People_

Dr Gillian Nisbet

PhD
Associate Professor and Director of Partnerships and Placements, Sydney School of Health Sciences
Dr Gillian Nisbet

I am incredibly passionate about understanding and improving health professional students’ learning while participating in workplace activities. As an Associate Professor, this has become the driving force behind my innovative research. I believe that students can be effectively integrated into service re-design to positively contribute to service delivery, patient outcomes, and most importantly, their own learning.

My research is focused on exploring this emerging field of research, extending my earlier research investigating the informal interprofessional learning opportunities within the workplace. I am constantly seeking out new and innovative ways that educators and students can utilise these opportunities in preparing our future workforce.

With over 45 publications and close to AUD$2.4 million in educational research and teaching scholarship funding, I am committed to making a real difference in the field of health professional education. I am driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, students, and educators alike.

In recognition of my commitment to teaching quality, in 2016 I received a University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence - Outstanding Educational Engagement and Innovationand in 2017 a team citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning through the Australian Awards for University Teaching.

In my current position as Director of Partnerships and Placements within the School of Health Sciences, I have oversight for academic supervision, mentoring and talent development of 14 academic staff along with developing strategically and mutually beneficial placement collaborations with partner organisations across public and private healthcare, non-government and corporate organisations. This role compliments my previous senior leadership roles within the School, including Academic Lead, and Director of Work Integrated Learning.

Prior to academia, I worked for 15 years as a clinical dietitian, igniting my interest in workplace learning. I firmly believe that by harnessing the power of workplace learning and utilizing the latest research, we can create a healthcare workforce that is better equipped to meet the challenges of the future. As an educator and researcher, there is nothing more fulfilling than knowing that my work is making a positive difference in the lives of others.

E-Health and Health Care Delivery
Project titleResearch student
How work readiness is understood and designed for in final practice education placements within the occupational therapy profession.Sarah MILES

Publications

Books

  • Nisbet, G., Lee, A., Kumar, K., Thistlethwaite, J., Dunston, R. (2011). Interprofessional Health Education: A Literature Review Overview of international and Australian developments in interprofessional health education (IPE). Sydney: University of Technology, Sydney.

Book Chapters

  • Bourne, E., Nisbet, G., Nicholson, M., Mok, I. (2021). Engaging Stakeholders to Improve Pedagogy in Allied Health Placement Preparation. In Jennifer C. Friberg, Colleen F. Visconti, Sarah M. Ginsberg (Eds.), Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom : Examples from Clinical Disciplines, (pp. 291-300). Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated.
  • Nisbet, G. (2016). Scrutinising our Assumptions of the Other Professions: Acknowledging and Supporting the Diversity Within. In Anne Croker, Joy Higgs, Franziska Trede (Eds.), Collaborating in Healthcare: Reinterpreting Therapeutic Relationships, (pp. 253-260). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers. [More Information]
  • Thistlethwaite, J., Nisbet, G., Ajjawi, R. (2010). Interprofessional fieldwork in practice. In Lindy McAllister, Margo Paterson, Joy Higgs, Christine Bithell (Eds.), Innovations in Allied Health Fieldwork Education: A Critical Appraisal, (pp. 215-224). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

Journals

  • Hamiduzzaman, M., McLennan, V., Nisbet, G., Jindal, S., Miles, S., Crook, S., Nelson, K., Williams, C., Flood, V. (2025). Impact of allied health student placements for older clients’ health and wellbeing in primary healthcare settings: a systematic integrative review. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 601. [More Information]
  • Dennis, S., Kwok, W., Alison, J., Hassett, L., Nisbet, G., Refshauge, K., Sherrington, C., Williams, A. (2024). How effective are allied health group interventions for the management of adults with long-term conditions? An umbrella review of systematic reviews and its applicability to the Australian primary health system. BMC Primary Care, 25(1). [More Information]
  • Roberts, C., Jorm, C., Nisbet, G., Gordon, C., Chen, T., Held, F., Haq, I. (2024). Video based peer assessment of collaborative teamwork in a large scale interprofessional learning activity. BMC Medical Education, 24(1).

Conferences

  • Pollard, N., Lincoln, M., Penman, M., Nisbet, G. (2016). An Investigation into patient experiences and perceptions of communication encounters with allied health practitioners. 17th OTTAWA Conference, Perth, Australia.
  • Pollard, N., Lincoln, M., Penman, M., Nisbet, G. (2016). An Investigation into patient experiences and perceptions of diagnostic radiographers' communication skills. 11th Annual Scientific Meeting of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Nisbet, G., McAllister, L. (2016). Evaluation of an interprofessional peer group mentoring program to improve the quality of student supervision on placement. Australia New Zealand Association of Health Professional Education (ANZAPHE) Conference, Perth, 19-23 March 2016.

