Professor Joanna Smith RGN, RSCN, MSc (Hons), BSC (Hons), PhD
Professor of Nursing in Child Health
Summary
I am a registered adult and children’s nurse with extensive leadership experience both in NHS settings (primarily supporting children with complex surgical needs) and academia. My joint appointment between Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust enables me to use my experiences to support nurses to develop the confidence and capabilities to embed research into practice and education.
I co-lead the Child, Young Person and Family Group within the Centre for Applied Health & Social Care Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences. My specific research interests relate to developing interventions to support children, young people and families in the context of childhood long-term / life-limiting conditions.
ORCID ID
About
I was appointed as Professor of Nursing in Child Health as joint appointment between Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in October 2023, with a specific remit to shape the nursing research agenda and build on existing collaborations between both organisations. Before joining SHU, I worked for over 15 years in the NHS leading and developing services for children with long-term conditions and complex surgical needs in acute care settings. With a natural progression to academia, I have worked in several Universities over two decades, drawing on my clinical experience to inform both teaching and research. I am passionate about ensuring nurses use the best available evidence to underpin practice, and developing the next generation of nurse researchers.
I co-lead the Child, Young Person and Family Group; group members undertake national/international Applied Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ to inform policy and clinical practice in children and young people's long-term condition management. We use age/developmentally appropriate qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods to undertake research that improve clinical outcomes for children with long-term conditions, specifically in the co-design, co-production and evaluation of digital self-management interventions. My research focuses on developing interventions in relation to two areas:
1) Involving children, young people with a long-term condition and families in care decisions;
2) Interventions, in particular digital applications, to support children and young people with life limiting / threatening conditions that meet their psychological and existential needs.
My academic outputs include over 90 publications including peer review journal articles (H-index 23 / i10 index 35), authored book and book chapters, and over 50 conference presentations. I am particularly keen to support nurses to share research findings/ service improvements and good practice through presenting and publishing.
Teaching
School of Health and Social Care
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
I am an experienced lecturer, particularly known for explaining qualitative research methods in a meaningful way to both under and postgraduate students. I embed my own research into teaching for example contributing to resources / delivering sessions on the MSc Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care.
Department of Nursing and Midwifery
/about-us/academic-departments/allied-health-professionals
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Murray C., Wang R., Smith, J., Tompson, A., Barrett E, Kuczer W, Howlett E. Improving asthma diagnosis using a home based testing strategy - a feasibility study. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ for Patient), National Institute Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ funding, £237 113, 2022- ongoing.
Rodriguez, A.; Smith, J.; McSherry, W.; Tatterton, M.; Jimenez-Aranda, A.; Watts. L.; Kellehear, A. The qualitative DIGNITAL study: Amending and Developing Dignity Therapy for Young Adults with Life Limiting Conditions. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ for Patient Benefits, National Institute Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ funding, £149 998, 2020- 2023.
Rodriguez, A.; Smith, J., Tatterton, M. The DIGNITAL study: Developing DIGNITAL to support Young Adults with neurodegenerative Life-Limiting Conditions and their family carers. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ for Patient Benefits (top up funds), National Institute Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ funding, £22,450.00 (2021-22)
Top publications
Rodriguez, A. M., Kellehear, A., Lanfranchi, V., McSherry, W., Tatterton, M., Watts MBE, L., Yaziji, N., Smith, J. (2023). The Qualitative DIGNISPACE Study: The Co-Design of a Life Review, Meaning-Making and Legacy Leaving Digital Intervention for Young People with Life-Limiting Conditions. Illness, Crisis & Loss, Epub.
Watts, L., Rodriguez. A., Tatterton, M., Mc Sherry, W., Smith, J. (2020) Stakeholder perceptions of Dignity Therapy for children and young people with life-limiting conditions study. Integrative Therapies in Palliative Care, Epub.
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J. & McDermid, K. (2018) Dignity therapy interventions for young people in palliative care: a rapid structured evidence review. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 24, 112-121.
UK research collaborations with colleagues at the Universities of Leeds, Staffordshire, Manchester and Northumbria. International research collaborations with colleagues in New Zealand based at Auckland University, and colleagues in Copenhagen Denmark at Aarhus University / Roskilde University and Hvidovre and Amager Hvidovre Hospital.
