Melissa Arnold-Ujvari

Mrs Melissa Arnold-Ujvari

Senior Lecturer

Adelaide Nursing School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences


Melissa Arnold-Ujvari is an education specialist in the Nursing School with 30 years of professional experience working and teaching in Australia and the United Kingdom and been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) since 2005. She is a Senior Lecturer and Director Pre-Registration Nursing Programs. Melissa is a passionate renal nurse whose focus is on cultural safety and improving health care and outcomes for and with First Nations people. She has worked within the AKction team since 2018, focusing on improving outcomes for First Nations Australians and embedding cultural safety within clinical care. Melissa is completing a PhD "The emergence and translation of cultural safety education into renal nursing care in South Australia."
Melissa was the Editor in Chief of the Renal Society of Australasia Journal from 2016-2020 and Deputy Editor from 2020 - 2023.
Melissa previously worked at City University, London as Senior Lecturer and Program Director for Undergraduate Pre-Registration Adult Nursing.
Research Interests: Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Health, Renal Nursing, Cultural Safety.

Collaborative approaches to improve First Nation’s student nurse journeys prior to amalgamation

Timelines: April - November 2024, Adelaide Nursing School, University of Adelaide.

Description: We intend to implement and evaluate nursing school initiatives which better support First Nations students throughout their undergraduate degrees.

Role - Chief Investigator 

Funding: Adelaide Nursing School Grant Scheme

Collaborators: Arna Westhead, Tahlee Stevenson, Amy Wells, Janet Kelly, Elizabeth Rix & Nicola Eastaff-Leung

Exploring the journeys of First Nation students Project

Timelines: May -November 2023, Adelaide Nursing School, University of Adelaide.

Description: We intend to conduct mixed methods research within the Adelaide Nursing School aimed at improving First Nation student support, retention and completion of studies.

Role - Chief Investigator 

Funding: Adelaide Nursing School Grant Scheme

Collaborators: Amy Wells, Arna Westhead, Janet Kelly, Kynesha Temple Varcoe, Tahlee Stevenson & Yvette Salamon

Ngadlu Yuringguru - First Nations Student Support Project

Timelines: September  - December 2022, Adelaide Nursing School, University of Adelaide.

Description: Understanding how best to improve the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal students is an on-going challenge. This project aims to develop approaches and partnerships to support and encourage Aboriginal students enrolling in the faculty of health and medical sciences, toward successful completion.

Role - Chief Investigator 

Funding: Adelaide Education Academy Learning and Teaching Advancement Grant

Collaborators: Amy Graham, Kynesha Temple Varcoe and Janet Kelly.

AKction2: Aboriginal Kidney Care Together  - Improving Outcomes Now

Timelines: January 2021 - December 2025, Adelaide Nursing School, University of Adelaide.

Description: AKction 2 builds on AKction 1 where Aboriginal patients and their families are involved in community consultations and patient journey mapping to inform renal care and clinical guideline development. An Aboriginal patient reference group continues to provide an advisory and consultation role, identifying barriers and gaps in care journeys.
AKction 2 extends and centres the role of Aboriginal patients, and community members from advisory to leadership and Indigenous governance, with active involvement in key decision making within research and health care redesign. Aboriginal renal patients & family members are now positioned as chief investigators, supported by the AKction Reference Group and a multidisciplinary team of managers, coordinators, medical, nursing, allied health and support staff and services.

Research activities: Community consultations, patient journey mapping, AKction Reference Group, stakeholder workshops, piloting new models of care.

Role - Associate Investigator 

Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council (NRHMC) Ideas Grant

Collaborators: Central Northern Adelaide Renal & Transplantation Service (CNARTS), SA Health, Kidney Health Australia, Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (Port Augusta), Health Translation SA.

Coping with COVID19: perceptions of and strategies used by nurse, midwife and paramedic academics teaching to these frontline workers.

Timelines: June 2020 - June 2021, Adelaide Nursing School, University of Adelaide.

Description: This study aims to examine how Covid19 has affected the perceptions of front line worker academics toward their role.  Additionally, we would like to capture what strategies the staff and the universities have put into place and their success (or not) in decreasing occupational stress, building and maintaining resilience and well-being.  We are particularly interested in the self-care activities staff may have introduced.

Research activities: Individual interviews, Thematics and Review

Role - Associate Investigator 

Collaborators: Murdoch University, Curtin University, Queensland University of Technology, Central Queensland University, University of Stirling (UK), University of Surrey (UK) & University of Adelaide.

Integration of a mindfulness intervention into undergraduate third year nursing student curriculum to build sustainable resilience skills

Timelines: July 2020 - January 2021, Adelaide Nursing School, University of Adelaide.

