Gemma Upson

General Manager, CliniKids

Gemma Upson

General Manager, CliniKids & Inklings

BSc MClinAud MBA

gemma.upson@thekids.org.au

+61 8 6319 1840

Gemma Upson is General Manager of CliniKids and Inklings at The Kids Research Institute Australia. Gemma started at The Kids in 2017 to set-up and lead CliniKids, the first integrated clinical-research service at the institute. Gemma is responsible for the strategic and operational management of clinical services in early childhood development and autism interventions.

Gemma is passionate about leading and developing high performing teams and systems to deliver exceptional outcomes in the health industry, and has extensive experience in the not-for-profit and State health sectors across disability, health and early intervention. Gemma has been instrumental in leading the transition of the Inklings program, for babies aged 6-18 months showing early differences in their social interaction and communication, from a research outcome into a clinically delivered program currently being rolled out in two state-wide pilots.

Projects

The CliniBank Study: A research project to improve future clinical supports for children experiencing developmental difficulties

Learn more

October 2021

Published research

Support Preferences and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) in the Clinical Care of Autistic Children: Stakeholder Perspectives

Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are increasingly utilised within healthcare settings to enhance decision making. However, few studies have investigated their application in the context of clinical services for autistic people, with no research to date exploring the perspectives of the key stakeholders who are, or in the future may be, impacted by their use.

Autism Spectrum Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKids

July 2024

Estimated Therapy Costs and Downstream Cost Consequences of iBASIS-Video Interaction to Promote Positive Parenting Intervention vs Usual Care Among Children Displaying Early Behavioral Signs of Autism in Australia

The growing global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is associated with increasing costs for support services. Ascertaining the effects of a successful preemptive intervention for infants showing early behavioral signs of autism on human services budgets is highly policy relevant.

Autism Spectrum Published research Academic Biostatistics Early Childhood Development Autism Research School Attendance Subsite: CliniKids

April 2023

Factors Influencing Postoperative Experiences in Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Multistakeholder Perspective

To explore factors influencing postoperative experiences of adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients, determine the impact of each factor, and conceptualize recipients' postoperative journey.

Published research Subsite: CliniKids

September 2022

What Influences Decision-Making for Cochlear Implantation in Adults? Exploring Barriers and Drivers From a Multistakeholder Perspective

To explore the factors influencing the uptake of cochlear implants in adults, determine the impact of each factor, and to conceptualize the journey to implantation from a multistakeholder perspective. Concept mapping was used to integrate input from multiple stakeholders, each with their own experience and expertise.

Published research Subsite: CliniKids

January 2021

Education and Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Anatomy and Human Biology) - The University of Western Australia

Master of Clinical Audiology - The University of Western Australia

Awards/Honours

In 2014 Gemma was a WA finalist in the Telstra Business Women of the Year Awards under the category of 'Young Business Woman Award'.

Active Collaborations

Gemma has held an Adjunct Research Fellow position in the School of Surgery at UWA since 2007. She has been a professional member of Audiology Australia since 2003 and a current member of the Deafness Council WA.