Dr. Terri Downer

Biography

Associate Professor Terri Downer is Discipline Lead for Midwifery having originally joined UniSC in 2010. Terri’s international career has spanned over 35 years during which time she has specialised in midwifery, neonatal intensive care, IVF, community and emergency nursing.

Terri is an invited peer reviewer for a variety of international journals. She has extensive experience in designing and delivering online and face-to-face education. Her Advance award for Blended Learning addressed the use of emerging technologies such as QR codes, immersive simulation and the use of ePortfolios. In 2019 Terri became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in recognition of her outstanding work in higher education.

Research

Terri has established herself as a Chief Investigator on higher education research projects. The focus of her research is the use of innovative technologies to engage both health professionals and students in authentic and blended learning. Through the scholarship of teaching and learning Terri has led projects introducing students to ePortfolios, 3D technology and video assessment. In addition, Terri is involved in research that is currently exploring the experiences of midwifery students retuning to study following pregnancy. She has published >40 peer reviewed journal articles and other publications.

HDR Research Projects

1. The silent voice of the midwife. Managing neonatal resuscitation in limited clinical settings: a study into the practice of midwives in urban Sub-Sahara Africa.
2. Autonomous Nurse-led Weaning of High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy in Infants with Bronchiolitis.
3. Improving shared sleep messaging to families - a consumer lens.
4. Evaluating an alternative therapy to sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder.
5. Midwifery care in rural Bangladesh: Challenges and opportunities to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
6. Providing Trauma Informed Care to women experiencing early pregnancy loss: perspectives of nurses working within the emergency department.

Expert media commentary

Terri Downer's area of expertise includes midwifery, nursing, visualisation, 3D digital technology, simulation and blended learning.