Research output per year
Research output per year
Research activity per year
Sonja has a diverse background in emergency healthcare after working in ambulance services both nationally and internationally including various roles as a critical care paramedic and within senior management. Sonja’s main area of interests are in policy development and evidence based guidelines for clinicians in the health field.
Sonja has proven skills in project management, research and leadership. Over the past ten years she has held several leadership roles within academia. Her current role is the Associate Head of School for Paramedicine.
Sonja completed a PhD which investigated guideline use by paramedics. Sonja has also led several large-scale research projects over recent years. These notably included:
Sonja is a reviewer for several journals, including the Irish Journal of Paramedicine, the Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, the Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services, and the Australian Journal of Rural Health. She is also a member of the SNPHS Research Committee, Regional Work and Organisational Resilience, the Paramedicine Council of Deans, the Australian College of Paramedicine Paramedics Australasia. She jointly hosts TRIP Podcasts on Paramedicine.com with colleague Marc Colbeck.
Sonja supervises students at all levels of study. Her current students' topics include reviewing guidelines and evidence for the following topics: Cardiogenic shock, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, acute coronary syndrome, thrombolytics in paramedicine, palliative care guidelines and first nation peoples' health and wellness. She is also interested in gender and feminist studies and has students researching: Gender diversity in students, workplace sexual harassment, and women in leadership positions in paramedicine.
Sonja has a keen interest in curriculum development and course structure management. At CSU, she redesigned the undergraduate paramedic course, added an online version, and created the Masters of Paramedicine articulated degree. Both of these courses are extremely innovative and offer a new dimension to the ability of paramedics to complete their education. It's also these changes in education that then go on to drive industry change. With the registration of paramedics now compulsory in Australia, these programs will become intrinsically essential to advancing the profession.
Sonja's teaching passion is cardiology, and her teaching style is fun, personable and interactive; she is keen to use new technologies to assist students learning. Sonja has over 100K subscribers to her YouTube channel that hosts simulations of learning and videos that Sonja has made to demonstrate paramedic skills. Many of these subscribers work in environments with limited access to paramedic education, and Sonja is a firm believer in open access and global mentorship.
Sonja also mentors international students in cardiology and has several currently in the UK working through her online programs within social media.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education, Graduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher , Charles Sturt University
Award Date: 22 Oct 2021
Paramedicine, PhD, Paramedic’s Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making in using Clinical Protocols and Guidelines, Flinders University
Award Date: 02 Apr 2020
Clinical Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education, Flinders University
Award Date: 17 Nov 2016
Paramedicine, Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic), Charles Sturt University
Award Date: 10 Oct 2007
Managing Editor, International Journal of Paramedicine
2022 → …
Member Editorial Board, Journal of Intensive Care Research
2022 → …
University Representative, Australian Council or Paramedic Deans
2021 → …
Chair of the Australasian Clinical Guidelines Committee, Australasian College of Paramedicine
2020 → …
Research output: Other contribution to conference › Presentation only › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Professional blog or online forum
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Professional blog or online forum
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Professional blog or online forum
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Professional blog or online forum
Maria, Sonja (Recipient), 11 Feb 2020
Prize: Grant › Successful
Maria, Sonja (Recipient), Oct 2019
Prize: Award › Internal award
Sonja Maria (Reviewer)
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Peer review responsibility, including review panel or committee
Sonja Maria (Reviewer)
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Peer review responsibility, including review panel or committee
Sonja Maria (Reviewer)
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Peer review responsibility, including review panel or committee
Sonja Maria (Reviewer)
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Peer review responsibility, including review panel or committee
Sonja Maria (Creator)
Activity: Engagement & professional development › Delivery of advanced professional development › Academic
Clare Sutton, Ruth Townsend, Natalia Bilton, Sonja Maria & Phillip Ebbs
09/09/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
28/09/15 → 30/03/16
2 items of Media coverage, 2 Media contributions
Press/Media: Press / Media
25/09/15
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
24/01/13
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Sonja Maria (Creator)
Impact: Public policy Impact, Other Impact
Sonja Maria (Creator), Norm Wilkinson (Participant), George Cliquot (Participant), Ashley Denham (Participant), Laura Triffett (Participant), Kristy Shearer (Participant), Andrew Hodgett (Participant), Joelen Gott (Participant), Riosie McEachern (Participant), Ricardo Galeano (Participant), James Thompson (Participant), Emma-Cate Thornley (Participant), Tony Ward (Participant), Jeremy Taylor (Participant), Steve Whitfield (Participant), Marc Colbeck (Creator), Lyle Brewster (Participant) & Brian Sengstock (Participant)
Impact: Other Impact
Sonja Maria (Creator)
Impact: Other Impact, Public policy Impact
Sonja Maria (Creator) & Marc Colbeck (Creator)
Impact: Cultural Impact