Rate My Professor Helena Ward

Helena Ward is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Adelaide University, with expertise in health professional education and a foundational background in microbiology. She earned her Bachelor of Science (1979–1981), BSc (Honours) (1982), and PhD in Microbiology (1984–1988) from the University of Adelaide. Her early career included postdoctoral research positions such as NH&MRC Research Officer at the University of Adelaide (1988–1990), MRC Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (1990–1992), Research Officer at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide (1992–1993 and 1994–1995), NH&MRC Research Officer at Flinders Medical Centre (1995–1997), Senior Research Associate at the Cooperative Research Centre for Tissue Growth and Repair, Flinders University (1997–1999), and Communications Manager there (1999–2001). Transitioning to academia, she served as Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology and Program Director of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of South Australia (2001–2008 and 2002–2006), Heaslip Fellow in Medical Education at Flinders University (2008–2012), Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Adelaide School of Medicine (2012–2022), Research Director at the Adelaide Health and Simulation Skills Centre, University of Adelaide School of Medicine (2015–2016), and holds ongoing adjunct senior lecturer roles at the University of South Australia (2013–present).

Ward specializes in interprofessional learning, where two or more professions learn with, from, and about each other to improve collaboration and care quality. Her research interests encompass outcomes-based curricula, interprofessional education, simulation-based education, social accountability, curriculum development, and assessment design in health professional and medical science programs, with a focus on embedding interprofessional learning in curricula and incorporating the patient voice. She has contributed to projects like developing an Interprofessional Capability Framework. Awards include the Distinguished Service Award from the Australian Society for Microbiology (2019), UniSA Excellence in Teaching Award (2007), and UniSA Quality Teaching and Supported Teacher Awards (2006). Key publications feature 'A systematic review of faculty development initiatives designed to enhance teaching effectiveness: A 10-year update: BEME Guide No. 40' (2016, Medical Teacher), 'Outcomes of longitudinal integrated clinical placements for students, clinicians and society' (2012, Medical Education), 'Palliative care in undergraduate medical education—how far have we come?' (2017, American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine), and works on interprofessional education during COVID-19 and OSCE assessments.