Description: This study aims to examine how the integration of a formalised mindfulness and resilience (MSCR) program into the final year nursing curriculum asssits nursing students who are about to transition to be a registered nurse. 

Research activities: pre intervention survey, delivering of MSCR intervention, post intervention survey and follow up survey 7 months post intervention.  

Role - Associate Investigator 

AKction1 - Aboriginal Kidney Care Together - Improving Outcomes Now‘My Kidney Journey’ by Inawinytji Williamson

[formerly Engaging with Aboriginal People to Improve Kidney Care and Outcomes in South Australia]

Timelines: January - December 2020, Adelaide Nursing School, University of Adelaide.

Description: A collaborative action research project involving Aboriginal people with kidney disease and their families, health professionals, renal services, health and support services, universities and other key stakeholders. Methods include community consultations, patient journey mapping, priority setting and implementation of improvement strategies.

Research activities: Community consultations, patient journey mapping, AKction ReferenceGroup, stakeholder workshops, piloting new models of care.

Role - Chief Investigator B

Funding: Health Translation SA - Rapid Applied Research Translation for Health Impact Grant.

Collaborators: Central Northern Adelaide Renal & Transplantation Service (CNARTS), SA Health, Kidney Health Australia, Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (Port Augusta), Health Translation SA.

Research Outputs:

  • AKction Reference Group comprising Aboriginal patients and family members with lived experience of kidney disease and kidney care
  • Patient Journey Mapping Tools specific for Aboriginal Kidney Care
  • Video (above)
  • Radio interviews
  • Annual key stakeholder workshops
  • Community consultation reports for Adelaide, Port Augusta and Ceduna
Adel AKction community consultation report    

For full copies of reports go to: https://kidney.org.au/get-involved/advocacy/yarning-kidney-consultations

  • Newspaper articles
  1. Port Augusta Community Consultation - https://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/5893548/art-raises-awareness-for-kidney-care/?cs=1538&utm_source=website&utm_medium=story&utm_campaign=sidebar 
  • New models of practice in kidney care - Dialysis at Kanggawodli Aboriginal Hostel 
  1. https://centraladelaide.health.sa.gov.au/new-dialysis-chairs-at-aboriginal-health-service/
  2. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-26/sa-dialysis-trial-has-promising-results-for-aboriginal-patients/12914018
  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2024 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2023 - ongoing Adelaide College of Reviewers University of Adelaide
    2021 - ongoing Associate Research member Lowitja Institute
    2021 - ongoing Peer Assisted Reflection & Developement Program (PARD-P) Lead - FHMS University of Adelaide
    2020 - ongoing Deputy Editor - Renal Journal of Australasia Renal Society of Australasia
    2019 - ongoing Academic panel member - Accreditation Assessment teams ANMAC
    2019 - 2023 Adelaide Education Academy Executive University of Adelaide
    2017 - ongoing Adelaide Education Academy University of Adelaide
    2016 - 2019 Panel Member South Australia Health Practitioners Tribunal.
    2016 - 2020 Editor in Chief - Renal Journal of Australasia Renal Society of Australasia
    2016 - ongoing Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2011 - 2015 Senior Lecturer / Program Director Adult Nursing City University
    2007 - 2011 Senior Lecturer & Associate Program Director Adult Nursing City University London
    2006 - 2007 Lecturer & Associate Program Director Adult Nursing City, University London
    2004 - 2006 Lecturer Adult Nursing City, University London
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2022 Award University Awards for Outstanding Achievement – Excellence in Research University of Adelaide Australia $5000
    2022 Achievement FHMS Advancing Leadership Program The Leaders Institute of South Australia Australia -
    2020 Nomination A CULTURE OF IMPACT AND EXCELLENCE Exceptional Leadership (Finalist) University of Adelaide Australia -
    2018 Award PVCI Excellence Award University of Adelaide Australia -
    2017 Teaching Award June 2017 Learning and Teaching Advancement Grant University of Adelaide Australia $6000
    2014 Award Innovative Service User Involvement City University United Kingdom 3500 GBP
    2006 Award Academic Practice Award City University United Kingdom 1000 GBP
    2003 Scholarship Premiers Nursing Scholarship SA Health Australia $12000
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2005 - 2006 City University United Kingdom Graduate Diploma in Academic Practice
    2002 - 2003 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Education (In-service)
    2000 - 2001 University of Western Sydney Australia Masters of Nursing (with Distinction)
    1991 - 1992 University of South Australia Australia Graduate Diploma of Health Counselling
    1990 - 1992 Flinders University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Nursing
    1987 - 1989 South Australian College of Advanced Education Australia Diploma of Nursing
  • Certifications

