DCur (UJ); FFNM (RCSI); fANSA

Category: Academic; Research Leader; Nursing Education; Caring Science Scholar

Area of specialisation: Area of specialisation Research methodology and postgraduate supervision; Caring Science and Human Caring; nursing leadership; nursing education; curriculum development; patient-centred care; health systems research; qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research; evidence-based practice.

Current position and institutional affiliation: Professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa.

Email Address: charlened@uj.ac.za

Qualifications: D.Cur (Nursing), University of Johannesburg

Professor Downing is an internationally recognised nursing scholar whose work is dedicated to advancing excellence in nursing education, Caring Science, and research capacity development across Africa. Her vision is to strengthen the nursing profession by fostering compassionate, evidence-informed leadership, supporting the development of emerging nurse researchers, and promoting innovative research that improves patient outcomes and health system performance. As a leader within ANSA, she is committed to nurturing the next generation of nurse scientists, strengthening interdisciplinary and international collaborations, enhancing the global visibility of African nursing scholarship, and ensuring that research informs policy, education, and clinical practice to advance equitable, person-centred healthcare

Research methodology and postgraduate supervision; Caring Science and Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring; nursing education and curriculum development; nursing leadership and professional development; patient-centred care and quality improvement; evidence-based practice; qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research; conceptual framework and model development; research ethics; capacity building and mentorship of emerging nurse researchers.