Professor Sally Abey is Head of School for the School of Health Professions at the University of Plymouth, where she has been a valued member of the academic community since 2005. Initially appointed to lead teaching in podopaediatrics on the BSc (Hons) Podiatry programme, her academic career has progressed through a series of senior leadership roles, including Academic Lead for BSc (Hons) Podiatry (2015–2022) and Dean of Education for the College of Podiatry (2015–2022).

Professor Abey holds a PhD in clinical education in podiatry. Her research focuses on practice-based learning, the role of clinical educators, and the creation of research-informed placement environments. She has led a number of funded projects investigating the integration of technology in health education, including mobile learning, virtual clinical settings, and re-usable digital learning resources such as podcasts and instructional videos. Her recent research also explores the evolving role of telehealth in both clinical education and professional practice, examining how digital consultation models can enhance accessibility, learning, and patient care.

A recognised Teaching Fellow and passionate educator, Professor Abey is committed to preparing podiatry graduates for the demands of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. She champions the integration of research across all aspects of curriculum design and delivery. Her work has been presented nationally and internationally, and she contributes regularly to peer-reviewed publications. She also plays an active role in shaping the profession through academic committees and policy advisory work with the Royal College of Podiatry.

Research informed placements: Research informed teaching is one of the hallmarks of higher education and underpins my own teaching ethos. I have extended this concept to include the development of research informed learning environments. My PhD research used action research to look at real-life issues and identifying ways to change working practices to resolve them. These changes were subsequently implemented and evaluated and have informed changes to working practices within the placement area, such as the way that clinical educators are recruited into the role and their responsibilities.

Re-usable learning objects: I have a particular interest in developing re-usable learning objects (RSO) for students such as videos and podcasts. This includes the development of a podiatry web-based repository in collaboration with CEPPL where students could access a range of podcasts and vodcasts is an example of flexible delivery developments. In order to populate this site, I was active in producing these resources and assisting colleagues to develop RSOs to support their own teaching. As part of my own teaching library I have produced a video cataloguing the development of gait in a male child from commencement of walking until development of mature gait. I also have a suite of videos for a first year module demonstrating infection control, padding and strapping.

Dean of Education
I undertook the role of Vice-Dean of Education in January 2015 which I held for over two years, before being elected Dean of Education. The Committee of the Directorate of Education is the advisory body on all matters relating to higher education awards with a direct relevance to podiatry, at pre- and post-registration levels. The committee reports to the College of Podiatry Academic Board and has the following aims:
Maintain an overview of all activities relevant to pre-registration training, pre-registration curriculum and post-graduate award bearing programmes relevant to the development of podiatrists
Establishing and maintaining good channels of communication between the providers of accredited programmes and the College of Podiatry
Encouraging the participation of practising podiatrists in the education and training of student podiatrists
Delivering an academic workshop every 2 years
Maintaining a Register of Clinical Educators
Communicating with Government bodies and councils who inform policy and funding for education at pre- and post-registration levels
An important part of the role is to represent the College of Podiatry at a national level with regards to matters relating to education

2022 to date Reviewer for BMJ Open

2022 to date Advisor to NHS Education for Scotland for apprenticeships

2021 to date Reviewer for Australian Journal of Clinical Education