James Thompson

Dr James Thompson

Senior Lecturer

School of Allied Health Science and Practice

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

James is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Allied Health Science & Practice, where he coordinates a diverse range of curricula and leads multiple academic initiatives. A passionate and highly innovative educator, he has held leadership roles across nursing, paramedicine, medicine, and clinical education. He is a champion for diversity, equity and the continuous improvement of workplace cultures.
With extensive clinical experience, James has served in senior roles as both a paramedic and an emergency nurse practitioner, gaining deep expertise across a range of healthcare settings in Australia and the UK. This background informs his signature authentic learning approach, particularly in teaching human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, patient assessment skills and professional practice – areas which have been widely celebrated through SoTL, awards and fellowship recognition.
James has been an early contributor to the university-level education of paramedics in Australia and remains actively engaged in the governance and regulation of the profession. Internationally, he played a key role in developing extended care roles for paramedics within the UK’s NHS and later the local introduction of this novel shift in care delivery.
His research and scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) span diverse areas and have influenced institutional policy and practice. James has been a champion for transforming thinking and practice around the assessment of health profession student competency, and the understanding and the interpretation of graduate work-readiness – both areas where he has contributed new education theory.

James has broad research interests and expertise in the areas of, authentic assessment, patient assessment, resuscitation, physiology, clinical education, and programmatic assessment. He welcomes any health or education research collaboration or supervision inquiries.

  • Interprofessional Education/Learning
  • Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Capstone Education
  • Authentic/ Sustainable Assessment
  • Resuscitation
  • Fluid Physiology
  • Programmatic Assessment
  • Clinical Competency
  • Work readiness
  • Patient Assessment
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Paramedicine 
  • Environmental Physiotherapy

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Senior Lecturer The University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2022 Senior Lecturer/ Teaching Specialist Flinders University
    2012 - 2018 Paramedic (Casual) SA Ambulance Service
    2006 - 2015 Lecturer Flinders University
    2004 - 2006 Emergency Care Lecturer/Practitioner St George's, University of London
    2002 - 2004 Emergency Nurse Practitioner Newham University Hospital
    1999 - 2003 Emergency Nurse Specialist (Locum) Mayfair Specialist Nurses Agency
    1997 - 1999 Paramedic SA Ambulance Service
    1995 - 1997 Registered Nurse Flinders Medical Centre
    1993 - 1995 Registered Nurse Queen Elizabeth Hospital

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2021 Fellowship Advance HE Senior Fellowship Advance HE United Kingdom -
    2019 Teaching Award Conference Award : HERGA Conference Flinders University Australia -
    2017 Teaching Award Best Paper Conference Award: HERDSA Edith Cowan Australia -
    2014 Teaching Award Executive Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence (Individual) Flinders University Australia -
    2013 Research Award Australasian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Honours Conference Award Flinders University Australia -
    2012 Teaching Award Council of Ambulance Authorities Educational Performance Award Flinders University Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2020 Flinders University Australia PhD
    2014 Flinders University Australia Graduate Certificate Education (Higher Education)
    2011 Flinders University Australia Bachelor Health Science (Honours)
    1999 University of Hertfordshire United Kingdom Graduate Certificate - Developing Autonomous Practice (Emergency Nurse Practitioner)
    1999 SA Ambulance Service Australia Diploma of Applied Science- Ambulance Studies
    1992 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Nursing

  • Research Interests
    Curriculum and Pedagogy Education Education Assessment and Evaluation Emergency & Critical Care Medicine Emergency Medicine Physiology

