Anna Girardi

Dr Anna Girardi is a Lecturer in Speech Pathology and Practice Education Coordinator at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), School of Health and Medical Sciences. Affiliated with the Centre for Health Research and Institute for Resilient Regions, she combines clinical practice in aged care, acute, and rehabilitation settings with translational research to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she teaches across the speech pathology program's second and third years.

Her educational background includes:

• BA(Psych) from Griffith University (2006)
• PGDipPsych from Bond University (2008)
• MSpchPath from the University of Queensland (2011)
• PhD from the University of Queensland (2016)

Dr Girardi's research centers on dysphagia across pediatric and mental health contexts, with pioneering work on button battery safety and innovative applications of artificial intelligence in speech pathology assessment. She actively bridges clinical practice and research, focusing on vulnerable populations through projects like The MIND Project (Mental Illness, Ingestion Injury, and Dysphagia). Her national advocacy for button battery safety has garnered significant Australian and international media attention, amplifying public awareness of this critical safety issue.

Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strategic shift toward AI-driven dysphagia diagnostics and compassionate care models in speech pathology education, while her foundational work (2015-2017) established critical protocols for managing pediatric ingestion injuries. This trajectory demonstrates her commitment to evolving clinical practice through technological innovation and patient-centered approaches.

Her notable achievements include:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (Australian Government, 2013)

Dr Girardi currently supervises a Master's student researching singing teachers' voice self-care practices. She has secured substantial funding including the 2024 UniSQ Early Career Researcher Seed Grant for dysphagia management in psychiatric inpatients, an Ipswich Hospital Foundation Grant (2024), and multiple Centre for Health Research Small Grants (2023-2024) focused on AI applications and dysphagia in mental health settings. Her grant portfolio demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration with mental health, forensic services, and hospital networks.

Through her role as University Representative for Speech Pathology Australia QLD Branch and active membership in the Dysphagia Research Society and ASHA International Affiliate, she shapes professional standards while advancing clinical practice. Her advocacy work extends beyond academia into public health policy, making her a pivotal figure in both clinical speech pathology and community safety initiatives.