Briefly, could you tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I started in intensive care nursing and then switched to cardiac care. During that time I undertook an MRes in Biomedical research in what is now FoLSM in KCL. I did this part-time time and was then offered a PhD place in the same group, which I completed mostly fulltime. The project I undertook was exploring how the blood-brain barrier identified and expelled medication from the brain.
When I finished my three years of PhD funding I got a lectureship with the faculty, setting up and running an ECG interpretation module and continued with my PhD writeup which I eventually submitted. About that time I took over module leadership of a biological science module for post qualification nurses and also became interested in developing a pharmacology module for pre-registration students. After a few iterations this is now a core module in second year. With the arrival of digital projectors, I became interested in developing animations for biology lecturer delivery, which opened up the idea of e-learning; in 2012, when we got our formal virtual learning environment, I helped lead the technology enhance learning team with initially Blackboard and consequently Moodle (KEATS). In this role I have promoted the use of online learning in the faculty and college as a whole I have authored upwards of 30 separate online resources using different authoring tools and helped develop a similar skills in academic and professional staff colleagues over the years.
In 2008 I developed and ran the first MSc programme designed for overseas students and in 2020, this programme was revised to an initially online only to now a hybrid programme. I am now actively involved with developing international academic relations in my role as lead for programme and path ways.
Can you tell us about the postgraduate research PhD projects that you supervise as an AEP academic, and why this is of note for an academic on an AEP contract?
I have mainly supervised e-learning and cardiac related projects. Most recently I am supervising a project exploring the use of AI in nursing students in Oman, perspectives of undertaking research in clinical practice in Saudi Arabia, developing a model for preceptorship in clinical staff in Indonesia and codesign of an informatics module in nurse curricula in Indonesia.
How has supervising a PhD student deepened your own sense of learning and development?
One of the most notable change is it has consolidated pedagogical theory and philosophy it obviously opens you up to a wider array of research tools and approaches. You’re also involved in the academic delivery of several of the faculty’s international partnerships.
What do you find so rewarding about this work?
This is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I have had the privilege to develop and deliver two MSc programmes that are primarily designed for overseas students. The lasting friendships that this has resulted in has been very rewarding. Also in my new role as academic lead for programme and pathways I am able to utilise my experience of programme development and steer collaborations to ensure we attain optimal student experience
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
The colleagues and variety of work. I also enjoy a challenge and trouble shooting.
What do you do with your time outside of work?
I love working with my hands, I love repairing things, I also enjoy gardening.