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2024 Verrall, C., Willis, E., Gerrie, A., & Thompson, J. (2024). Missed care or missed opportunities in general practice nursing. Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research, 31(4), 188-194.
    DOI
    2024 Thompson, J., Verrall, C., Bogaardt, H., Thirumanickam, A., Marley, C., & Boyle, M. (2024). Responding to the real problem of sustainable resuscitation skills with real assessment. Mixed-methods evaluation of an authentic assessment programme. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 30(6), 989-999.
    DOI
    2024 Thompson, J., & Houston, D. (2024). Resolving the wicked problem of quality in paramedic education: the application of assessment for learning to bridge theory-practice gaps. Quality in Higher Education, 30(1), 112-129.
    DOI Scopus7 WoS2
    2023 Thompson, J. (2023). From training to education: Understanding and responding to the resuscitation education issues with ideas and theory. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 29(1), 228-232.
    DOI Scopus1
    2020 Thompson, J., & Houston, D. (2020). Programmatic assessment condensed: Introducing progress testing approaches to a single semester paramedic subject. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 17(3), 195-211.
    DOI
    2020 Thompson, J., Couzner, L., & Houston, D. (2020). Assessment partnerships from the start: Building reflective practice as a beginning paramedic student competency. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 17, 1-8.
    DOI
    2017 Thompson, J., Houston, D., & Dansie, K. (2017). Teaching Students to Think like a Paramedic: Improving Professional Judgement through Assessment Conversations. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 14, 1-6.
    DOI
    2017 Thompson, J., Houston, D., Dansie, K., Rayner, T., Pointon, T., Pope, S., . . . Grantham, H. (2017). Student & tutor consensus: a partnership in assessment for learning. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 42(6), 942-952.
    DOI Scopus15 WoS11
    2017 Houston, D., & Thompson, J. (2017). A bridge to being a practitioner: the role of pedagogical practice-in-context knowledge in the design, delivery and experience of a capstone subject. Research and Development in Higher Education Series.
    2015 Thompson, J., Grantham, H., & Houston, D. (2015). Paramedic capstone education model: Building work-ready graduates. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 12(3), 1-9.
    DOI Scopus13
    2015 Carter, H., & Thompson, J. (2015). Defining the paramedic process. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 21(1), 22.
    DOI
    2013 Thompson, J. (2013). Exploring paramedic patient assessment. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 5(6), 342-347.
    DOI
    - Houston, D., & Thompson, J. (n.d.). Blending Formative and Summative Assessment in a Capstone Subject: ‘It’s not your tools, it’s how you use them’. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 14(3).
    DOI

  • Conference Papers
    Year Citation
    2025 Thompson, J. (2025). The use of escape rooms to enhance resuscitation training. In ANZAHPE Website. Perth.
    2025 Maddern, A., & Thompson, J. (2025). Entrustment and consensus assessment approaches in the evaluation of physiotherapy student competence. In ANZAHPE website. Perth.
    2024 Thompson, J. (2024). Student-tutor consensus assessment : Challenging beliefs on testing. In Festival Website. University of Adelaide.
    2017 Thompson, J., & Houston, D. (2017). A bridge to being a practitioner: the role of pedagogical practice-in-context knowledge in the design, delivery and experience of a capstone subject.. In A bridge to being a practitioner: the role of pedagogical practice-in-context knowledge in the design, delivery and experience of a capstone subject.. Sydney.

