Join us for the 50th anniversary Talking Research special as paramedic scholars Professor Bill Lord, A/Professor Louise Reynolds and Professor Peter O’Meara take us on a spellbinding journey through the progress of paramedic research over the past five decades. As leaders of this emerging field, they will explore how research has evolved, current challenges, and what the future holds for the profession. This will be followed by a discussion/Q&A session with the opportunity to engage with the researchers who are forging an evidence base for paramedic practice.

Hosted by: Dr Scott Devenish

Presented by: Dr Peter O'Meara, Dr Bill Lord & Dr Louise Reynolds

Biographies

Dr Peter O’Meara

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

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

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.