Dr Derith Harris
Senior Lecturer
Contact Details
Brief introduction
Derith Harris is a Senior Lecturer the University of Tasmania. She was formerly 10 years at Southern Health in the mental health program and the School of Nursing at The University of Melbourne. She has also held appointments at RMIT and Deakin University where she has coordinated and written mental health, community mental health and public health units at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has held senior positions in both hospital and community based organizations and has been awarded a number of prizes for her skills in the areas of clinical work, research, leadership and organizational development.
Derith has experience in working with industry partners and the supervision of higher degree by research students and is particularly interested in working with those with an interest in mental health issues people with English as a second language.
Summary of responsibilities
- Research and Higher Degrees Supervision
- Communication and Mental Health
- Community Health and Mental health
Academic qualifications
- PhD, The University of Melbourne, Victoria (2011)
- Credentialed Mental Health Nurse ( 2008 & 2013)
- Master of Education (Research ), La Trobe University, Victoria (1996)
- Bachelor of Education, La Trobe University, Victoria (1993)
- Diploma of General Nursing, Ballarat Base Hospital, Victoria (1984)
- Diploma of Mental Health Nursing, Royal Park Hospital , Victoria (1981)
Professional affiliations
- Fellow, and assessor Australian College of Mental Health Nursing
- Member, Royal College of Nursing
Teaching responsibilities
- Higher Degree Supervision
- Research and Philosophical Inquiry
- Mental Health Nursing
- Forensic Mental Health
- Social and Legal Issues of Mental Health
- Clinical Supervision
- Organizational Responsibility
- Nursing as a profession
- Rural and remote issues for mental health
Research interests
Derith’s research focus is in the areas of Forensic mental health, trauma, vicarious trauma, rehabilitation and crisis intervention. I have a keen interest in the individual and organizational responses to vicarious trauma, methods of prevention of vicarious trauma and the factors that influence these. She can work with a number of methodologies (Grounded Theory, qualitative, ethnography and explorative descriptive designs).
Grants awarded ($315,000)
- Harris, D.M., Chug, J., Allen, N. (2010). Scoping study of clinical supervision courses in South Eastern Victoria. Monash University, $20,000.
- Hoppner, K., Reed, F., Keppich-Arnold, S., Harris, D., Barnfiled, J., Lampitt, S., & Maude, P. (2010) Development and evaluation of a program to mentor and train nurse practitioner candidates in Victoria. Department of Human Services Victoria in collaboration with 4 mental health services $45,000
- Harris, D (1995).Service development at Bethlehem Hospital. Funding from Department of Human Services , Victorian Government $250,000
Prizes achieved
- Stan Alchin award for research prize. (2011) ACMHN runner– up.
- Victorian Premiers award (2009) special mention.
- Southern Health prize for innovative education programme that respond to workplace need (2008) Won.
- Statewide nursing excellence award for Mental Health Nurse of the year (nominated by graduate class of 2008) Shortlisted.
- Stan Alchin award for research prize. ANZCMHN (2000) Runner up.
- Nursing care awards – team award for excellence in nursing care (1995).
Publications - Journal articles
- Harris, D.M. (2011) Working with people who have killed. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. Vol 20, S12, Oct 2011, pp 7.
- Harris, D.M. & Pavlou, C. (2010) Meeting workforce demand in mental health, Australian Nursing Journal, 18 (3), p 43.
- Harris, D.M. & Price S. (2008) Bringing It All Together: The Link between Transformational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. Vol 17, S12, Oct 2008, pp A.
- Harris, D.M. (2000) Interviewed by Adelaide advertiser. “Making the transition to community living for Forensic Patients”.
- Harris, D.M., & Happell, BM. (1999) Hospital Based psychiatric experience before community based practice for nurses: imperative or dispensable?” Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 20(5), 495-504
- Harris, D.M., & Happell, BM. (1999). The skills required for conducting a Community Psychiatric Nursing assessment: a Qualitative study. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing 16 (4)
Publications - Multimedia productions
- Harris, D. & Chugg, J. (2012) Using performance to highlight real life - collaboration between a theatre and health services to develop clinical skills – an Australian experience. INTED 2012 Abstracts CD ISBN: 978-84-615-5562-8.
