I currently work as a Consultant in Higher Education with specialisms in Curriculum Development, Inclusive teaching, learning and assessment and Professional Development (including coaching and mentoring).

After graduating and teaching in secondary schools and in an FE College, I began my HE career as a lecturer in physical education and sport development/sport management. I previously worked as a Senior Lecturer at Edith Cowan University, Perth, and at the University of St. Mark and St. John, Plymouth, where I gained a significant amount of experience in work-based learning and inclusive teaching, learning and assessment. I took a 3 year break from work in 2007-2010 to complete my PhD at Otago University, New Zealand with a full scholarship to do so. I combined my interests in motherhood, sport participation and qualitative methodologies to undertake a qualitative study of snowboarding mothers who were travelling winter to winter to snowboard and compete whilst also juggling childcare.

In 2012 I initiated, developed and championed the professional recognition scheme (The Teaching Development Framework) at Plymouth and advised other institutions on establishing teaching recognition schemes, promoting participation at every opportunity. I am concerned that the professional recognition process has a direct bearing on learning and teaching, inspiring my ongoing research that focuses on the impact for the sector. More recently, my research interests have focused on the professionalization and enhancement of teaching in higher education and the continuing professional development of the healthcare workforce. My work in this area has had international impact and as a result I was awarded Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in 2018 and a National Teaching Fellowship in 2020. In 2021 I appointed as a member of Advance HE’s Expert Advisory Group for Fellowships and accreditation. This group is currently involved in advising Advance HE in advance of their review of the Professional Standards Framework.

I am also committed to promoting the interests of marginalised groups and currently Co-Chair the university’s Women’s Network.

I would be very keen to hear from prospective PhD students who are interested in researching any aspect of teaching, learning and assessment in higher education or within the healthcare workforce.   

• Member of the Association of National Teaching Fellows
• Member of the Association of Medical Education
• Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators
• Member of the Society for Research in Higher Education
• Member of the South West Educational Developers Forum

Member of Advance HE's Expert Advisory Group for Fellowships and Accreditation

Associate Editor Higher Education Research and Development Journal

External Examiner Portsmouth APEX Programme 2020- current

External Examiner Swansea Medical School, Masters in Medical Education 2019- current

Academic Link person for Greenwich School of Management's Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice 2014 -16

Senior External panel member for Manchester Metropolitan University's in-house accreditation scheme 2012-2014

External panel member for the inaugural accreditation panel for Aston University's Institutional teaching accreditation scheme for experienced teachers in H.E, 2013

External panel member for the periodic review of the Masters in Education, Falmouth College of Arts, 2012

Subject Specialist Reviewer in the area of sport, leisure and hospitality for the Quality Assurance Agency, UK. Five external reviews of Universities and Colleges in the UK conducted (2000-2002)

My teaching interests and specialisms are:

• Teacher education
• Assessment and Feedback
• Authentic Learning
• Peer Mentoring/Peer Assessment
• Student Support

PhD students:
Sally Hanks: Deconstructing, contextualising and assessing management and leadership qualities in dental professionals: an ethnographic study of principles in practice. Completed 2020

External Examining:
2020 Durham University - EdD External examiner

Previous Teaching and Learning Experience
As a Sport Management/Development Lecturer: Lecturing, practical teaching, small group teaching, supervision (undergraduate to Masters), Study skills, Work-based learning

I enjoy triathlon and multisport events. I completed Speights Coast to Coast World Multi-sport event February 2010. I was also a bronze medallist in the World Long Course Triathlon Age-Group Championships, Perth, Australia, 2009. I have completed several Ironman and Long Distance triathlons, and placed third in my age-group at Challenge Wanaka long-distance triathlon, New Zealand 2017. I am also a Level 3 Triathlon Coach and Head Coach at Plymouth Triathlon Club.