About

I am a Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing within the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Derby. Alongside my teaching responsibilities, I hold a key role within the College of Health and Humanities Placements Team, working with students, practice partners and academic colleagues to support high-quality practice learning.

I am a registered Mental Health Nurse with clinical experience across a range of mental health settings. I lead on placement activity for Mental Health Nursing students, collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure students have access to diverse and effective learning opportunities that support their professional development.

My teaching focuses on preparing future mental health nurses for contemporary practice, with an emphasis on compassionate care, professional accountability, reflective practice and clinical competence. I am committed to student success, widening participation and creating inclusive learning environments that enable all students to achieve their potential.

Through my work with practice partners and academic teams, I am dedicated to strengthening the links between theory and practice and ensuring students develop the skills, confidence and professional values required for a successful nursing career.

Teaching responsibilities

BSc, MSc and MSci Mental Health Nursing

Research interests

I am currently undertaking a Master's by Research (MRes), exploring the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) nursing students within practice learning environments. My research focuses on understanding the factors that influence student experiences during placement, including the impact of assessment processes on learning and progression.

I have a particular interest in equality, diversity and inclusion within nurse education and am passionate about identifying ways to reduce disparities in student outcomes. Through my research, I aim to contribute to the development of more inclusive practice learning environments and equitable assessment processes that support the success of students from diverse backgrounds.

My broader research interests include practice learning, student experience, widening participation, and improving outcomes for underrepresented groups within healthcare education.

Membership of professional bodies

NMC Registration (RMN)

Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate in Interprofessional Practice Education (IPPE)

BSc in Mental Health Nursing

BSc in Psychology

Experience in industry

Prior to joining the University of Derby, I worked within NHS mental health services as a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), providing assessment, treatment and ongoing support to individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties.

Throughout my clinical career, I gained experience across several specialist community mental health services, including Recovery Teams, Assertive Outreach Services, and Single Point of Access (SPOA) Assessment Teams. These roles involved comprehensive mental health assessment, care coordination, risk management, crisis intervention, and multidisciplinary working to support individuals with complex and enduring mental health needs.

I am passionate about preparing future nurses for the realities of contemporary mental health practice. My teaching is informed by a strong understanding of community mental health services, recovery-focused care, patient-centred practice, and the importance of developing competent, compassionate and reflective practitioners.