Welcome to Kerbside Conversations – the College’s podcast capturing authentic voices and stories from across the world of paramedicine.

In this conversation, James Oswald, a paramedic and clinical guidelines specialist at Ambulance Victoria, discusses the role of clinical practice guidelines in healthcare. He emphasizes the importance of understanding these guidelines as tools for informed decision-making. The conversation explores the evolution of clinical guidelines, the significance of escalation of care, and the development of multi-variable risk assessment tools. James also shares insights on how aspiring paramedics can get involved in guideline development. 

Welcome to Kerbside Conversations – the College’s podcast capturing authentic voices and stories from across the world of paramedicine.

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Roder, a MICA Flight Paramedic, educator, and leader with more than 34 years of experience in the profession. Nick shares his reflections on the future of paramedicine and why, despite the challenges, he believes the next generation is stepping into a bright and promising profession.

From the importance of trust, connection, and giving more of yourself in patient care, to the value of mentorship in shaping a career, Nick offers wisdom and encouragement for clinicians at every stage of their journey. He speaks candidly about how a mentor shaped his professional growth, and how that relationship evolved over time, reminding us that so much of our job is really about relationships.

Of course, no conversation with Nick would be complete without diving into his passion for all things airway and mechanical ventilation. He shares insights into his favourite airway intervention, why it stands out, and what it has taught him about clinical practice.

Whether you’re a student, a seasoned clinician, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with perspective, advice, and reminders of why staying connected to patients, colleagues, and each other.

Farren McGregor-Smyth (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Te Rarawa): Honours Student - Experiences of Māori paramedic students 

Welcome to the first episode of our next Talking Research series, Chapters of a Research Journey, where we explore the diverse pathways paramedics take as they embark on their research careers. 

In this episode, host Derek Collings-Hughes sits down with Farren McGregor-Smyth to discuss her honours project examining the experiences of Māori paramedic students in Aotearoa New Zealand. Farren shares how she found her way into research, what inspired her to choose this important topic, and the highs and lows of the journey. Her story reflects a strong commitment to using research as a driver for systemic change and improved outcomes for Māori communities.

The series will conclude with a special panel discussion featuring all our guest researchers, answering key questions from Talking Research listeners.

Submit your questions for Farren here.

Presented by:

Farren McGregor (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Te Rarawa)

• Honours Graduate, Auckland University of Technology
• Medical Student at the University of Auckland
• Chairperson and Co-Founder for Aotearoa New Zealand Student Paramedics Association
• Chairperson for the Australasian College of Paramedicine Aotearoa New Zealand Committee

Hosted by:

Derek Collings-Hughes, Discipline Lead, Paramedicine, Curtin University

Welcome to Kerbside Conversations with Laura Hirello – the College's newest podcast bringing you unfiltered voices from the frontline of paramedicine.

From events, summits, and conferences, Laura captures candid moments and real stories from paramedics and healthcare professionals across the sector. Expect hot takes, raw insights, and the occasional laugh, all shared straight from the heart of the action.

 Kicking off the series, Laura sits down with Intensive Care Flight Paramedic Lucy Oatley at the College’s Critical Care Summit 2025. From high-acuity care and thriving in critical settings to Lucy’s favourite airway intervention, this candid conversation is packed with insight, experience, and a few unexpected moments. 

In the final episode of the Talking Research series, Women in Paramedicine, host Laura Hirello is joined by returning guests Lisa Hobbs, Alisha MacFarlane, and Judy Sheehan for a reflective group discussion. 

Together, they explore the inspirations behind their research and examine how identity - personal, professional, and cultural - is both shaped and challenged within paramedicine. The conversation delves into the evolving role of gender across education, practice, leadership, and academia, and how their work has influenced their own professional identities. 

Looking to the future, they share what gives them hope for the next generation of women in paramedicine, and the broader impact they hope their research will have across healthcare and education.

Presented by:

Lisa Hobbs, PhD Student, Senior Lecturer & Placement Experience Coordinator, ACU

Alisha McFarlane, PhD Student, Monash University; Member Engagement Manager, Australasian College of Paramedicine; Lecturer in Paramedicine, Charles Sturt University

Judy Sheahan, PhD Student and Lecturer in Post-Graduate Critical Care Paramedicine, Edith Cowan University.

Hosted by: 

Laura Hirello, PhD Student, Monash University.

