations) |
| Qualifications | BNurs USQ, PGCertMgt USQ, MBA USQ, PhD USQ |
| Department | School of Nursing and Midwifery |
| First Nations Strategy Research Alliance | |
| Affiliations | School of Health and Medical Sciences |
| School of Psychology and Wellbeing | |
| School of Business | |
| Centre for Health Research | |
| Institute for Resilient Regions | |
| ORCID | https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4549-0704 |
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Biography
Aletha Ward is an experienced healthcare leader who is dedicated to enhancing public health and fostering a sustainable future that benefits all. With a wealth of expertise in leading research on climate health and health inequity, Aletha has made considerable contributions to this field, particularly within local, state and federal policy. Aletha was awarded fellowship in 2023 from the Australian College of Nursing for her contribution in this field and is the chair for the Climate Health Faculty. Aletha is also the climate health representative for the Australian Primary Healthcare Nurses Association.
Having a background in public health and nursing, Aletha possesses an excellent comprehension of the intricate relationship between human well-being and the environment.
In addition to her research efforts, Aletha is a director in the non-profit sector in health equity and is frequently sought after as a speaker in discussions pertaining to climate health and public health. She offers a distinct perspective, drawing from her extensive experience across both the public and private spheres.
Employment
| Position | Organisation | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Director - First Nations Research Alliance | University of Southern Queensland | 2024 | |
| Lecturer | University of Southern Queensland | 2015 | 2023 |
| Director: Clinical Workforce planning | Queensland Health | 2012 | 2015 |
Expertise
public health
planetary health
health equity
plant based diets
primary healthcare
Fields of Research
- 420319. Primary health care
- 420599. Nursing not elsewhere classified
- 420602. Health equity
- 420603. Health promotion
- 420606. Social determinants of health
- 420699. Public health not elsewhere classified
Professional Membership
| Professional Membership | Year |
|---|---|
| Fellowship - Australian College of Nursing | |
| Australian Primary Healthcare Nurses Association. |
BNurs
USQ
2004
PGCertMgt
USQ
2008
MBA
USQ
2012
PhD
USQ
2019
Supervision Interests
Climate health
Planetary health
Health equity
Current Supervisions
| Research Title | Supervisor Type | Level of Study | Commenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse leadership in advancing planetary health outcomes | Associate Supervisor | Doctoral | 2024 |
| A Co-Designed model of care for older adults with morbid obesity residing in rural New Zealand | Associate Supervisor | Doctoral | 2024 |
| Managing Climate Change Threats for Safe Flight Operations in Australia | Principal Supervisor | Doctoral | 2023 |
| General Practice Utilisation of Public Specialist Outpatient Services | Associate Supervisor | Doctoral | 2021 |
Completed Supervisions
| Research Title | Supervisor Type | Level of Study | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selfishly Eating Up the Planet? The influence of selfishness, empathy, motivation, religion, and gender on the consumption of meat and willingness to reduce animal product consumption. | Associate Supervisor | Doctoral | 2024 |
| Exploring the need for assistive technologies through analyses of a longitudinal database of older people in China | Associate Supervisor | Doctoral | 2023 |
| Project title | Details | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Primary Healthcare Nurses Association | Funding awarded for scoping review "Primary Healthcare Nurses preparedness for climate change". $5,000. | 2024 |
| Queensland Connects | Building a community energy zone - Queensland Connects. $30,000 | 2022 |
| Rotary Australia | "Social return on investment for community-based activity programs". $2,000 | 2021 |
| UnISQ Capacity building grant | Micro-algae as a drought proof, food secure crop. $10,500 | 2021 |
| Australian College of Nursing | Funding for review: "Reimagining the role of nursing education in emissions reduction". | 2021 |
| USQ Collaboration Grant | "Social return on investment for community-based activity programs". $5,000 | 2020 |
| GELTS (teaching and learning) UniSQ Grant | Embedding of Cultural Safety and Aboriginal an Torres Strait Islander Health throughout the Bachelor of Nursing course" $10,000 | 2020 |
| Spinifex Rapid Review Grant | Food insecurity for regional and rural First Nations Peoples. $10,000 | 2020 |
| Date | Name | Awarding organisation | Underpinning research |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Fellowship | Australian College of Nursing | Reimagining the role of nursing education in emissions reduction |
| 2024 | Key speaker and panelist | Consumer Health Forum Australia | Preparedness of the primary healthcare nursing workforce to respond to the impacts of climate change on service delivery and patient outcomes. |
| 2024 | Key speaker: Embedding planetary health into nursing curriculum | Council of Deans, Nursing and Midwifery | |
| 2024 | Key speaker/panelist: Leaders and careers in Global Health | Australian Medical Association | |
| 2024 | Expert witness Senate hearing - climate change amendment bill, Duty of care and intergenerational climate equity | Senate Hearing: Australian Government | |
| 2023 | Key speaker: Aged Care Symposium | University of Sunshine Coast | |
| 2022 | Key speaker: Integrating climate health into the nursing curriculum | University of Canberra | |
| 2022 | Key speaker: The role of nurses in leading cultural reform in emissions reduction in healthcare’ | Western Australia Health Symposium | |
| 2022 | Abstract acceptance and presentation at National Nursing Forum | Australian College of Nursing | |
| 2022 | Key speaker: Nursing leadership in emissions reduction | Queensland Healthcare Week | |
| 2021 | Key speaker: Self care for nurses | Gertrude Berger Oration & Symposium, Australian College of Nursing | |
| 2021 | Moderator: The role of national dietary guidelines in attaining a healthy and sustainable food system | United Nations | |
| 2020 | Key Speaker - Race for adaptation and reslience WHO | World Health Organisation | |
| 2017 | Abstract acceptance and presentation: Barriers and enablers to community-based food systems | International Food Studies Conference |
| Item reviewed | Year |
|---|---|
| Journal of Social Indicators | 2020 |
| Journal of Social Indicators | 2021 |
| Teaching and Learning in Nursing | 2022 |
| Teaching and Learning in Nursing | 2021 |
| Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing | 2023 |
| Bentham Current Womens health review | 2023 |