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  • Lisa Holmes and our wellness dogs

    Lisa, Waton and Edi, our 'wellness dogs'

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Dr Lisa Holmes

Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 2456
Email: l.holmes@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO21.533  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3129-995X

Lisa is the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the School of Medical and Health Sciences.  She is also a researcher in the areas of education, training, mental health and wellbeing.

Background

Associate Professor Lisa Holmes is an accomplished educator with extensive experience in tertiary and workplace environments, delivering diverse curricula across multiple disciplines and audiences. As the current Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning in the School of Medical and Health Sciences, she leads the development, implementation, and quality assurance of all teaching and learning activities across the school.

Prior to her current role, Lisa led tertiary teacher training at a major Registered Training Organisation (RTO), where she developed innovative curriculum and teaching practices for various educational settings. She also served as a Senior Consultant in Education and Training Excellence for both UK and International divisions of City & Guilds, where she was responsible for quality assurance, accreditation, and curriculum development and review of RTOs.

Passionate about staff and student wellbeing, Lisa pursued her PhD and subsequent research in this critical area. Her contributions include publishing guidelines for embedding mental health and wellbeing across accredited undergraduate courses. She has also designed and delivered programs enabling both students and staff to develop effective strategies for maintaining personal and team wellbeing and growth.

In an innovative approach to fostering a supportive learning environment, Lisa introduced two wellness dogs (Watson & Edi) to help reduce stress levels among staff and students while building a stronger sense of community. This initiative exemplifies her commitment to creating holistic educational environments that prioritise both academic excellence and personal wellbeing.

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

Suicide Prevention Australia annual LiFE Award in the Emerging / Early Career Researcher category – Finalist

The LiFE Awards – hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia – are a prestigious national event celebrating suicide prevention excellence. Nominees typically range from mainstream programs to local grass roots organisations and dedicated individuals  The Awards celebrate the commitment and energy of the nominees and their vital contribution to the reduction of suicide within our communities.

Research Areas and Interests

Lisa has research interests in education, training, student preparation for the workplace and mental health & wellbeing.  Lisa has also been investigating the impact the wellness dogs 'Watson & Edi' have on student and staff wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Edith Cowan University, 2018.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Education and Training, United Kingdom, 2006.

Research Outputs

2023

Journal Articles

  • Smith, E., Pooley, JA., Holmes, L., Gebbie, K., Gershon, R. (2023). Vicarious Trauma: Exploring the Experiences of Qualitative Researchers Who Study Traumatized Populations. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 17(1), article number e69. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2021.333.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Smith, E., Holmes, L., Larkin, B., Mills, B., Dobson, M. (2022). Supporting Volunteer Firefighter Well-Being: Lessons from the Australian "Black Summer" Bushfires. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 37(2), 273-276. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X22000322.

Reports

  • Boylan, J., Goodman, H., Karthigesu, S., Holmes, L., Dickson, J., Cattani, M., Coall, D. (2022). TCS@HOME PILOT PROGRAM: A qualitative exploration of the high attrition rate experienced in the pretest/post-test control study. Joondalup. Edith Cowan Univeristy.
  • Boylan, J., Goodman, H., Karthigesu, S., Holmes, L., Dickson, J., Cattani, M., Coall, D. (2022). TCS@HOME PILOT PROGRAM The psychological safety of volunteering from home as a Lifeline WA telephone crisis supporter. Joondalup. Edith Cowan Univeristy.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Smith, E., Dean, G., Holmes, L. (2021). Supporting the mental health and well-being of first responders from career to retirement: A scoping review. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 36(4), 475-480. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1049023x21000431.
  • Smith, E., Holmes, L., Larkin, B. (2021). Health trends among 9/11 responders from 2011-2021: A review of World Trade Center Health Program statistics. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 36(5), 621 - 626. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X21000881.
  • Hill, M., Mills, B., Rogers, S., Vance, L., Dykstra, P., Holmes, L. (2021). ‘Watson’ the wellness dog: Impact of a wellness dog on emotional wellbeing in undergraduate paramedicine students. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 18(Mar 2021), 7p.. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.943.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Holmes, L., Ciccone, N., Brightwell, R., Cohen, L. (2020). Preparing student paramedics for the mental health challenges of the profession by using the wisdom of the experienced. Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning, 3(2), 39-53. https://doi.org/10.33966/hepj.3.2.14131.
  • Mackinnon, K., Everett, T., Holmes, L., Smith, E., Mills, B. (2020). Risk of psychological distress, pervasiveness of stigma and utilisation of support services: Exploring paramedic perceptions. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 17(January 2020), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.17.764.
  • Rankin, T., Holmes, L., Vance, L., Crehan, T., Mills, B. (2020). Recent high school graduates support mandatory cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in Australian high schools. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 44(3), 215-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12990.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Smith, E., Holmes, L., Burkle, FM. (2019). The Physical and Mental Health Challenges Experienced by 9/11 First Responders and Recovery Workers: A Review of the Literature. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 34(6), 625-631. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X19004989.
  • Smith, E., Holmes, L., Burkle, FM. (2019). Exploring the Physical and Mental Health Challenges Associated with Emergency Service Call-Taking and Dispatching: A Review of the Literature. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 34(6), 619-624. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X19004990.
  • Lewis, A., Kirkman, A., Holmes, L. (2019). Wellness in Allied Health students: the case for change. Health Education in Practice Journal for Research and Professional Learning, 2(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.33966/hepj.2.1.13447.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Andrews, T., Price, L., Mills, B., Holmes, L. (2018). Young adults’ perception of mandatory CPR training in Australian high schools: A qualitative investigation. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 15(2), article no.3. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/4453.

2017

Journal Articles

  • Holmes, L., Jones, R., Brightwell, R., Cohen, L. (2017). Student paramedic anticipation, confidence and fears: Do undergraduate courses prepare student paramedics for the mental health challenges of the profession?. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 14(4), Article 3.

Research Projects

  • Development and evaluation of a novel gamified education package enhancing pandemic preparedness for frontline healthcare response staff and students, Department of Health WA, Future Health Research and Innovation FHRI Focus Grants: COVID-19, 2021 ‑ 2024, $224,446.
  • Telephone Crisis Supporter @ Home Evaluation with Lifeline WA, Lifeline WA, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2023, $75,885.
  • Resourceful Minds Pilot Evaluation with Lifeline WA, Lifeline WA, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2022, $97,369.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Operational preparedness for medical management of major incidents: A comparison of traditional and digital mass casualty training modalities for out of hospital responders.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Australian LGBTIQA+ paramedics' experiences of the workplace when responding to disasters: A mixed methods study

Completed Supervisions

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Medical Science), The Impact of Non-Governmental Organisation Disaster Response on Local Communities: Perspectives of Responders
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Ambulance Workplace Stressors: The Health Impacts on our Ambulance Personnel
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