Judy Sheahan - Professional Identity Transformation in Paramedicine

In the third episode of our Talking Research, Women in Paramedicine series, the College is delighted to welcome Judy Sheahan, to discuss her qualitative research on paramedic professional identity transformation.

In this episode, PhD student and College Research Advisory Committee member, Laura Hirello, sits down with Judy to discuss her in-depth exploration of professional identity transformation experienced by paramedics who transition from clinical practice into academic roles. 

Watch the vid-cast on the College’s YouTube channel here.

The series will conclude with a special panel discussion, bringing all our speakers together to answer key questions from our Talking Research listeners.

Submit your questions for Judy here.

Presented by:

Judy Sheahan, PhD Student and Lecturer in Post-Graduate Critical Care Paramedicine, Edith Cowan University.

Hosted by:

Laura Hirello, PhD Student, Monash University.

Alisha McFarlane: Gender Equity in Paramedicine

In the second episode of our Talking Research, Women in Paramedicine series, the College is delighted to welcome its very own Member Engagement Manager, Alisha McFarlane, to discuss her research on gender equity in paramedicine.

Do you know the difference between equity and equality? In this episode, PhD student and College Research Advisory Committee member, Laura Hirello, sits down with Alisha to discuss how these concepts apply to paramedicine, exploring the realities of gender equality in the profession, and the steps needed to foster a more inclusive workforce. Watch the vid-cast on the College’s YouTube channel here.

The series will conclude with a special panel discussion, bringing all our speakers together to answer key questions from our Talking Research listeners.

Submit your questions for Alisha here.

Presented by:

Alisha McFarlane, PhD Student, Monash University; Member Engagement Manager, Australasian College of Paramedicine; Lecturer in Paramedicine, Charles Sturt University

Hosted by:

Laura Hirello, PhD Student, Monash University

Lisa Hobbs: Creative Arts-Based Research

The College is thrilled to welcome Lisa Hobbs to the newly revamped Talking Research podcast!

To start the year, our first theme, Women in Paramedicine, celebrates International Women's Day by exploring gender equality in the paramedic profession. Throughout the series, our guests will share insights from their research, shedding light on workplace challenges and advancements.

In this episode, College Research Advisory Committee members, Laura Hirello and Derek Collings-Hughes, sit down with Lisa Hobbs to discuss her innovative creative arts-based research in paramedicine. View the vid-cast on the College's YouTube channel here.

The series will conclude with a special panel discussion, bringing all our speakers together to answer key questions from our Talking Research listeners.

Submit your questions for Lisa here.

Presented by:

Lisa Hobbs, PhD Student, Senior Lecturer & Placement Experience Coordinator, ACU

Hosted by:

Derek Collings-Hughes, Discipline Lead, Paramedicine, Curtin University

Laura Hirello, PhD Student, Monash University

Co-hosted by Dr Verity Todd and Derek Collings-Hughes, the final instalment of the Talking Research webinar series for 2024 offered valuable insights into conducting clinical trials in the dynamic and evolving field of paramedicine. Our guests, Lucas Litewka and Dr Ziad Nehme, shared valuable strategies when designing and implementing clinical trials, highlighting their potential to expand research participation, inform clinical practice, and enhance patient outcomes. 

Click here to access the online webinar recording and presenter slides.

Presented by:
Lucas Litewka: Director - Clinical Trials, University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Ziad Nehme: Director - Centre for Research and Evaluation, Ambulance Victoria

Moderated by:
Dr Verity Todd, Senior Lecturer - Paramedicine, Auckland University of Technology
Derek Collings-Hughes, Discipline Lead - Paramedicine, Curtin University

Host, Dr Verity Todd, presented the August 2024 instalment of the Talking Research webinar series, where paramedicine academics shared their experiences and strategies for overcoming research challenges.

This session explored the often-undiscussed obstacles faced on the path to sustaining a research career. Our guests, Professor Belinda Flanagan, A/Professor Ben Meadley, and Dr Louise Reynolds revealed how they navigated unforeseen hurdles and adapted to overcome them.

Click here to access the online webinar recording and presenter slides.

Presented by:

• Professor Belinda Flanagan: Associate Dean and Head of School, Paramedicine, University of Tasmania
• Associate Ben Meadley: Director of Paramedicine, Ambulance Victoria and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Paramedicine, Monash University
• Dr Louise Reynolds: Chief Paramedic Officer, Safer Care Victoria and Associate Professor, Department of Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University

Moderated by: Dr Verity Todd, Senior Lecturer, Paramedicine Department, Auckland University of Technology