- Harris, D. & Chugg, J. (2012) Using performance to highlight real life - collaboration between a theatre and health services to develop clinical skills – an Australian experience INTED 2012 Proceedings CD ISBN: 978-84-615-5563-5.
Thesis
- Harris, D.M. (1996) The baseline skills of community psychiatric Nurses – a qualitative study. Masters of Education, La Trobe University Melbourne, Victoria.
- Harris, D.M., (2011) Prisoners of Loneliness; the transition of forensic patients to community living. Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Melbourne, Victoria.
Conferences and seminars
Key Note / Invited Presentations
- Harris, D.M. (2011) Working with vulnerable research populations people who have killed. Invited Speaker. Mental Health and Ethics Seminar series, Monash University @ the Alfred.
- Harris D.M & Maude, P. (2004) Reflective practice and organisational development. International Conference of the Australian & New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, Canberra. Invited to present the Research Workshop.
- Harris, D.M., (2004). The issues of Transition – the story so far. Invited speaker, Research Seminar, Forensicare, Melbourne
- Harris, D.M. (2004) Making the transition to community living – the issues for forensic patients. Graduate dip community mental health program, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne. Invited Guest Speaker
- Harris, D.M. (2004). The issues of Transition – the story so far. Invited speaker, Research Seminar 27/3/2004, Forensicare, Melbourne
- Harris, D.M. (2004) Rehabilitation in Forensic Mental Health. Southern Health Mental Health Nursing Research Seminar. Invited Guest Speaker.
- Harris, D.M. (2003) Working with people who have killed. Invited Speaker Deakin University researchers Seminar series, Alfred Hospital.
- Harris, D.M. (2002) Rehabilitation in Forensic Mental Health – the Australian Experience. Invited Guest, Broadmoor Hospital, United Kingdom. Paper presented.
- Harris, D.M. (2000) The Unlovely and Unloved – working with Forensic Patients. Nursing Research Seminar, Victoria University, Invited Speaker
- Harris, D.M. & Happell, B.M.(1995) “Youth Homelessness”. An invited guest to Health Issues for Nurses Conference. Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne. Presented.
- Harris D.M.(1995). The client and family with MND - a community nurses perspective. Motor Neurone Disease Association International conference. Invited Guest, Auckland, New Zealand. Invited Presenter.
- Harris, D.M. (2004) Making the transition to community living – the issues for forensic patients. Graduate dip community mental health program, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne. Invited Guest Speaker
- Harris, D.M. (2004) Rehabilitation in Forensic Mental Health. Southern Health Mental Health Nursing Research Seminar. Invited Guest Speaker.
Conference presentations
- Harris, D. M and Chugg, J. (2012) Using performance to highlight real life - collaboration between a theatre and health services to develop clinical skills – an Australian experience. Paper presented at 6th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, March 5-7th, 2012 Valencia, Spain.
- Harris, D.M. (2011) Working with people who have killed. ACMHN 37th International Mental Health Nursing Conference “Swimming between the Flags” Gold Coast, Queensland.
- Harris, D.M. (2011) Working with people who have killed. ACMHN 37th International Mental Health Nursing Conference “Swimming between the Flags” Winner of Stan Alchin research Prize – runner up.
- Harris, D.M. (2002) The issues of Community transition for people who have both a forensic history and mental illness. International conference against stigma in mental illness. September, Leipzig, Germany. Paper presented.
- Harris, D.M. (2002) Prisoners of Loneliness – making the transition to community living for forensic patients. International conference, Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Sydney. Paper presented.
- Harris, D.M. (2001) The transition to community Living by Forensic patients – the patient interviews”. Runner up for the Stan Alchin Award. Research prize International Conference of ANZCMHN, Melbourne. Paper presented.
