Central Queensland University could become Australia’s premier health care educator, according to the University’s new Professor of Contemporary Nursing, William Lauder.

Professor Lauder joined the University’s School of Nursing and Health Studies at the beginning of September and has since discovered the University’s potential to make an impact on clinical nursing.

“I think the University, with some infrastructure investment, and in close collaboration with health care services, has the potential to be one of Australia’s premier academic clinical nursing departments in the areas of public health, critical care, psychosocial health and history of health care research,” explained Professor Lauder.

Professor Lauder’s role at CQU is primarily research based with the development of postgraduate research in the nursing discipline a priority. He is focusing on the promotion of clinical research, and as well as linking collaboratively with other researchers within the University, it is his intention to forge links with the local community, industry and professional groups. Collaborative opportunities will be explored with other universities nationally and internationally, with particular interest in North America, United Kingdom And Scandinavia.

Professor Lauder believes academic research needs to be informed by the needs of patients and practising nurses to be successful.

“Nurse academics must leave the ‘ivory tower’ and work with nurses on the ground with the development and testing of new models of nursing practice.

“The University’s culture is one in which innovation is nurtured and in which there is enormous potential for collaborative research involving academics from a diverse range of disciplines. This is seldom the case in older city universities where the academic tribes jealously protect their own interests.

Having joined the University last month, Professor Lauder is enjoying the warmth of Central Queensland following work with the University of Stirling in Scotland.

Professor Lauder joined the National Health Service in Scotland in 1976 as a student nurse studying at the Lanarkshire College of Nursing & Midwifery. After qualifying, he worked in a range of hospital and community settings in England and Scotland developing areas of speciality in alcohol abuse and mental illness.

His teaching career began in 1987 as a clinical teacher for the Highland Health Board. He then joined the lecturing staff of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Stirling occupying positions as lecturer, senior lecturer and Associate Head of Department.