Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative

Our People

Meet the people who are leading the Global Nursing Initiative and others who are contributing to the work.

Advancing the scope of practice and influence of nurses and midwives is a collective effort. We are grateful for the support and contribution of a diverse range of colleagues – practitioners, researchers and leaders in different spheres. 

Co-Directors

The Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative is a collaboration between Nursing Studies and the Global Health Academy. It is led by two directors:

Portrait of Aisha Holloway

Aisha is Professor of Nursing Studies and Head of Nursing Studies and Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She is the Nursing Now Programme Director: Research and Evidence for Effective Practice. This 3 year global campaign partners with ICN and WHO. Her research programme has a global public health and alcohol related harm focus with a strong professional health policy and political nurse leadership and workforce interest.​

Speaking about the Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative

"This initiative matters more than ever in an uncertain geopolitical landscape. It offers us an opportunity to work in partnership in and between countries to advance and strengthen the nursing workforce as caring pioneers, scientists, influencers and drivers of change. Together we can make a difference."

Useful links

Photo of Liz Grant

Liz is one of the University’s Assistant Principals with a remit for Global Health. She is Director of the Global Health Academy and a co-director of the Global Compassion Initiative. Liz is involved in post graduate teaching across disciplines, and in programme development especially with partners in lower income regions. Her research spans global palliative care, planetary health, the Sustainable Development Goals and health systems. Liz worked as a Senior Health Advisor in the Scottish Government’s International Development Division and led global health work for NHS Lothian Public Health.

Speaking about the Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative

“The EGNI provides a step change in the University's commitment to the global health workforce and it’s recognition of the power of the global nursing community to shape the future of health and healthcare.”

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Advisors

The Global Nursing Initiative is supported by advisors who bring expertise, networks and insight to our work.

Portrait of Pam Smith

Pam is Nursing Studies Professorial Fellow, International Lead and former Head, Visiting Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Maribor and President, International Collaboration for Community Health Nursing Research (ICCHNR). She has worked internationally as a nurse, teacher and researcher including Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Nepal and the USA. Pam’s areas of research and postgraduate supervision include global public health, international development, migration, health care workforce, nurse education, leadership and the emotional labour of nursing.

Speaking about the Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative

"I am delighted to be part of this initiative and to share its international vision to inspire nurses and midwives at this critical time for the world."

Useful links

Jim Buchan Headshot

Prof Buchan has specialized in nurse workforce policy and analysis throughout his career. He is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Health Foundation, and Adjunct Professor at the WHO Collaborating Centre at UTS, Australia; he works as a consultant and policy adviser on health workforce issues for governments, and for international agencies such as ICN, WHO, and World Bank.

He has worked in more than fifty countries. He is also Editor in Chief of “Human Resources for Health” the peer reviewed journal affiliated with WHO. His background includes working as a senior manager in the National Health Service in Scotland; senior policy analyst at the Royal College of  Nursing, (RCN), UK;  and as a  specialist adviser to  Health Workforce Australia, a federal government agency. He has also worked for WHO in Geneva and in Copenhagen .

His recent publications include: