Dr Shep Chidarikire is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Newcastle and an experienced mental health nursing academic and clinician. Originally trained as a primary school teacher in Zimbabwe, he later qualified as a mental health nurse in the United Kingdom and holds a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) from La Trobe University and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Tasmania (2021).

His research focuses on the intersection of culture and mental health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. His PhD used focused ethnography to examine the experiences and quality of life of people living with schizophrenia in Zimbabwe, highlighting the importance of language, cultural beliefs, and idioms of distress in understanding mental illness and improving culturally responsive care.

Dr Chidarikire has over a decade of teaching-intensive academic experience, including coordinating large courses across multiple campuses. He is recognised for his commitment to student-centred learning and teaching excellence, receiving a Teaching Merit Certificate for leadership in teaching practice.

He also has extensive clinical experience across forensic, acute, and community mental health settings in the UK and Australia. His work demonstrates strong disciplinary expertise, international relevance, and growing research impact.