Professor James Semmens

BSc, MSc, PhD, Grad Dip Ed, GAICD

James.Semmens@curtin.edu.au

• Biography

  James is the Director of the Centre for Population Health Research at Curtin University. A key focus of his work includes the use of record linked data to support Health Services Research. His research focus includes: health informatics (data linkage and spatial information), health services research, patient care and safety, clinical accountability, medication safety, patient blood management, sexual violence, ageing and Indigenous health. His current roles include: Program leader for the ongoing development of data linkage infrastructure in Western Australia; Program leader for the Centre for Data Linkage within the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy for Population Health Research; and is a member of the Scientific R&D Committee for the CRC-Autism (2013-2016). He was a previous Director of the International Health Data Linkage Network (2011-2012); and initiated and led the Health Program within the CRC Spatial Information (Scientific Director 2008-2012).  His other key achievements include the co-initiator and director of the WA Safety and Quality of Surgical Care Project and the co-initiator and manager of the Western Australia Audit of Surgical Mortality which has now become a national project.
  
  His research output includes more than 589 scientific works, including 250 scientific papers published or 'in press', 287 conference presentations and has contributed to provision of research grants totalling around $45 million.
  
  In addition to his vast experience in health research and extensive professional network, James is an integral part of the gynae-oncology research group working through at the IHR with Professor Paul Cohen.