Talking Research : 50 Years of Paramedicine Research

Dr O’Meara was one of the first paramedics in the world to complete a doctoral qualification and since then has completed a wide range of research projects and published extensively. Peter’s research has contributed to the emergence of paramedicine as a health profession in Australia and other parts of the world. He continues to supervise graduate research students at three universities and is working on several paramedic-related research projects. In addition, he is a Director of the Global Higher Paramedic Education Council, a senior member of the Paramedic Network in the United States, as well as being involved with paramedic related institutions throughout the world.

Dr Bill Lord is a registered paramedic who has worked as a paramedic in Sydney, Melbourne, and Queensland until 2018. He has worked in higher education for 25 years including as a Senior Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Head of Undergraduate Paramedic Programs at Monash University, and more recently as Associate Professor and Discipline Leader for Paramedic Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Bill currently has an adjunct Associate Professor position at Monash University, is deputy co-chair of the Paramedicine Accreditation Committee, and holds a position on the Board of Directors of the Australasian College of Paramedicine.

Dr Louise Reynolds began her pre-hospital career as a student paramedic with the South Australia Ambulance Service in 1992, where for the next 10 years she held various operational and non-operational roles before moving into higher education in 2003 at Flinders University. Louise was Australia’s first female paramedic to attain doctoral qualifications, with her thesis describing the emerging professionalism of pre-hospital care practice. She has taught paramedicine at vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate levels across Australia and the UK. Her research expertise draws on a variety of interests using qualitative methodologies in paramedicine education, systems and leadership. In April 2023, she became Victoria's second Chief Paramedic Officer, making her the most senior female paramedic in Australia.

Scott is a Registered Nurse, Registered Paramedic and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine and the UK Higher Education Academy. Scott has actively contributed to the Paramedicine profession through high quality teaching, academic leadership, peer-reviewed publications, the supervision of research higher degree candidates and being a research mentor for the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Scott has a keen interest in international collaboration and providing innovative overseas opportunities for paramedic students. His love for international engagement was born out of his PhD which investigated the professional socialisation of paramedics in Australia and the United Kingdom. His PhD led to an interest in the portability of Australian paramedic qualifications overseas. Scott leads a team of highly qualified and dedicated academics ensuring ACU paramedic programs of study meet the needs of the constantly evolving Paramedicine profession to produce future outstanding clinicians, researchers, and leaders.