Dr Alison Short

School-based Researcher: School of Humanities and Communication Arts

MARCS Research Program: Music Cognition and Action

Biography

As an academic music therapist and health services researcher, I am passionate about research and its capacity to inform the evidence base and education, changing health care practices in the future via translational knowledge.

My doctoral research focused on music therapy in cardiac rehabilitation, and I have further interests across a broad range of areas including the auditory environment and public health. Interprofessional research has related to areas such as consumer-oriented chronic disease management and cultural issues in health. Research capacity building and knowledge dissemination in the clinical setting are fundamental to evidence based practice.

Employing qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches, I have produced 60 formal publications, including articles in peer-reviewed journals (29), book chapters (4) and published refereed conference papers (12).

Research Interests

• Use of music and music therapy in cardiac rehabilitation
• Auditory environment and public health
• Clinical applications of music therapy
• Research capacity building, including translational research processes
• Health literacy; culture and health
• Innovative approaches to evidence-based music therapy training

Qualifications and Honours

• Visiting Fellow, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University
• Conjoint Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health & Community Medicine, University of New South Wales
• Editorial Board Member, Australian Journal of Music Therapy (ongoing)
• Invited Keynote Speaker: Association for Music and Imagery (USA) conference, Vancouver, 2013
• Honorary Life Member, Music and Imagery Association of Australia (2013)
• Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching, University of New South Wales (2012)
• Invited inaugural member, Women in Research (Mid-Career) Program, UNSW (2006 – 2008)
• PhD, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney (2003)
• National President, Australian Music Therapy Association (1996 - 1999)
• Registered Guided Imagery and Music Therapist (1997)
• Foundational member, Music and Imagery Association of Australia (1994)
• Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery (USA) (1989)
• Board Certified Music Therapy, Certification Board for Music Therapists (USA) (1991)
• MA (Music Therapy), New York University, School of Education, Health, Nursing and Arts Professions (1987)
• Registered Music Therapist, Australian Music Therapy Association (1982)
• BMus (Music Therapy), University of Melbourne (1982)
• Associate of Music Australia (Piano), Australian Music Examinations Board (1977)

Roles

• Lecturer, Master of Creative Music Therapy, Western Sydney University
• Research Fellow, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW (2009-2012)
• Visiting Fellow, The Australian National University (2009-2012)

Full Publications

For a full listing of my publications please see my personal publications pages below:

Google Scholar
ResearchGate

Contact Alison