The University of New England is celebrating the remarkable achievements of its Medicine and Health Faculty Executive Dean, Distinguished Professor Kim Usher, who has been recognised as one of the top nursing scholars in the world. This prestigious recognition highlights Professor Usher’s significant contributions to nursing research and education, which have shaped policies and practices both nationally and internationally.
“I was humbled by the announcement as I had no idea I would be rated so highly in the world and Australia,” Professor Usher said.
With a research portfolio spanning critical areas such as COVID-19, disasters, mental health, patient safety, nurse education, and domestic violence, Professor Usher’s work has had a profound impact on the global nursing community. Her widely cited studies, particularly those conducted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, have influenced policy documents and advanced understanding in these fields.
Kim has been ranked #4 in the world in the field of allied health and discipline of nursing by Scholar GPS, an academic ranking organisation. ScholarGPS identifies top scholars worldwide based on the quality, productivity, and impact of their research - measured through publications, citations, and other metrics.
“My research has been a passion for a long time. I am committed to research that makes a difference to health outcomes and the health workforce,” she explained. “To ensure my focus is correct, I work closely with partners and partner organisations and supervise HDR students who come directly from the practice arena.”
I am committed to research that makes a difference to health outcomes and the health workforce.
Professor Usher’s dedication to fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals is evident in her mentorship of academics and clinicians across disciplines. “At least ten of the HDR students I supervised and mentored afterwards have been promoted to full professors, including four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said. “Many others have taken on leading roles in healthcare, government, and education.”
Image: Kim and Team receiving award for new culturally responsive stroke recovery model 'Yarning up After Stroke'.
Her work has also driven tangible improvements in patient care and nursing education. Projects on patient safety and the physical health side effects of medications used to treat mental illness have led to changes in practice and policy. “The outcomes of those studies have been adopted in policy and have led to further research in the area,” she noted.
As a leader in nursing research, Professor Usher emphasises the importance of addressing emerging challenges such as mental health and domestic violence, particularly in rural and remote areas.
“Mental health issues have continued to remain high since the pandemic, and the need for mental health support continues to grow,” she said. “As nurse academics, we have a very important role to ensure our students are aware of these issues and that they are adequately addressed in nursing curricula.”
As nurse academics, we have a very important role to ensure our students are aware of these issues and that they are adequately addressed in nursing curricula.
However, Professor Usher also notes collaboration has been a cornerstone of her success. “To attract external funding, we need strong teams of people with good track records in the area of study. This usually requires external as well as internal collaboration.”
Looking ahead, Professor Usher remains focused on advancing nursing education and research. “I am especially interested in the ways we can enhance clinical placements and clinical simulation,” she says.
Professor Usher’s recognition as a leading scholar underscores the strength of UNE’s Faculty of Medicine and Health in driving research excellence and innovation. Her achievements inspire students and early-career researchers to aim high and pursue impactful careers in nursing and healthcare.
