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Associate Professor

Debra Kerr

(She/Her)

Associate Professor

Faculty of Health/School of Nursing & Midwifery/Institute for Health Transformation

Orcid identifier0000-0002-2956-2432
  • Associate Professor
    Faculty of Health/School of Nursing & Midwifery/Institute for Health Transformation
  • +61 3 522 72501 (Work)
  • Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125

BIO

My research is focused on improving the quality of nurses' communication, particularly in hospital settings. In this context, more recent research has examined the role of interpersonal communication in occupational violence and aggression. My recent program of research has centred on communication skills training for nurses and bedside nursing handover.
I am a dedicated supervisor, offering timely and constructive feedback to enhance students' program of research. I have supervised 6 PhD, 6 Master and 8 BN (Hons) students to successful completion. I currently supervise 5 PhD students, 2 Master students, and 6 BN (Hons) students.
My extensive service on human research committees within health and academic organisations has provided me with expertise in preparation of human research ethics applications.

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY CURRENT APPOINTMENT

  • Associate Professor
    Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Associate Professor in Nursing - Western/Deakin Partnership
    Deakin University, Melbourne, Nursing and Midwifery, Geelong, Australia3 Jul 2023 - present
  • Associate Professor in Nursing
    Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Geelong, Australia21 Nov 2016 - 30 Jun 2023

DEGREES

  • Doctor of Philosophy
    Monash University
  • Master of Business Leadership
    Royal Melb Inst. of Technology
  • Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Education)
    Victoria University
  • Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Methods
    Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  • Bachelor of Nursing
    Royal Melb Inst. of Technology
  • Certificate of Nursing
    Royal Melbourne Hospital

FIELDS OF RESEARCH (2020)

  • Clinical sciences
  • Nursing
  • Midwifery
  • Public health
  • Health services and systems

AVAILABILITY FOR SUPERVISION

  • Masters by Research and PhD supervision

AREA/FACULTY

  • Faculty of Health

DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL/INSTITUTE

  • School of Nursing & Midwifery

STRATEGIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTRE

  • Institute for Health Transformation