Neroli Sunderland

Dr Neroli Sunderland is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research within the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University. She collaborates with Professor Johanna Westbrook on a NHMRC-funded project addressing unprofessional behavior in healthcare settings. Her research focuses on improving hospital culture, professional accountability, and patient safety through behavioral interventions. She holds a PhD in Medicine from the University of Sydney (2011) and a BVSc(Hons) from the same institution (2005).

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), University of Sydney, 2011
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours), University of Sydney, 2005

Research Interests:

Dr Sunderland’s work spans hospital culture transformation, reducing unprofessional behavior among healthcare staff, and maternal health research. She employs mixed-methods approaches to study organizational dynamics, staff experiences, and intervention efficacy. Her recent projects include analyzing sepsis epidemiology and evaluating electronic medication systems.

Key Projects:

• Creating a culture of safety and respect: A controlled study of behavioral accountability interventions (ongoing since 2017)
• MOCSI tool development for analyzing healthcare culture via electronic communication

Grants & Collaborations:

Active collaborations include work with Professor Braithwaite, Dr. Churruca, and others on national healthcare projects. Her research has been supported by NHMRC partnerships and institutional grants.