Publications
Key Publications
Rodriguez, A.M., Kellehear, A., Lanfranchi, V., McSherry, W., Tatterton, M., Watts MBE, L., ... Smith, J. (2023). . Illness, crisis & loss.
Watts, L., Smith, J., McSherry, W., Tatterton, M., & Rodriguez, A. (2020). . OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 5 (1).
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J., & McDermid, K. (2018). . International journal of palliative nursing, 24 (7), 339-349.
Smith, J., Cheater, F., & Bekker, H. (2015). Parents' experiences of living with a child with hydrocephalus: a cross-sectional interview-based study. Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 18 (5), 1709-1720.
Smith, J., Cheater, F., Bekker, H., & Chatwin, J. (2015). Are parents and professionals making shared decisions about a child's care on presentation of a suspected shunt malfunction: a mixed method study? Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 18 (5), 1299-1315.
Smith, J., Cheater, F., & Bekker, H. (2015). Parents' experiences of living with a child with a long-term condition: a rapid structured review of the literature. Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 18 (4), 452-474.
Journal articles
Barnard, M., Smith, J., & Long, T. (2025). . Death Studies, 1-14.
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2025). . Evidence Based Journals.
Bjerregaard, M., Poulsen, I., Carlsen, E., Esparza, A., Smith, J., & Brødsgaard, A. (2025). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Involvement and Engagement, 11 (1).
Smith, J., & Noble, H. (2025). . Evidence-based nursing.
Rodriguez, A., Tatterton, M.J., & Smith, J. (2024). . Evidence-based nursing.
Smith, J., & Oshea, B. (2024). . Evidence-based nursing, ebnurs-2024.
Smith, J., & O'Shea, B. (2024). . Evidence-based nursing, ebnurs-2024.
Peat, G., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2023). . Palliative Medicine, 37 (7), 1016-1024.
Pinto, A., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2022). . Evidence-based nursing, 25 (2), 41-43.
Barrett, D., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2021). . Evidence-based nursing, 24 (1), 1-2.
Noble, H.R., & Smith, J. (2021). . Journal of advanced nursing, 77 (9), e21-e23.
Smith, J., Ali, P., Birks, Y., Curtis, P., Fairbrother, H., Kirk, S., ... Swallow, V. (2020). . Journal of Advanced Nursing.
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J., & Barrett, D. (2020). . Evidence-based nursing, 23 (2), 35-37.
Peat, G., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2019). . Evidence-based nursing, 22 (1), 7-9.
Peat, G., Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2019). . BMJ supportive & palliative care, 9 (3), 235-244.
Smith, J., & Dransfield, A. (2019). . Evidence-based nursing, 22 (3), 65-66.
Vasey, J., Smith, J., Kirshbaum, M.N., & Chirema, K. (2019). . Journal of clinical nursing, 28 (9-10), 1491-1505.
Watts, L., Rodriguez, A., Tatterton, M., McSherry, W., & Smith, J. (2019). . Evidence-based nursing, 22 (2), 33-35.
Smith, J., & Kendal, S. (2018). . Journal of pediatric nursing, 43, 36-44.
Foster, M., Smith, J., & Neill, S. (2018). Letter to Editor. Journal of pediatric nursing, 43, A9.
Rodriguez, A., & Smith, J. (2018). . Evidence-based nursing, 21 (4), 96-98.
Coad, J., Smith, J., Pontin, D., & Gibson, F. (2018). . Journal of pediatric oncology nursing : official journal of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses, 35 (4), 296-307.
Peat, G., Smith, J., & Rodriguez, A. (2018). . Evidence-based nursing, 21 (3), 60-62.
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2018). . Evidence-based nursing, 21 (2), 39-41.
Stones, S.R., & Smith, J. (2018). . Evidence-based nursing, 21 (1), 2-3.
Waite-Jones, J.M., Majeed-Ariss, R., Smith, J., Stones, S.R., Van Rooyen, V., & Swallow, V. (2018). . Journal of Medical Internet Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 20 (1), e25.
Jones, J., & Smith, J. (2017). . Evidence-based nursing, 20 (4), 98-100.