    Date Title Institution name Country
    2018 ALS1 - ILS Provider Australian Resuscitation Council Australia
    2005 Graduate Certificate in Online Tutoring City University London United Kingdom
    2000 ENB A33 - Developing Autonomous Practice University of Hertfordshire United Kingdom
    1997 ENB 934 - Care & Management of Persons with HIV & AIDS City University London United Kingdom
    1993 Renal Care Certificate The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Australia
  • Research Interests

1. Funding scheme:  Adelaide Nursing School Grant Scheme- $10,000 AUD & Learning and Teaching Advancement Grant - $4,000 AUD

Collaborative approaches to improve First Nation’s student nurse journeys prior to amalgamation

Reporting dates: April -December 2024 (Chief Investigator)

2. Funding scheme:  Adelaide Nursing School Grant Scheme- $10,000 AUD

Exploring the journeys of First Nation students Project

Reporting dates: May -December 2023 (Chief Investigator)

3. Funding scheme:  Adelaide Education Academy Learning and Teaching Advancement Grant - $6,000 AUD

Ngadlu Yuringguru - First Nations Student Support Project

Reporting dates: September - December 2022 (Chief Investigator)

4. Funding scheme: National Health and Medical Research Council (NRHMC) Ideas Grant - $1.9 Million AUD

AKction2: Aboriginal Kidney Care Together - Improving Outcomes Now

Reporting dates: 01 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2025 (Associate Investigator)

5. Funding scheme: NHMRC/MRFF-Health Translation SA- Rapid Applied Research Translation for Health Impact Grant $185,000 AUD

Engaging with Aboriginal People to Improve Kidney Care and Outcomes in South Australia

Chief Investigators: Kelly J; Arnold-Chamney M

Reporting dates: 01 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2020

5. Funding scheme: British Kidney Patient Association (BKPA)

Establishing a Patient and Carer Advisory Group for the Kidney Research and Education Initiative (KREI) at City University London. £7000 GBP.

Chief Investigators: Chamney M; Noble H.

Reporting dates: March 2011- March 2014

Current Teaching and Course Co-ordination in 2024:

NURS3007 Nursing in an International Context (Semester 1)

NURS3009 Leadership and Transition to Practice (Semester 2)

Previous Teaching and Course Co-ordination for 2016 - 2023:

NURS1004 Communication & Professional Nursing (Semester 1)

NURS2009 Community & Primary Health Care (Semester 2)

NURS3007 Nursing in an International Context (Semester 1) 

NURS3009 Leadership and Transition to Practice (Semester 2)

NURS3010 Nursing in Complex Settings (Critical Care) (Semester 2)

  • Mentoring

    Date Topic Location Name
    2024 - 2024 Collaborative approaches to improve First Nation’s student nurse journeys University Of Adelaide Level A Staff Member
  • Board Memberships

    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2006 - 2010 Board Member Education and Research Board, European Dialysis & Transplant Nurses Association / European Renal Care Association Czech Republic
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2024 - ongoing Member Standing Strong Yarning Up Loud Planning Committee Flinders University, University South Australia, TAFE and University of Adelaide Australia
    2024 - ongoing Member School Executive Committee Adelaide Nursing School Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member Schools Internationalisation Lead Network Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Australia
    2019 - 2023 Member Adelaide Education Academy (AEA) Executive Group University of Adelaide Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2023 - ongoing Member Adelaide College of Reviewers Australia
    2021 - ongoing Member Lowitja Institute Members Community Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) United States
    2017 - ongoing Member Education Specialist - Adelaide Education Academy Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member AHPRA Australia
    2005 - 2011 Board Member European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association United Kingdom
    2000 - ongoing Member Renal Society of Australasia Australia
    1995 - ongoing Member Nursing and Midwifery Council United Kingdom
  • Consulting/Advisories

    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2014 - 2014 CBBC - Health services and related United Kingdom
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2020 - ongoing Associate Editor Renal Society of Australasia Journal Renal Society of Australia Australia
    2016 - 2020 Editor Renal Society of Australasia Journal Renal Society of Australasia Australia
    2009 - ongoing Member Journal of Renal Care EDTNA/ERCA Czech Republic
    2008 - 2015 Board Member Renal Society of Australasia Journal Renal Society of Australasia Australia
  • Event Participation

    Date Event Name Event Type Institution Country
    2009 - 2009 Middle East & Africa Renal Education Program Conference European Dialysis & Transplant Nurses Association /European Renal Care Association & Fresenius Medical Care Egypt
    2008 - 2008 Middle East & Africa Renal Education Program Conference European Dialysis & Transplant Nurses Association /European Renal Care Association & Fresenius Medical Care Czech Republic
    2007 - 2007 Middle East & Africa Renal Education Program Conference European Dialysis & Transplant Nurses Association /European Renal Care Association & Fresenius Medical Care Spain
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83133643
  • Email: melissa.arnold-ujvari@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Adelaide Nursing School

Connect With Me
External Profiles