This research examines nutrition and hydration challenges after ileostomy surgery. Interviews and surveys reveal widespread fear, confusion, and poor hydration knowledge due to inconsistent advice. By developing evidence-based dietary guidance, this work aims to reduce complications, improve quality of life, and help ileostomates eat and drink with confidence.

This research examines how “sitting is the new smoking” headlines affect people with spinal cord injury. Interviews revealed these messages are harmful and exclusionary. Reframing sedentary behavior as low energy expenditure, rather than sitting itself, improves understanding. The work promotes inclusive, evidence-based public health communication.

This research argues that Black teacher recruitment must start in kindergarten, not in adulthood. Because Black children rarely see Black teachers and often have negative school experiences, they decide early that teaching is “not for them.” Effective pipelines must center Black students’ voices and reshape school experiences, not rely on financial incentives.

Police are increasingly the first responders to mental-distress calls despite minimal mental-health training. Through ride-alongs, interviews and analysis, the research shows people in crisis often receive coercive, criminal-justice responses instead of care. The work calls for major investment in mental-health services and redesigned systems to ensure appropriate, compassionate support.

Older adults with severe joint pain often consider cannabis, yet receive little guidance from physicians who lack reliable evidence. This silence pushes patients toward unregulated products and poor medical decisions. The research develops a user-friendly cannabis decision-support tool to empower patients, support clinicians, and enable informed, safe conversations about cannabis use.

This thesis explores how whiteness operates as an invisible cultural norm in Australia by analysing Aboriginal accounts of exclusion and marginalisation. Through creative and critical methods, the research reveals how white cultural dominance shapes social life and highlights the need for awareness, debate, and structural change to build a more equitable nation.

This research explores masking, unmasking, and disclosure among autistic individuals. Through interviews and surveys, the study shows masking is exhausting and harmful, while unmasking and disclosure can reduce stress and foster authenticity—but only in supportive environments. Findings highlight the need for societal change to genuinely accept autistic people and their differences.

My research examines how OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) role-play simulations help prepare nurse-practitioner students for real-world primary care. Interviews with recent graduates show role plays build confidence, teach communication and clinical routines, and improve readiness for complex cases. Following best-practice guidelines enhances learning. Expanding these simulations could strengthen primary care, especially in underserved rural areas.

My research investigates how families manage temporary feeding tubes at home. Using journey mapping with 30 families, it reveals overwhelming routines, safety fears, isolation, and lack of support. The findings expose major gaps in healthcare communication and training, highlighting the urgent need for better systems to help families thrive beyond “plan, prep, feed, clean, repeat.”

Electricity access doesn’t always translate into real development benefits. In Timor-Leste, “100% access” still leaves hospitals dark at night. A review of global evidence shows that over a third of electrification outcomes are neutral or negative. This research explores barriers that limit electricity’s impact to inform better policy and community support.