Waite-Jones, J., Swallow, V., Smith, J., Stones, S., Majeed-Ariss, R., & van Rooyen, V. (2017). 017. Developing a mobile-app to aid young people’s self-management of chronic rheumatic disease: a qualitative study. Rheumatology, 56 (suppl_6).
Smith, J., Shields, L., Neill, S., & Darbyshire, P. (2017). Evidence-based nursing, 20 (3), 67-69.
Shorten, A., & Smith, J. (2017). . Evidence-based nursing, 20 (3), 74-75.
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2017). . Evidence-based nursing, 20 (2), 40-41.
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2017). Have you seen the Evidence-Based Nursing blog? Evidence-Based Nursing blogs: highlighting contemporary issues in nursing. Evidence-based nursing, 20 (1), 29-32.
Smith, J., & Milnes, L. (2016). Responding to, and learning from, peer review feedback. Nursing children and young people, 28 (9), 18.
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2016). Perspectives on current child health issues. Evidence-based nursing, 19 (4), 107-109.
Huby, K., & Smith, J. (2016). . Evidence-based nursing, 19 (4), 105-106.
Smith, J., & Milnes, L.J. (2016). . Evidence-based nursing, 19 (4), 99-100.
Pentin, J., Green, M., & Smith, J. (2016). . Nursing children and young people, 28 (7), 37-43.
Pentin, J., Green, M., & Smith, J. (2016). . Nursing children and young people, 28 (6), 35-42.
Smith, J., & Granger, K. (2016). . Evidence-based nursing, 19 (3), 68-69.
Garnett, V., Smith, J., & Ormandy, P. (2016). Child-parent shared decision making about asthma management. Nursing children and young people, 28 (4), 16-22.
Milnes, L., & Smith, J. (2016). Your path to research. Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987), 30 (34), 63.
Smith, J., & Chudleigh, J. (2016). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ essentials. Nursing children and young people, 28 (2), 12.
Smith, J. (2016). How parents relate to adolescents living with a chronic disease. Nursing children and young people, 28 (1), 15.
Chudleigh, J., & Smith, J. (2016). Funding sources and grant applications. Nursing children and young people, 28 (1), 14.
Jones, J., Topping, A., Wattis, J., & Smith, J. (2016). A Concept Analysis of Spirituality in Occupational Therapy Practice. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 6 (1), 38-57.
Smith, J., & Noble, H. (2016). Reviewing the literature. Evidence-based nursing, 19 (1), 2-3.
Twycross, A., & Smith, J. (2015). Shape of caring review: impact for children's nursing education. Evidence-based nursing, 18 (4), 105-106.
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2015). Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative research. Evidence-based nursing, 18 (2), 34-35.
Chudleigh, J., & Smith, J. (2015). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ essentials. Nursing children and young people, 27 (3), 12.
Smith, J., & Chudleigh, J. (2015). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ essentials. Nursing children and young people, 27 (2), 14.
Smith, J. (2015). Parent-professional collaboration when a child presents with potential shunt malfunction. Nursing children and young people, 27 (1), 22-27.
Smith, J. (2015). Nurses should be open with parents about range of resources available. Nursing children and young people, 27 (1), 13.
Smith, J., Swallow, V., & Coyne, I. (2015). Involving parents in managing their child's long-term condition-a concept synthesis of family-centered care and partnership-in-care. Journal of pediatric nursing, 30 (1), 143-159.
Smith, J. (2014). Efficacy of web resources in meeting parental need for information. Nursing children and young people, 26 (9), 13.
McNamee, M., & Smith, J. (2014). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ essentials: Implementing findings from clinical projects to influence practice. Nursing children and young people, 26 (9), 12.
Smith, J., & Noble, H. (2014). Bias in research. Evidence-based nursing, 17 (4), 100-101.
Owens, D., Smith, J., & Jonas, D. (2014). Evaluating students' knowledge of child pain and its management after attending a bespoke course. Nursing children and young people, 26 (2), 34-40.
Smith, J., & Cappleman, J. (2014). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ essentials. Nursing children and young people, 26 (1), 12.
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: a practical example. Evidence-based nursing, 17 (1), 2-3.
Smith, J., & Firth, J. (2011). Qualitative data analysis: the framework approach. Nurse researcher, 18 (2), 52-62.