- Harris, D., & Maude, P. (2001). The pitfalls and pleasures of establishing an ethical research culture: conducting research with vulnerable groups. 27th Conference of the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, Melbourne, Victoria, 1st to 5th October 2001.
- Harris, D.M. (2000) Data collection in an unfriendly environment – issues for reference groups. International Forensic Nursing Conference, Adelaide. Forensic Nursing Conference, Adelaide South Australia. Paper presented.
- Harris, D., Maude, P., & Happell, B. (1999).The impact of substance use in the management of forensic clients with mental illness. The 1999 International Forensic Mental Health Conference, 18th to 19thMarch 1999, Melbourne, Australia.
- Harris, D.M. (1996) Community Psychiatric Nursing Assessment. Australia and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, Auckland.
- Harris, D.M., and Happell, BM. (1995) Nocturnal Kids, Nocturnal Nurses. Edith Cowan University, Health and Well-being in a Diverse Society, Perth, W.A. Presented.
- Harris, D.M. & Happell, BM. (1993) Storming St. Kilda on the Burdekin Bus. First International Conference of Psychiatric Nursing Melbourne Hilton on the Park, RMIT. Presented
- Harris, D.M. & Happell, BM. (1993) Health Education on the Streets: A Study in the Health Education of Homeless Children. Australian and New Zealand Association of Medical Educators, Suva, Fiji. Presented.
- Harris, D.M. & Happell, BM. (1993). Where do I come from? A causal study in Youth Homelessness. Australia and New Zealand Family Therapists Conference, Canberra. Presented.
- Harris, D.M. & Happell, BM. (1993) Bus Stop No. 1 for Mental Health. Annual Conference of College of Mental Health Nurses, Sydney. Presented.
- Harris, D.M. & Happell, BM. (1993) Trade Your Uniform for Bike Shorts and a Dodgers Cap: Adapting Nursing Practice to the Reality of Homeless Youth. Shaping the Future of Nursing, Melbourne, Australia. Presented La Trobe University Nursing Conference
- Harris, D.M. & Price, S. (2008) Bringing It All Together: The Link between Transformational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. Australian College of Mental Health Nurses 34 annual internal conference. Presented paper.
- Harris, D. & Ramasamy, S. (2008) Practice development in a mental health setting. Royal College of Nursing, Perth Australia. Paper presented.
- Harris, D.M. & Maloney, C. (2005) Making the transition to Mental Health Nursing. International Conference on Leadership in Nursing, Sydney, Australia. Presented.
- Harris, D.M. & Maloney, C. (2005) Competency Based Learning in Mental Health Nursing International Conference on Leadership in Nursing, Sydney Australia. Presented
- Harris, D. M. & Pavlou, C. (2005) Can you move the base of the mountain without moving the top? International Conference Clinical supervision, Cape Shank, Victoria. Presented
- Harris, D.M., Maude, P., & Happell, BM. (1999) The Impact of Substance Use in the Management of Forensic Clients with a Mental Illness. International Conference of Forensic Psychiatry, Melbourne, March. Paper presented.
- Harris, D.M. (1996) Neurological Care in Home. Ausmed Medical Conference, Melbourne. Paper presented.
- Harris D.M. (1996) Community Nursing Assessment. Australian Council of Community Nursing Services, Hobart - Paper presented.
- Harris D.M. (1996). The Client and Family with MND. Australian Council of Community Nursing Services, Hobart - Paper presented.
- Harris D.M (1996) Future Directions in Neurological Care. Bethlehem Hospital Neurological Seminar. Paper presented.
- Harris D.M. (1994) The Client with MND. The Provision of Nursing Care in the Community. Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia conference, Melbourne, Australia Presented.
- Harris, D.M., & Happell, BM. (1994) Research in Academia - Problems and Issues. Second International Conference of Psychiatric Nursing, Melbourne. Presented.
