Associate Professor Craig Lockwood

Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing (1999)
Master of Nursing Science (Medicine) 2001
PhD Nursing 2012

Associate Professor Craig Lockwood is a PhD qualified Registered Nurse, a staff member at the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide, and Adjunct Associate Professor at Queen's School of Nursing, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He has supported over 30 higher degree by research students to completion as postgraduate coordinator. 

Craig is Deputy Director of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) of Implementation Science since 2002.

To balance his busy professional life, Craig enjoys getting outside. "I found the outdoors is a great way to refresh and recharge... taking photos of nature expressing itself through the seasons. Walking with friends, or family and pets – it’s all charge for the batteries and opportunity for inspiration!"

The following answers are in Craig's own words, in response to questions from our Alumni team...

"Since graduating, I have supported over 30 research students through to completion and each student’s growth is part of the value I experience in being an Adelaide academic."

What do you remember from your University days?

• I once got ‘lost’ in the basement of the Barr Smith Library and hope it’s not just me that found it a crazy place to navigate back in the day when Card Indexes were a thing!
• Learning public speaking through experience was both immensely challenging, and personally rewarding!
• PhD small-group meetings where we students talked together about the problems and uncertainties of our research programs – those shared ideas and solutions were an amazing experience.
• Working with highly respected global leaders in their fields, and realizing they were interested in the work I was doing was memorable!
• I was always inspired by my first Prof, whose passion and belief in nursing as a profession was unshakable. Alan Pearson AM, who established an amazing legacy of JBI, where it was about willingness to invest oneself.

PhD and research schools were always a highlight, I knew very little at the start of my studies, but enjoyed being with other students, and staff who generously shared their knowledge and experience. Each research school felt like it was building value into my own career. Adelaide School of Nursing continues to be a place for amazing growth and opportunity to build a professional portfolio while doing what you love or learning something completely new.

The PhD was my favourite degree, yet the prior degree study was foundational to learning academic standards and getting used to university life and learning. I had an interest in systematic review method and methodology, and my professor at the time (Professor Alan Pearson AM) encouraged me to follow that interest.

What are some highlights of your career so far?

My most valued career highlight is to work with the JBI team and to bring a ‘nurse-lens’ to evidence-based healthcare. I do this by leading and facilitating organisational and professional practice change using sustainable evidence-based frameworks developed in partnership with my JBI colleagues! Having a dynamic team of people get around a core mission and vision has been the backbone of my career and is an approach I thoroughly recommend!

"Nursing is a diverse and amazing profession, with opportunity to create impact whether clinically, academically or in many surprising fields such as becoming an author and editor!"

Saying ‘Yes’ had led to opportunities to chair international committees, to lead governance and strategy for the Cochrane Collaboration and Guidelines International Network. 

I am privileged to be editor in chief of three high quality, international, peer reviewed journals. 

I contribute to methods-based guidance for systematic reviews and for implementation – both are vital to the practice and profession of nursing.

Not everyone gets to travel for work, but I have travelled to every habited continent multiple time, to speak at events, conferences, to participate in research and collaborate on international programs and projects.

Seeing people grow professionally in an area of knowledge so that they become the next lead, or the recognized speaker in a field, and encouraging those interests.

What's in store for the next few years?

I will spend more time on research over the next 5 years, especially competitive funding opportunities and international grant opportunities. My motivation is that these are contributions that will strategically strengthen and position JBI for the future as a recognized global leader not only in EBHC but in Implementation Science.

Do you have any advice to current students?

Many students get a degree, then leave University with very little idea on how a School or Faculty functions. A few students also gain an understanding of academic life. Be this second type of student; it opens a range of career pathways and experiences that enrich and reward you with diverse skills, knowledge! Secondly – it’s never too late to do a degree or simply engage with the Adelaide Nursing School staff.