Report

  • Nisbet, G., McAllister, L., Heydon, M. (2014). A Peer Group Mentoring Framework for the Development of Student Supervisors.

Research Reports

  • Dunston, R., Lee, A., Lee, A., Matthews, L., Nisbet, G., Pockett, R., Thistlethwaite, J., White, J. (2010). Interprofessional Health Education in Australia: Report of the Launch of the proposal The Way Forward, March 2010, (pp. 1 - 36). Sydney, Australia: University of Technology Sydney, The University of Sydney.
  • Bell, C., Dunston, R., Fitzgerald, T., Hawke, G., Lee, A., Lee, A., Matthews, L., Nisbet, G., Pockett, R., Slade, D., White, J., et al (2009). Interprofessional Health Education in Australia: The Way Forward, (pp. 7 - 33). Sydney, Australia: Australian Learning and Teaching Council.
  • Bell, C., Dunston, R., Fitzgerald, T., Hawke, G., Lee, A., Lee, A., Matthews, L., Nisbet, G., Pockett, R., Slade, D., White, J., et al (2008). Interprofessional health education in Australia: A proposal for future research and development, December 2008, (pp. 4 - 30). Sydney, Australia: L-TIPP, Centre for Research in Learning and Change.

2025

  • Hamiduzzaman, M., McLennan, V., Nisbet, G., Jindal, S., Miles, S., Crook, S., Nelson, K., Williams, C., Flood, V. (2025). Impact of allied health student placements for older clients’ health and wellbeing in primary healthcare settings: a systematic integrative review. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 601. [More Information]

2024

  • Dennis, S., Kwok, W., Alison, J., Hassett, L., Nisbet, G., Refshauge, K., Sherrington, C., Williams, A. (2024). How effective are allied health group interventions for the management of adults with long-term conditions? An umbrella review of systematic reviews and its applicability to the Australian primary health system. BMC Primary Care, 25(1). [More Information]
  • Roberts, C., Jorm, C., Nisbet, G., Gordon, C., Chen, T., Held, F., Haq, I. (2024). Video based peer assessment of collaborative teamwork in a large scale interprofessional learning activity. BMC Medical Education, 24(1).
  • Roberts, C., Jorm, C., Nisbet, G., Gordon, C., Chen, T., Held, F., Haq, I. (2024). Video-based peer assessment of collaborative teamwork in a large-scale interprofessional learning activity. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 1307. [More Information]

2023

  • Newstead, C., Johnston, C., Wakely, L., Nisbet, G. (2023). An exploration of factors influencing physiotherapists’ involvement in student clinical education. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. [More Information]
  • Klinner, C., Borges Dario, A., Bell, A., Nisbet, G., Penman, M., Monrouxe, L. (2023). Beyond mere respect: new perspectives on dignity for healthcare workplace learning. Frontiers in Medicine, 10. [More Information]
  • Nisbet, G., Thompson, T., McAllister, S., Brady, B., Christie, L., Jennings, M., Kenny, B., Penman, M. (2023). From burden to benefit: a multi-site study of the impact of allied health work-based learning placements on patient care quality. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 28(3), 759-791. [More Information]

2022

  • Gorgon, E., Maka, K., Kam, A., Nisbet, G., Sullivan, J., Regan, G., Pourkazemi, F., Lin, J., Mohamed, M., Leaver, A. (2022). Needs assessment for health service design for people with back pain in a hospital setting: A qualitative study. Health Expectations, 25(2), 721-731. [More Information]
  • Hu, C., Nisbet, G., Chang, Y. (2022). Responding to change in a medical student rural community service: Insights from activity theory. Medical Education, 56(11), 1086-1095. [More Information]

2021

  • Bourne, E., Nisbet, G., Nicholson, M., Mok, I. (2021). Engaging Stakeholders to Improve Pedagogy in Allied Health Placement Preparation. In Jennifer C. Friberg, Colleen F. Visconti, Sarah M. Ginsberg (Eds.), Evidence-Based Education in the Classroom : Examples from Clinical Disciplines, (pp. 291-300). Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated.
  • Dunne, M., Nisbet, G., Penman, M. (2021). How speech pathology educators conceptualise reflection in practicum contexts influences student learning experiences. Reflective Practice, 22(3), 400-414. [More Information]
  • Nisbet, G., McAllister, S., Morris, C., Jennings, M. (2021). Moving beyond solutionism: Re-imagining placements through an activity systems lens. Medical Education, 55(1), 45-54. [More Information]

