School of Health Sciences and Social Work

Profile

Background

After qualifying as a nurse and midwife I worked clinically for some years. I completed my MSc at Portsmouth (as a part-time student) in 1994 while working as a lecturer in midwifery. I commenced my part-time studies for my PhD (in pregnancy and delivery onset pain in the coccyx) in 1999, while continuing to work as a senior lecturer, firstly in midwifery, latterly in health studies. I completed my PhD in 2005. I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am currently Associate Head (Education) within the School of Health Sciences & Social Work.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach units across undergraduate courses within Healthcare Science, subjects include applied psychosocial studies in pre-hospital care and service improvement in healthcare. I am course leader for the Professional Doctorate in Health Science.

Research and knowledge transfer

My research interests are in relation to women’s health, in particular musculo-skeletal problems and pain associated with pregnancy and childbirth, along with organisational development and service improvement. In addition, I am interested in exploring how both simulation and work-based learning can enhance both the student experience and organisational performance.

I am currently supervising students in the following fields:

• Evaluation of a self-management physiotherapy programme for cystic fibrosis.
• Military physiotherapists’ attitudes and beliefs towards low back pain and their influence on the management of military patients with chronic low back pain.
• Detection of fractures in children’s wrists using thermal imaging as a screening tool.