  • Conference Items
    Year Citation
    2024 Thompson, J. (2024). Tackling resuscitation skill decay with authentic sustainable assessment. Poster session presented at the meeting of ANZAHPE Conference.
    2024 Maddern, A., & Thompson, J. (2024). Entrustment and consensus assessment approaches are beneficial in the evaluation of physiotherapy student competence. Poster session presented at the meeting of Festival of Learning and Teaching 2024. University of Adelaide.
    2023 Thompson, J., Charlton, K., Thirumanickam, A., Prideaux, N., & Chen, K. (2023). Fusing Authentic Learning & Interprofessional Education: Re-imagining human bioscience education through the use of health care HUDDLE's. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the Higher Education Research Group Adelaide Conference (HERGA 2023): The Future is Now!. Flinder University Campus, Adelaide: HERGA.
    2023 Thomas, K., Stanhope, J., Thompson, J., & Thirumanickam, A. (2023). Are the most accessible green spaces where they are most needed? A project proposal. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Environmental Physiotherapy Festival.
    2022 Thompson, J. (2022). Can good assessment save your life?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide Conference. Adelaide.
    2021 Thompson, J. (2021). Development and evaluation of a paramedic taxonomy and progress test. Poster session presented at the meeting of College of Paramedics International Education Conference. London (Online).
    2021 Thompson, J. (2021). Programmatic Assessment for Improved Graduate Work-readiness: Testing ‘for’, not just ‘of’ learning. Poster session presented at the meeting of College of Paramedics International Education Conference. London (0nline).
    2021 Thompson, J. (2021). Improving simulation through student assessment partnerships. Poster session presented at the meeting of College of Paramedics International Education Conference. London (Online).
    2019 Thompson, J. (2019). Progress testing in a single subject.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide Conference. Adelaide.
    2019 Thompson, J., & Houston, D. (2019). Making Progress: Introducing progress testing approaches to a single semester paramedic subject. Poster session presented at the meeting of Unknown Conference.
    DOI
    2018 Thompson, J. (2018). It’s not your tools it’s how you use them. Assessment design in a paramedic capstone program.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Prideaux Seminar Series. Prideaux Centre for Research in Health Professions Education.
    2018 Thompson, J. (2018). Evaluation of Student-Tutor Consensus Marking Model in First Year Paramedic Undergraduate Degree: Developing Skills in Self-Evaluation.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide Conference, Adelaide. Adelaide.
    2018 Thompson, J., Houston, D., & Couzner, L. (2018). Making progress: Helping students to know where they are going and where they have been with the use of progress testing: Design & Implementation. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide Conference.
    2017 Houston, D., & Thompson, J. (2017). Simulated job interview as an oral tool for assessment: personalised assessment of personalised learning. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group Adelaide Conference. Adelaide.
    2016 Thompson, J., & Houston, D. (2016). Using Wikis to Enhance Problem Based Learning. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group Adelaide Conference. Adelaide.
    2016 Thompson, J., Dansie, K., & Houston, D. (2016). Teaching Students to think like a Paramedic: Improving Professional Judgement through Assessment Conversations. Poster session presented at the meeting of Paramedics Australasia International Conference. Auckland.
    2015 Thompson, J., & Houston, D. (2015). Customising a capstone experience around assessment for learning: A case study for paramedic education. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Conference on Assessment for Learning. Hong Kong.
    2015 Thompson, J., Pointon, T., Rayner, T., Pope, S., Mitchell, B., & Houston, D. (2015). Student and tutor consensus as a basis of assessment: Developing undergraduate skills in self-evaluation. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide Conference. Adelaide.
    2014 Thompson, J. (2014). Learning through technology and social media. Poster session presented at the meeting of Medicine and the Natural Resources Industry- 1st Annual Conference. Brisbane.
    2014 Thompson, J., & Houston, D. (2014). Developing better graduates through individualised learning: A case study of a Paramedic Capstone Experience. Poster session presented at the meeting of Higher Education Research Group Adelaide Conference. Adelaide.
    2013 Thompson, J., & Drummond, C. (2013). Exploring Paramedic Assessment. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Society for Medical Research Scientific Meeting. Adelaide.

  • Theses
    Year Citation
    2020 Thompson, J. (2020). Assessment “for learning” approaches in the development of work-ready paramedic graduates. (PhD Thesis, Flinders University).

  • Internet Publications
    Year Citation
    2023 Thompson, J. (2023). How consensus grading can help build a generation of critical thinkers. Times Higher Education.

