New nursing head has distinguished career

Wednesday, 15 January 2003

The University of Adelaide has received a significant boost with the appointment of Professor Alison Tierney as Head of the Department of Clinical Nursing.

Professor Tierney has joined the University of Adelaide from the University of Edinburgh where she was Professor of Nursing Research and Head of the Department of Nursing Studies. Besides her impressive academic career, she was recently awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to nursing research and education in the UK.

She will also be Director of the South Australian Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute that was set up by the Department's founding Professor with the Royal Adelaide Hospital to spearhead evidence- based practice and research in nursing and midwifery.

Professor Tierney said two visits to Adelaide as Visiting Professor in recent years had captured her interest in the Department of Clinical Nursing.

"On both occasions, I found it stimulating to be working with staff and students who are highly motivated and highly able, and the Department's commitment to clinically-focused education and research through its relationship with the Royal Adelaide Hospital is a particular attraction," she said.

Professor Tierney said great headway has been made in nursing research over the past 10 years. "But there is still much scope to increase nursing research capacity and productivity," she said.

"I certainly hope that I can help to channel the energies and expertise of the staff in ways that will further increase the Department's research productivity and its impact on nursing and healthcare issues."

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