Smith, J., Bekker, H., & Cheater, F. (2011). Theoretical versus pragmatic design in qualitative research. Nurse researcher, 18 (2), 39-51.
Smith, J., Cheater, F., Chatwin, J., & Bekker, H. (2009). Parent's involvement in decisions when their child is admitted to hospital with suspected shunt malfunction: study protocol. Journal of advanced nursing, 65 (10), 2198-2207.
Fallon, S., Smith, J., Morgan, S., Stoner, M., & Austin, C. (2008). 'Pizza, patients and points of view': Involving young people in the design of a post registration module entitled the adolescent with cancer. Nurse education in practice, 8 (2), 140-147.
Smith, J. (2007). Review: Phenomenological exploration of the patient learning experiences of 16—19 year-old women accessing a young peoples rheumatology service in the UK. Journal of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Nursing, 12 (5), 535-537.
McSherry, W., & Smith, J. (2007). How do children express their spiritual needs? Paediatric nursing, 19 (3), 17-20.
Smith, J., & Dearmun, A. (2006). Improving care for children requiring surgery and their families. Paediatric nursing, 18 (9), 30-33.
Smith, J., & Truscott, J. (2006). Commentary on Khorshid L, EÅŸer I, Zaybak A and Yapucu U (2005). Comparing mercury-in-glass, tympanic and disposable thermometers in measuring body temperature in healthy young people. Journal of Clinical Nursing 14, 496-500. Journal of clinical nursing, 15 (10), 1343-1345.
Robshaw, M., & Smith, J. (2004). Keeping afloat: student nurses' experiences following assignment referral. Nurse education today, 24 (7), 511-520.
Robshaw, M., & Smith, J. (2004). Concerned about confidentiality? The child protection jigsaw. Paediatric nursing, 16 (5), 36-38.
Smith, J., & McSherry, W. (2004). Spirituality and child development: a concept analysis. Journal of advanced nursing, 45 (3), 307-315.
Smith, J., & Long, T. (2002). Confusing rhetoric with reality: achieving a balanced skill mix of nurses working with children. Journal of advanced nursing, 40 (3), 258-266.
Book chapters
Jones, J., Smith, J., & McSherry, W. (2017). Spiritually Competent Practice in Health Care: What Is It and What Does It Look Like? In Spiritually Competent Practice in Health Care. (pp. 35-52). CRC Press:
Jones, J., Smith, J., & McSherry, W. (2017). Spirituality in Acute Health Care Settings. In Spiritually Competent Practice in Health Care. (pp. 99-114). CRC Press:
Other publications
Rodriguez, A., Smith, J., & Barrett, D. (2020). What are the foundations of a good PhD?
Other activities
I have extensive journal editorial experiences including previous roles as associate editor for Evidence-Based Nursing (led the journals social media strategy) and editorial board member for Nursing Children and Young People. In addition to being invited to reviews articles, in recognition of expertise in relation to long-term conditions in children, in a range of health related journals, I have been a reviewer for Journal of Advanced Nursing since 1997.
Nurse representative for several National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) inquiries including, children with neurodisability (2018) and outcomes and deaths in children during the peri-operative care period (2011).
Review grants for several organisations such as British Kidney Patient Association, PSI foundation, The General Nursing Council Trust and UK hospital charitable funding.
I was the co-founder of the International Forum for Child and Family-Centred Care, set up in 2016 (currently 53 members across 14 countries). This forum has already culminated in a range of outputs with international colleagues including presentations and publications and supporting PhD students undertaking research in child / family-centred care.
Other international recognition has included: Invited to the Canadian Institutes of Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Best Brain Exchange workshop to explore the underpinning evidence of models of care for children with complex needs; Invited to undertake a range of lectures and workshops relating to research with families at Aarhus University and Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, funded by a successful ERASMUS application; review abstracts for the prestigious International Family Nursing Association and International Shared-Decision Making Conference, and chair of the local organising committee for the 2nd Pediatric Nurses Association of Europe Congress.
Postgraduate supervision
I supervise postgraduate student dissertations from a range of health professional backgrounds undertaking Masters / MRes programmes of study.
I currently supervise three PhD students and have supervised six students to completion. Proposals from children’s nurses are most welcome.
I have been the external examiner for 10 PhDs students.