School of Rural Medicine
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BALibStud; GCOrgComm; MA; GCULM; DComm Peter’s career started in media, health promotion and public health. He was CEO of a Division of General Practice, developing and managing projects focused on preventative care, chronic disease management, rehabilitation, prescribing and business management. He worked with CSU as a communication lecturer, administrator and researcher. He has led more than 20 funded research studies and published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers, conference presentations and book chapters. He has taught strategic communication to some of Australia’s leading public and private organisations. He has supervised 4 Doctoral students to completion, 4 Honours, more than 20 Masters, and hundreds of undergraduate major works. Peter has presented his research in most continents of the world and was a Charles Sturt University Research Fellow 2019-2021. Peter focuses on researching community health opportunities and social prescribing, supporting research students and their supervisors, and helping to align staff and student research with community needs and priorities. In the community Peter campaigns for development in several spheres including community-based opportunities for health and wellbeing, protection and enhancement of green spaces, and making active transport safer and more comfortable. Peter is an experienced teacher and research supervisor, publisher/editor and research developer. He provides support and supervision to MD students conducting their research projects, and also to their supervisors. In 2008 Peter was the first Australian to receive a Joao Havelange research scholarship from FIFA for an international study of sport officiating practices. In 2023 his 4 minute video ‘What players want in a referee’ and analyses from the study were still being used by the Football Federation of Australia to train Level 3 referees. Peter has used qualitative and quantitative research, and deep policy analysis methods in diverse contexts (including surgery and general practice, sport, local government, beach and ocean management) to collect evidence and insights for policy and decision-making. Between 2016 and 2020 he led a series of studies of community sentiment for NSW Department of Primary Industries that contributed to substantial policy changes in the management of sharks. Peter recently completed studies focused on mental health and wellbeing in rural and remote settings, including a major study for the National Mental health Commission on the impacts of COVID 19 on rural and remote communities, and approaches to mental wellbeing of rural small business people. Peter’s main research interests are:
Medical Evaluation and Research Unit
Associate Professor Peter Simmons
Associate Professor in Medicine
Orange
Building 1008, Room 250