2020

  • Kent, F., Glass, S., Courtney, J., Thorpe, J., Nisbet, G. (2020). Sustainable interprofessional learning on clinical placements: the value of observing others at work. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(6), 812-818. [More Information]
  • Patrick (Blackford), J., Alison, J., McAllister, L., Nisbet, G. (2020). The clinical educators' experience of replacing physiotherapy student clinical education time with simulation. International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care, 8(1), 60-72. [More Information]

2019

  • Dunne, M., Nisbet, G., Penman, M., McAllister, L. (2019). Facilitating development and maintenance of reflection in speech pathology students. Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning, 2(2), 27-51. [More Information]
  • Pollard, N., Lincoln, M., Nisbet, G., Penman, M. (2019). Patient perceptions of communication in the radiographers. Radiography, 25, 333-338. [More Information]
  • Newstead, C., Johnston, C., Nisbet, G., McAllister, L. (2019). Physiotherapy clinical education in Australia: an exploration of clinical educator characteristics, confidence and training requirements. Australian Health Review, 43(6), 696-705. [More Information]

2018

  • Nisbet, G., Raymond, J., Batstone, A., Barclay, T., Barraclough, F., Haq, I., Jennings, M., Leadbeatter, D., Maw, M., Nicole, M., Smith, L., Stuart-Smith, W., et al (2018). Building interprofessional learning sustainability: development and evaluation of an interprofessional learning placement resource. Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning, 1(2), 15-38.
  • Nisbet, G., Raymond, J., Batstone, A., Barclay, T., Barraclough, F., Haq, I., Jennings, M., Leadbeatter, D., Maw, M., Nicole, M., Smith, L., Stuart-Smith, W., et al (2018). Building interprofessional learning sustainability: development and evaluation of an interprofessional learning placement resource. Professional Learning, 1, 2.

2017

  • Nisbet, G., Jorm, C., Roberts, C., Gordon, C., Chen, T. (2017). Content validation of an interprofessional learning video peer assessment tool. BMC Medical Education, 17(1), 1-10. [More Information]
  • Newstead, C., Johnston, C., Nisbet, G., McAllister, L. (2017). Physiotherapy clinical education in Australia: Development and validation of a survey instrument to profile clinical educator characteristics, experience and training requirements. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 45(3), 154-169.
  • Yang, K., Nisbet, G., McAllister, L. (2017). Students' experiences and perceptions of interprofessional supervision on placement. International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care, 5(2), 1-18. [More Information]

2016

  • Scanlan, J., Nisbet, G. (2016). A single virtual patient education activity led to improvements in some self-reported interprofessional competencies in approximately 40% of students. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 63(4), 298-300. [More Information]
  • Pollard, N., Lincoln, M., Penman, M., Nisbet, G. (2016). An Investigation into patient experiences and perceptions of communication encounters with allied health practitioners. 17th OTTAWA Conference, Perth, Australia.
  • Pollard, N., Lincoln, M., Penman, M., Nisbet, G. (2016). An Investigation into patient experiences and perceptions of diagnostic radiographers' communication skills. 11th Annual Scientific Meeting of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Brisbane, Australia.

2015

  • Nisbet, G., McAllister, L. (2015). A Critical Review of Outcomes of Peer Group Mentoring and Elements Influencing its Success and Application to Student Placement Supervisors. International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care, 3(2), 61-76. [More Information]
  • Zhao, D., Nagarajan, S., Nisbet, G. (2015). Informal Learning Opportunities Matter: The Interprofessional Learning Experiences of Undergraduate Speech Pathology Students. International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care, 3(2), 17-31. [More Information]
  • Nisbet, G., Dunn, S., Lincoln, M. (2015). Interprofessional team meetings: Opportunities for informal interprofessional learning. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 29(5), 426-432. [More Information]

2014

  • Nisbet, G., McAllister, L., Heydon, M. (2014). A Peer Group Mentoring Framework for the Development of Student Supervisors.
  • Nisbet, G., McAllister, L., Patrick (Blackford), J., Tartakover, E., Bradd, P. (2014). Preparing students for future interprofessional practice through improved interprofessional supervision. Practice-based education summit.