2023 Adelaide Nursing School Grant Scheme - $4,000 - Missed care and the role of the practice nurse

Current Course Coordinator

  • Human Bioscience A
  • Evidence Based Practice 1
  • Human Bioscience B
  • Foundations of Health and Wellbeing

Current Lecturer

  • Evidence Based Practice 2

Previous Coordination & Teaching Expertise

  • Standardised Patient & Simulation : (Masters Clinical Education)
  • Assessment in Health Professions Education: (Masters Clinical Education)
  • Human Bioscience
  • Patient Assessment
  • Applied Paramedic Practice (Capstone)
  • Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
  • Integrated Physiology
  • Introduction to Medical Emergencies
  • Introduction to Traumatic Emergencies
  • Clinical Decision Making
  • Minor Injuries 
  • Minor Illness
  • Learning Coach Medical Program

Other key education contributions

  • Conveynor paramedic annual field day (2008-2022)
  • Conveynor ECG training event for Practice Nurses
  • Invited presenter Haemodynamics and Fluid Physiology 
  • Invited presenter Recognising the Deteriorating Patient 
  • Invited presenter Innovations in Assessment Design
  • Medical Program Assessment Lead 
  • Educator and Advisor Extended Care Paramedic Program (SAAS & London Ambulance)

 

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 - ongoing Co-Supervisor What accessibility features are present in public green spaces that have been advertised accessible by local government? University of Adelaide Bachelor Physiotherapy Honours Honours Full Time Kael Thomas
    2024 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Exploring the use of entrustment in speech pathology assessment University of Adelaide Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours Honours Full Time Quynh An Ngoc Vy

  • Mentoring
    Date Topic Location Name
    2024 - ongoing Transition from clinician to academia Australasia College of Paramedicine Research Mentorship Scheme Julia Logan (Paramedicine)
    2024 - 2024 Advance HE Fellowship Program Mentoring University of Adelaide Daniel Costalonga (Occupational Therapy)
    2024 - ongoing Mentoring -Teaching, Learning and Assessment Skills University of Adelaide Abi Thirumanickam (Speech Pathology)
    2024 - ongoing Assessment design and SoTL development University of Adelaide - Allied Health Amanda Maddern (Physiotherapy)
    2024 - 2024 Advance HE Fellowship Program Mentoring University of Adelaide Kimberley Charlton (Occupational Therapy)
    2023 - 2024 Transition from clinician to academia Australasia College of Paramedicine Research Mentorship Scheme Jane Dobson (Paramedicine)
    2023 - 2024 MD Learning Coach Flinders University Medical Degree Learning Coach Program Nurcan Celik (Medicine)
    2021 - 2024 MD Learning Coach Flinders University Medical Degree Learning Coach Program Chelsea Boylan (Medicine)
    2021 - 2024 MD Learning Coach Flinders University Medical Degree Learning Coach Program Hamish Greenslade (Medicine)
    2021 - 2024 MD Learning Coach Flinders University Medical Degree Learning Coach Program Gayun Hong (Medicine)
    2021 - 2024 MD Learning Coach Flinders University Medical Degree Learning Coach Program Hamish Mckenzie (Medicine)
    2018 - 2021 Academic Mentoring & Supervision Flinders University Brad Mitchell (Paramedicine)
    2018 - 2021 Academic Mentoring and Supervision Flinders University Anthea Cayetano (Paramedicine)
    2018 - 2021 Academic Mentoring and Supervision Flinders University Louise Roberts (Paramedicine)
    2018 - 2021 Academic Mentoring and Supervision Flinders University Shoreh Majd (Paramedicine)
    2018 - 2020 Academic Mentoring and Supervision Flinders University Simon Pope (Paramedicine)

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2024 - ongoing Member Faculty People and Culture Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2023 - ongoing Chair School of Allied Health Science and Practice Programs Board University of Adelaide Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member AHPRA Program Accreditation Team Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Australia
    2019 - 2022 Co-Chair Teaching Specialist Community of Practice Flinders University Australia
    2018 - 2022 Chair College of Medicine and Public Health Student Progress Committee Flinders University Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2023 - ongoing Member Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Australia
    2023 - ongoing Member Adelaide Education Academy Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member Australasian College of Paramedicine Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member Prideaux Centre for Health Professions Education Australia
    2014 - ongoing Member Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide (HERGA) Australia

