Health and Wellbeing
This research supports teaching by providing current, evidence-based insights and real examples that can be integrated into courses. Students benefit from understanding how research informs practice, particularly in clinical, community, and wellbeing settings. Strong links to industry and healthcare providers also ensure that learning is relevant and prepares graduates for professional roles.
Key areas include student learning experiences, workforce development, mental health, exercise science, and equity in healthcare. Much of the research is applied and connected to real-world health challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Bachelor of Nursing(external link)
Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Level 7(external link)
Nursing Research staff
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Dr Ange McLean Nursing Tutor
Angela McLean’s research focuses on student learning development in higher education, particularly students’ experiences of research, feedback, and the transformative nature of learning. Her work explores the challenges students face and how they engage with learning processes.
Angela uses this research to improve teaching by better understanding how students learn and how to support them during research and placements. Her collaborative projects provide insights into student experiences locally and internationally. This work helps enhance curriculum design and supports both student success and teaching practice.
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Jay Scott-Morris Sport and Exercise Tutor
Jay Scott-Morris’s research focuses on strength and conditioning within exercise science. He is currently undertaking postgraduate study, with a goal of completing a Master of Exercise Science and publishing research on strength and conditioning practices.
Jay uses this research to support teaching by updating and developing sport and exercise courses with current concepts and theories. His work helps ensure students are learning up-to-date practices relevant to the fitness industry. This strengthens the connection between study and professional practice in exercise science.
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Karen Blair Nursing Tutor
Karen Blair’s work draws on extensive clinical experience across hospital and community settings, including leadership roles in health services. While undertaking postgraduate study, she brings practical knowledge from her nursing career into her teaching.
Karen uses real-life clinical examples to help students connect theory to nursing practice. This supports learning by making content relatable and relevant to real healthcare settings. Her experience also strengthens links to industry by reflecting current professional practice.
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Leilana Wallace Academic Staff Member/Nursing Lecturer
Leilana Wallace’s research focuses on how Pasifika nurses who graduated from regional programmes experience their transition into professional practice. Her work explores preparedness, equity, and how education can better support Pasifika nursing students and graduates.
Leilana uses this research to improve teaching by supporting more culturally responsive approaches and strengthening student success during the transition to practice. Her work also contributes to industry by helping improve support systems for new nurses and promoting a more equitable workforce.
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Linzi Birmingham Head of Nursing
Linzi Birmingham’s research focuses on rural healthcare workforce development, particularly how training programmes can improve competency, equity, and sustainability in rural communities. Her work explores how education can better support healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
Linzi uses this research to inform teaching and curriculum development, particularly in designing training programmes for rural health professionals. Her work also contributes to industry by supporting improvements in rural healthcare services and workforce sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Ros Gendreau Nursing Tutor
Ros Gendreau’s research focuses on mental health and psychopharmacology, including the use of mushrooms and psilocybin in treating mental health conditions. She is undertaking Postgraduate study towards a Doctor of Health Sciences at the University of Canterbury. Her work explores both emerging clinical use and community practices in this area.
Rosalind uses this research to enhance teaching by providing current, evidence-based information in mental health and pharmacology courses. This supports students’ understanding of new and emerging treatments. Her research also connects to industry by contributing to discussions about future approaches to mental health care.
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Tamsin Fitzsimmons Tutor and Lecturer
Tamsin Fitzsimmons’s research focuses on pastoral care for nursing students, particularly in the context of increased online and remote learning. Her work explores how support systems for students are changing and how they can be improved.
Tamsin uses this research to inform teaching by reflecting on how student support can be adapted for different learning environments. This helps improve student wellbeing and engagement, particularly for those studying remotely. Her work also contributes to the ongoing development of nursing education practices.