2013

  • Nisbet, G., Lincoln, M., Dunn, S. (2013). Informal interprofessional learning: an untapped opportunity for learning and change within the workplace. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 27(6), 469-475. [More Information]

2012

  • Nisbet, G., Dunn, S., Lincoln, M., Shaw, J. (2012). Development of the Team Interprofessional Learning Profiling questionnaire. All Together Better Health VI International Interprofessional Learning Conference.

2011

  • Matthews, L., Pockett, R., Nisbet, G., Thistlethwaite, J., Dunston, R., Lee, A., White, J. (2011). Building Capacity in Australian Interprofessional Health Education: Perspectives from Key Health and Higher Education Stakeholders. Australian Health Review, 35(2), 136-140. [More Information]
  • Nisbet, G., Lee, A., Kumar, K., Thistlethwaite, J., Dunston, R. (2011). Interprofessional Health Education: A Literature Review Overview of international and Australian developments in interprofessional health education (IPE). Sydney: University of Technology, Sydney.

2010

  • Thistlethwaite, J., Nisbet, G., Ajjawi, R. (2010). Interprofessional fieldwork in practice. In Lindy McAllister, Margo Paterson, Joy Higgs, Christine Bithell (Eds.), Innovations in Allied Health Fieldwork Education: A Critical Appraisal, (pp. 215-224). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
  • Dunston, R., Lee, A., Lee, A., Matthews, L., Nisbet, G., Pockett, R., Thistlethwaite, J., White, J. (2010). Interprofessional Health Education in Australia: Report of the Launch of the proposal The Way Forward, March 2010, (pp. 1 - 36). Sydney, Australia: University of Technology Sydney, The University of Sydney.
  • Nisbet, G., Dunn, S., Lincoln, M. (2010). The multidisciplinary team meeting: an opportunity for interprofessional learning? All Together Better Health V International Interprofessional Learning Conference.

2009

  • Bell, C., Dunston, R., Fitzgerald, T., Hawke, G., Lee, A., Lee, A., Matthews, L., Nisbet, G., Pockett, R., Slade, D., White, J., et al (2009). Interprofessional Health Education in Australia: The Way Forward, (pp. 7 - 33). Sydney, Australia: Australian Learning and Teaching Council.
  • Ajjawi, R., Hyde, S., Roberts, C., Nisbet, G. (2009). Marginalisation of dental students in a shared medical and dental education programme. Medical Education, 43(3), 238-245. [More Information]

2008

  • Bell, C., Dunston, R., Fitzgerald, T., Hawke, G., Lee, A., Lee, A., Matthews, L., Nisbet, G., Pockett, R., Slade, D., White, J., et al (2008). Interprofessional health education in Australia: A proposal for future research and development, December 2008, (pp. 4 - 30). Sydney, Australia: L-TIPP, Centre for Research in Learning and Change.
  • Nisbet, G., Hendry, G., Rolls, G., Field, M. (2008). Interprofessional learning for pre-qualification health care students: An outcomes-based evaluation. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 22(1), 57-68. [More Information]
  • McGregor, D., Nisbet, G., Hobbs, C., Matthews, L., Gerzina, T., Cumming, S. (2008). Learning together to work together: Embedding Interprofessional learning within health and social care curricula. Synergy, 27.

2007

  • Thistlethwaite, J., Nisbet, G. (2007). Interprofessional education: what's the point and where we're at. The Clinical Teacher, 4(2), 67-72. [More Information]
  • Cumming, S., Nisbet, G., Harris, L., Matthews, L., Lewis, M., Driscoll, P., Russell, C. (2007). Interprofessional or pre-professional? IPL in the context of a generic degree. 4th University of Sydney Faculties of Health Ed Health Conference 2007, Sydney: University of Sydney.
  • Nisbet, G., Thistlethwaite, J. (2007). Preparing our educators for interprofessional learning: a framework for a work-based interprofessional learning staff development workshop. Focus on Health Professional Education: A multi-disciplinary journal, 8(3), 95-101.

Selected Grants

2024

  • Building Sustainable Solutions to Placement Capacity in Allied Health Education, Nisbet G, Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences (ACDHS)/Research Grant

2021

  • Enhancing Healthcare Access for People with Communication Disabilities, Dennis S, McAllister S, Johnson A, Ng J, Brunner M, Elbourn E, Nisbet G, Rietdijk R, Togher L, National Disability Insurance Agency/Mainstream Capacity Building (MCB) Grant Round