Professor Deborah Kirk
Professor, Nursing and Head of Discipline
Campus
Biography
Professor Deborah Kirk is a professor of Nursing, Head of Discipline, and an endorsed nurse practitioner, with extensive experience across clinical practice, nursing education, leadership and health research. Deborah’s work is grounded in a strong commitment to improving health outcomes, advancing evidence‑based nursing practice and supporting wellbeing across diverse populations.
Drawing on her background as a nurse practitioner, her research expertise includes cancer and cancer survivorship, chronic conditions and mobile applications. Deborah has a strong track record of collaborative research and higher degree supervision, working with national and international partners to generate evidence that informs clinical practice, policy and education. She is especially committed to research that amplifies patient and clinician voices and supports meaningful translation into practice.
As an academic and clinical leader, Deborah is deeply invested in building supportive and inclusive environments across health and university settings. She is known for her collegial approach to leadership, mentoring early‑career academics and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Her teaching and supervision emphasise critical thinking, compassionate care and the integration of research with clinical practice.
Deborah’s broader professional interests include kindness in leadership through her servant leadership style, staff wellbeing and strengthening the future nursing workforce in Australia and internationally.
More about Deborah
Qualifications
- Graduate Certificate in Public Health, University of Technology Sydney (Australia)
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing, Troy University (USA)
- Master of Science, Nursing, Troy University (USA)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of South Alabama (USA)
Areas of interest
- Cancer and cancer survivorship
- Chronic illness
- Translation of research into clinical and educational practice
- Regional health
Grants
- Whitehead, Kirk, Nguyen, Weiting, Chejor. 2023. CALD consumers and carers cancer information needs: A mixed methods systematic review. WA Department of Health. ($23,529)
- McKay, Pedlow, McCavery, White, Kirk. 2022. Nurse Practitioner Student Telehealth Simulation Education Project. ECU teaching and learning grant. ($4,196)
- Coventry, Broderick, Frances, Gent, Kirk, Makate, Whitehead. 2022. Assessing the suitability of oncology patients to be managed by a Symptom and Urgent Review Clinic: A cohort study, a thematic analysis and economic analysis. SCGH. ($30,000)
- Coventry, Broderick, Frances, Gent, Kirk, Brown, Makate, Whitehead. 2022. Assessing the suitability of oncology patients to be managed by a rapid access clinic. SCGH. ($9,703.79).
Current
- PhD student, Federation University, 'Menstrual hygiene management for reproductive aged people with a disability', associate supervisor.
- PhD student, ECU, 'Role of the Nurse in the Transition from Curative to Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer: A Theory Synthesis' associate supervisor.
Past
- PhD student, Edith Cowan University, 'Perceptions on the use of hypnotherapy for managing physical and psychological symptoms as part of supportive care during the cancer treatment phase', primary supervisor.
- PhD student, ECU, 'Understanding Needs, facilitators and barriers to self-management among people living with type 2 diabetes in Blantyre and Lilongwe, Malawi', associate supervisor.
- PhD student, ECU, 'Patient’s experiences with home-based monoclonal antibody (MAB) infusion therapy', Associate Supervisor
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'Using a pain tracking app in an adult oncology pain clinic', primary supervisor.
- DNP student, Yale University, 'Advancement of Cancer Nursing in Botswana, Africa: Determining Cancer Nursing Competencies for Priority in Optimizing Cancer Care', committee member.
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'Evaluation of oncology care providers' knowledge of the distress screening process for cancer patients', primary supervisor.
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'The impact of clinical relevance on the accreditation survey process', Primary supervisor.
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'Evaluation of changes in knowledge, perceived competency and level of concern, following twenty hours of training in generalist palliative care for practicing clinicians', primary supervisor.
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'Assessment of weight gain in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer during first year of adjuvant hormonal therapy', primary supervisor.
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'Using evidence-based guidelines for managing and treating females with overactive bladder', primary supervisor.
- DNP Student, University of Alabama at Brimingham,'The Development and Testing of a Tool to Measure and Improve Performance Standards for Nonpregnant Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Outpatient Community Primary Care Practice', primary supervisor
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'Metabolic syndrome X: Predicting those at risk', primary supervisor.
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, Improved blood pressure control through patient empowerment. primary supervisor.
- DNP student, University of Alabama at Brimingham, 'A retrospective chart review: Identifying risk factors for breast cancer in a selected African American women population for the development of a risk assessment tool for primary care providers', primary supervisor.
- Nurse practitioner
- Nursing
- Evidence-based practice
Professional association memberships
- MASCC
- ACN
- ONS
- AANP
- Publications
The Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer work after cancer global challenges and solutions white paper: key findings and recommendations
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1007/s00520-026-10623-z