About

Biography

Dr Lynne Stuart is a Mandandanji Aboriginal woman from the Maranoa District of South-West Queensland. Born, living and working on Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi Country on the Sunshine Coast, she maintains strong cultural connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Communities, and Elders. Her work is informed by her identity as an Aboriginal woman, Registered Nurse, educator, researcher, and community member, and reflects a commitment to advancing Indigenous Peoples' health, wellbeing, and self-determination.

Dr Stuart is an Aboriginal Nursing Academic and Senior Lecturer in the School of Health at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC). With more than 20 years of experience in higher education and a background in surgical and perioperative nursing, her academic practice is guided by a Dreaming with Care philosophy that supports the development of future Indigenous nurses, midwives, academics, and leaders.

Dr Stuart completed her PhD at UniSC in 2018. Her doctoral thesis, Maroochy Dreaming: The Stories of Aboriginal Nursing Academics Who Have Been Employed within Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Queensland Universities, examined the experiences of Aboriginal nursing academics in higher education. Through her teaching, research, and leadership, she contributes to strengthening health and education systems to better support the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Awards and Honours

CATSINaM Education and Mentorship Award
Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives, 2024
Associate Fellow (Indigenous Knowledges) of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) UK
Queensland University of Technology (Australia, Brisbane) - QUT, 24 April 2024
Indigenous Perspectives and Knowledges in Learning & Teaching
Queensland University of Technology (Australia, Brisbane) - QUT, 2024
25 Acts in 25 years, Celebrating 25 years of Individual Activism for promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery
Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives, 20 August 2022
World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) 'Champions for Change'
National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education, 17 November 2020
Vice-Chancellor and President’s Diversity and Inclusion Award
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - USC, 2020
Senior Fellow: UK Professional Standards Framework
Higher Education Academy (United Kingdom, York), 30 October 2019
Vice-Chancellor and President's Diversity and Inclusion Award
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - USC, August 2019
Vice-Chancellor and President's Diversity and Inclusion Award
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - USC, 2018
Member of USQ Teaching Academy: Inducted for excellence in teaching
University of Southern Queensland (Australia, Toowoomba) - USQ, 16 March 2012
USQ: Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. In appreciation of your valued service to the USQ community.
University of Southern Queensland (Australia, Toowoomba) - USQ, 13 March 2012
National Award: Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) For developing retention and support strategies that enable Indigenous nursing students to realise their university dreaming journeys. "Helping Hands"
University of Southern Queensland (Australia, Toowoomba) - USQ, 2011
Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council: Indigenous Staff Scholarship
Australian Government (Australia, Canberra), 2009

Organisational Affiliations

Member, Healthy Ageing Research Cluster

Senior Lecturer, Nursing, School of Health - Nursing

Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives

Muliyan Indigenist Research Consortium

Leaders in Indigenous Nursing and Midwifery Education Network

Muliyan National Research Consortium, Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives

LINMEN National Advisory Committee, Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives

Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues (PFII) - Indigenous Health Academic Consultant , United Nations (United States, New York) - ONU

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (Australia, Canberra) - AIATSIS

Registered Nurse - Reg. No. 1669640298, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Australia, Melbourne) - AHPRA

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (General Nursing)
Jan-2010–Dec-2017, Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC

13/02/2018 Graduated with the award Doctor of Philosophy. Thesis Title: - 'Maroochy Dreaming': The Stories of Aboriginal Nursing Academics who have been Employed within Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Queensland universities between 2003 - 2013 - Pass award - with no changes

Master of Nursing (Honours)
Jan-2008–Dec-2009, Master of Nursing (Honours) , University of Southern Queensland (Australia, Toowoomba) - USQ

24/04/2010 Graduated with the award of Master of Nursing (Honours) with Second Class Honours Division A. Thesis Title: - What are the Experiences of Indigenous Health Workers Enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland - GPA = 6.50

Tertiary Teaching and Learning
Jan-2007–Jan-2008, Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning, University of Southern Queensland (Australia, Toowoomba) - USQ

12/03/2008 Graduated with the award of Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning - GPA = 6.25

Master of Nursing
Jan-2004–Jun-2005, Master of Nursing, University of Southern Queensland (Australia, Toowoomba) - USQ

10/09/2005 Graduated with the award of Master of Nursing - GPA = 5.75

Bachelor of Nursing Qualification Major Nursing Pre-Registration
Jan-1999–Dec-2001, Bachelor of Nursing, University of Southern Queensland (Australia, Toowoomba) - USQ

20/04/2002 Graduated with the award of Bachelor of Nursing - GPA = 5.48