Born the same year that Griffith University was founded, it is more than a little fitting that Professor of Nursing Dr Claire Rickard’s research successes have been achieved in tandem with the growth of the University’s reputation as an academic institution of global influence.
In the latest QS World Ranking Top 50 Under 50 (published today, November 24), Griffith has moved up to number 37.
The news, with a suitable sense of timing, comes in the wake of the latest round of NHMRC funding which saw Professor Rickard secure a $1.1 million grant in early November.
“Griffith University is a first-class young university and has provided the ideal environment for me to pursue a rewarding career in research, a career that was triggered by my frustrations as a clinical nurse, seeing so many patients suffer the pain and complications associated with intravenous catheters,” Professor Rickard said.
Recognised as a world-leading researcher in her field, Professor Rickard is based at Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) in Brisbane, working closely with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s, Princess Alexandra, Prince Charles, and Lady Cilento Children’s Hospitals.
“Griffith has been innovative in its support of us as a non-traditional researcher group, to work in a dynamic way alongside the clinical nurses and the health system.”
She is Principal Director of the Griffith-based Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research, the largest research group in the world investigating vascular access improvements (avatargroup.org.au).
In October this year, she was made a Fellow of the prestigious Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, one of only two nurses recognised nationally.
Her research has heralded significant change for patient comfort and health care cost savings, and the latest NHMRC funding will be used to focus on how better dressing and securement of catheters can improve the experience for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and blood transfusions.
Griffith continues its move up the rankings in the latest QS Top 50 Universities Under 50, rising to 37 from 38.
The rankings recognise universities making an impact at international level in a relatively short space of time, having rapidly established strong global reputations, research clout and internationally diverse academic communities.
Griffith University celebrated its 40th birthday in 2015, having taken its first 400 students in 1975.