  • Community Engagement
    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2020 - ongoing ECG Training and Refresher Evening for Practice Nurses Public Community Engagement Southern Practice Nurses Network -
    2020 - 2025 Assessment & Reporting of The Deteriorating Patient: Training Day Public Community Engagement Ridleyton Greek for the Aged Australia

  • Consulting/Advisories
    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2019 - ongoing Ambulance Victoria Clinical Governance Health services and related Australia
    2015 - ongoing SA Ambulance Service Clinical Advisory Committee Health services and related Australia
    2010 - ongoing SA Ambulance Service Clinical Governance Health services and related Australia

  • Event Participation
    Date Event Name Event Type Institution Country
    2024 - 2024 ANZAHPE Conference 2025 Plenary or general session ANZAHPE Australia
    2012 - 2020 Annual Paramedic Field Day Function Flinders University Australia

  • Expert Witness
    Date Case Institution Country
    2008 - ongoing Paramedic professional rates claim, using work value and wage parity principles. Industrial Relations Commission - Full Bench Australia

  • Industry Partnerships
    Date Engagement Type Partner Name
    2019 - 2024 Collaboration Ambulance Victoria
    2006 - 2022 Collaboration SA Ambulance Service

  • Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice
    Date Title Type Institution Country
    2025 - ongoing ANZAHPE 2025 Pre-registration Teaching Awards Reviewer Peer Review ANZAHPE Australia
    2025 - 2025 ANZAHPE 2025 Post-registration Teaching Awards Reviewer Peer Review ANZAHPE Australia
    2025 - ongoing ANZAHPE 2025 Clinical Education Awards Reviewer Peer Review ANZAHPE Australia
    2025 - ongoing ANZAHPE 2025 Early Career Researcher Awards Reviewer Peer Review ANZAHPE Australia
    2025 - ongoing ANZAHPE 2025 Conference Abstract Submission Review Conference Review ANZAHPE Australia
    2025 - ongoing Journal Submission Review Journal Review BMC Medical Education United Kingdom
    2025 - ongoing Review of submission Journal Review Focus on Health Professions Education (FoHPE) Australia
    2025 - ongoing ANZAHPE Conference 2025 Conference Review University of Adelaide Australia
    2024 - ongoing Review of Journal Submission Peer Review Teaching and Learning in Medicine Journal United Kingdom
    2024 - ongoing 2024 ANZAHPE Grant Assessor Grant Assessment ANZAHPE Australia
    2024 - ongoing Abstract Reviews HERGA Conference 2024 Conference Review Higher Education Research Group of Adelaide Australia
    2024 - ongoing Teaching Review Program - Peer Assisted and Development Program (PARD-P) Peer Review University of Adelaide Australia
    2024 - ongoing Peer Reviewer - Teaching Review Program Peer Review University of Adelaide Australia
    2023 - ongoing Abstract Reviewer HERGA Conference 2023 Conference Review Higher education Research Group of Adelaide Australia
    2023 - ongoing Journal Submission Review Journal Review Paramedicine Journal United Kingdom
    2023 - ongoing Journal Submission Review Journal Review BMC Medical Education United Kingdom
    2022 - ongoing Journal Submission Review Journal Review Paramedicine Journal Australia
    2021 - ongoing Journal Submission Review Journal Review Australasian Journal of Paramedicine Australia
    2021 - ongoing Journal Submission Review Journal Review Australasian Journal of Paramedicine Australia
    2020 - ongoing Journal Submission Review Journal Review Australasian Journal of Paramedicine -
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83131777
  • Email: j.thompson@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Engineering and Maths. Sciences, floor Fourth Floor
  • Room: 408A
  • Org Unit: School of Allied Health Science and Practice
Connect With Me
External Profiles