The Australasian College of Paramedicine

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

Join A/Prof Paul Simpson, A/Prof Ian Blanchard and Dr Fiona Sampson in this episode of the Talking Research podcast, as they delve into the significance of unified research agendas. They explore the research directions and priorities identified within paramedicine in Australasia, Canada, and the UK, and discuss the transformative impact these agendas have had on their research outcomes. This podcast is an absolute must for anyone invested in the future of paramedicine research and its impact on patient-centred care.

Presented by: A/Prof Paul Simpson, A/Professor Ian Blanchard, Dr Fiona Sampson, Executive Director Jan Jensen and Dr Caitlin Wilson

Facilitated by: Dr Scott Devenish, Associate Professor and Discipline Lead, Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University

Join us as we shed light on the critical issue of ‘placement poverty’ faced by paramedic students. These mandatory clinical placements, lasting up to 18 weeks, often take place far from home. As students grapple with accommodation costs, job commitments, and family responsibilities, financial strain becomes overwhelming. We’ll hear personal experiences, discuss disparities in support, and explore solutions. Expert guests include Professor Scott Devenish, Australian Catholic University and Chair of the Australasian College of Paramedicine Deans, emergency paramedic and PhD candidate Matt Wilkinson-Stokes, and Cameron Powers from the National Rural Health Student Network. Tune in for this powerful and enlightening episode.

Credits:
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/nick-petrov/diving-in-the-sky    
License code: 3U3MZPP0RFJHPAQW

The first Talking Research webinar of 2024 delved into the art of securing grant funding to support your paramedicine research endeavours. Presented by speakers from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Sweden, this session provides valuable insights into navigating the grant writing journey. Gain expert advice on selecting the right grants, overcoming setbacks, exploring various grant options, and essential tips tailored for paramedicine researchers venturing into the world of grant writing. Following the presentations, presenters joined a panel discussion and took questions from the audience.

Presented by:

• Associate Professor Anders Bremer (Linnaeus University, Sweden)
• Dr Wayne Loudon (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
• Associate Professor Bridget Dicker (Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand)

Moderated by: Dr Scott Devenish, Associate Professor and Discipline Lead, Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University