My teaching philosophy is rooted in fostering critical thinking, analytical skills and lifelong learning in my students. I believe in creating inclusive, innovative and engaging learning enviroments that prepare studetns to meet the complex challenges of modern podiatric practice. I recognise the importance of collaboration and actively engage with students and colleagues to refine teaching methods. My aim is to empower students with the skills and confidence needed to excel in both clinical and research contexts, ultimately advancing the podiatry profession.

I am deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections between academia, industry, and the wider community to advance collaborative research and education initiatives. My approach to community engagement is underpinned by building partnerships that address real-world challenges and create opportunities for mutual growth.

A recent example of this commitment is my leadership in applying for the 2024 FHRI Fund Consumer and Community Involvement Support grant. This initiative is designed to facilitate large-scale community conversations with Brightwater Care Group, focusing on engaging residents, carers, and staff to inform joint research priorities. 

Looking ahead, I aim to expand community engagement initiatives by leveraging consumer-driven research approaches, interdisciplinary collaborations, and innovative outreach strategies. These efforts will not only strengthen UWA’s research impact but also ensure that the outcomes are meaningful and directly beneficial to the community.

Chief Investigator – current research projects

• Development of the VCOAT: A novel tool for determining the quality and fidelity of laboratory tenders for custom foot orthoses in experienced raters.
• Research priorities of podiatrists in Western Australia.
• Consumer research priorities in foot and ankle conditions in Western Australia
• Research priorities of podiatric surgeons in Australia.
• Offloading for structural and functional foot deformity in diabetic foot ulcers.

Chief investigator – completed research projects

• Development of the VCOAT: A novel tool for determining the quality and fidelity of laboratory tenders for custom foot orthoses (2024).
• Exploration of the lived experiences of individuals with Morton’s neuroma and its impact on quality of life: A mixed methods study (2024).
• Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening on improving symptomatic 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis: A mixed methods study (2024).
• Comparison of a handheld tablet to a high-end console for identifying osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (2023).
• Acute postoperative pain management protocols in podiatric surgery in Australia: A Delphi study (2021).
• The efficacy of shoelacing techniques in reducing postural sway in netball players (2020).

Selected publications

• Ang PPJ, Hugo B, Silvester R. Acute postoperative pain management protocols in podiatric surgery within Australia: A Delphi study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 2022.
• Silvester RN, Williams AE, Dalbeth N, Rome K. ‘Choosing shoes’: A preliminary study into the challenges facing clinicians in assessing footwear for rheumatoid patients. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 2010.

Oral and poster presentations

• Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation versus ethanol ablation for Morton’s neuroma. New Zealand Podiatry Conference, Auckland, 2018.
• Using patient recorded outcome measures (PROMs) on injectable neurolysis techniques for Morton’s neuroma. National Allied Health Conference, Perth, 2023.