The ALICE simulator is a pioneering initiative inspired by the life and legacy of Alice Clark, a 21-year-old paramedic who tragically died in the line of duty just three months after qualifying from the University of Greenwich.
Driving an ambulance under emergency conditions—at high speed, under pressure, with lives at stake—is an area of enormous complexity and risk. Yet, it remains vastly under-explored in both training and research.
In Alice’s honour, the University of Greenwich is leading the co-development of a bespoke ambulance simulator—not just as a training tool, but as a research platform to investigate the real-world conditions, risks, and human factors involved in blue-light driving.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Alice’s parents for their support and trust in allowing us to carry forward this work in her name. We are committed to ensuring that the project remains grounded in care, integrity, and meaningful impact.
A Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Endeavour
This project brings together:
- Researchers in driver behaviour and simulation
- Paramedics and educators
- Technical and digital simulation specialists
- Industry partners (Simulation Collective)
Together, we are co-creating a simulator that enables:
- Simulated training in various conditions and at varying times
- Data capture on driver behaviour and decision-making
- Systems-level insights into risk, performance, and safety
This is not just about teaching people to drive—it’s about understanding what happens when they do, under pressure, in the real world.
Why Now?
With new national regulations on ambulance driving training set to take effect, and rising concerns around workforce wellbeing and safety, the need for a research-informed, human-centred approach has never been greater.
The ALICE simulator has already drawn attention from NHS Trusts, ambulance services, academic institutions, and international researchers—reflecting the urgent demand for this kind of work.
Join the Conversation – Help Shape the Future
We are currently building a stakeholder and collaborator network to help guide and grow this project. Whether you are:
- A paramedic or emergency service professional
- A simulation educator or researcher
- An expert in human factors or other relevant discipline
- A policy-maker or safety leader
- A healthcare or transport organisation
- Or someone with a passion for innovation and impact
You can choose to:
- Receive project updates
- Share insights and ideas
- Join our advisory or stakeholder groups
- Contribute to research and evaluation
- Explore future collaboration
Project Updates
We’ll be sharing regular updates on:
- Simulator build progress
- Live testing and user feedback
- Research findings and outputs
- Stakeholder engagement activities
- Event and launch details
Acknowledgements
This work is being delivered by a cross-faculty team at the University of Greenwich, supported by Simulation Collective and aligned with the ILD’s Centre for Professional Workforce Development and the Centre for Thinking and Learning.
The project is overseen by:
Prof Sharon Marie Weldon – Healthcare Simulation & Workforce Development
Dr Damian Poulter – Driver Behaviour & Human Sciences
Charles Everard – Clinical Simulation Infrastructure and Technical Insights
Rob Slee – Paramedic Educator & Simulation Fellow
With sincere thanks to Alice’s family for allowing this work to be carried forward in her name.
