Issue No 2, Summer 2026
FACULTY OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 2, Summer 2026
CONTENTS 03 Welcome By Pro Vice-Chancellor Joanne Atkinson
04 Compassionate University An inclusive university that puts staff and students at the heart of everything when they need it most.
05 Visit by the Board of Governors Demonstrating our experiential learning opportunities
06 CHASE News The latest on the centre's progress
08 Updates from our Associate Pro
Vice-Chancellors
Funding opportunities; initiatives to support student recruitment and retention; partnership news; and process updates
14 EDI Feature Local school and faculty-wide initiatives and a spotlight on EDI-centred research
20 Updates from our Schools Latest news from our Heads of Schools on the amazing work happening in their teams.
24 Faculty Operations Updates Latest from our Management Support and Technical Support Teams; and exciting Estates News Page 02
WELCOME FROM OUR PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR
A message from Professor Joanne Atkinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Hi everyone, I hope you are all okay. This academic year has and continues to present significant changes and challenges, across the sector and here at Northumbria. I am so proud of how colleagues across our faculty have pulled together to tackle these head on to ensure we continue to support one another, our students, external stakeholders, and partners.
"We all continue to seize opportunities to build our faculty through our education and research, and we have much to celebrate. I do hope we can all take time to reflect on our accomplishments this year, recognising not only the challenges but also the significant achievements and take the positive impact and momentum they create for us all, into the next academic year. " ~ Professor Joanne Atkinson (Pro Vice-Chancellor) Members of the Faculty leadership team and I continue to strive to support colleagues through the current sector and organisation changes with kindness and transparency. Page 03
UPDATE FROM OUR PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR
Compassionate University
In December, University Executive approved a proposal which explores how the university can augment its current support to staff and student, health and welfare, by adding death, loss, bereavement and living with advanced disease to its current remit. This more inclusive approach to health and wellbeing is part of the wider global health palliative care movement entitled 'Compassionate Universities'. The Compassionate University project has made strong early progress. A cross-functional steering group has been formed, bringing together colleagues from HR, Student Support, Estates, EDI and the Students’ Union to develop a Compassionate University Charter and supporting resources. Initial work has focused on mapping existing policies, practices, networks and support mechanisms to identify strengths and opportunities for further development. Discussions have also explored the creation of reflective and memorial spaces across campus, alongside plans for a public engagement event to raise awareness and promote compassionate approaches within both the University and wider community.
An inclusive university that puts staff and students at the heart of everything when they need it most.
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UPDATE FROM OUR PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR Successful Board of Governors Visit to Coach Lane Campus We recently hosted the Board of Governors meeting at Coach Lane Campus, where we also presented our Faculty Plan, outlining our areas of strength, opportunities for growth and ways we can approach challenges differently. We also delivered a showcase, highlighting some of our experiential learning opportunities and the ways we truly prepare our students for their chosen fields, through hands-on experiences as part of our professional programmes. The showcase which received fantastic feedback included a primary education simulation; a baby top-to-toe assessment; and an ODP theatre simulation. “[thanks to] Prof John Unsworth, APVC Education, and wider team for an excellent pre-Board session at Coach Lane Campus.... the high quality of teaching and engagement from students was evident." ~ Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods (Chair of the Board of Governors)
Special thanks to: Prof John Unsworth, Karen Hudson, Prof Barry Hill, Dr Sophie Meller, Anthony Garbutt, Mark Telford, and Di Scott.
B T-t-T Ae
o P E Simulation
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O T Simula tion
UPDATE FROM CHASE CO-DIRECTORS Delivering Coordinated Systemic Change CHASE is a centre dedicated to advancing health and social equity in the North East region and beyond. ~ Professor Allan Kellehear (Lead Co-Director of CHASE, Health and Social Equity) CHASE operates through three integrated and coordinated streams — Health and Social Equity, Policy and Development, and Workforce Development — which are designed to work in concert and integration to each other. This interconnected model, spanning knowledge generation, policy innovation, and capacity building with internal and external stakeholder, allows CHASE to work in close partnership with the NHS, local authorities, businesses, and third-sector organisations to deliver coordinated, systemic change rather than fragmented interventions, making it a powerful driver of health and social equity across the region.
Mapping the Internal Research Landscape CHASE is currently working with the Northern Health Futures Hub in mapping the internal research landscape, identifying clusters of expertise, partnership gaps, and opportunities for new collaborations that are currently underconnected. ~ Professor Marco Tomietto (Co-Director of CHASE - Workforce Development)
This intelligence will inform the three core streams of CHASE and it will directly support the development tailored teams and collaborations for future funding bids, help identify potential co-investigators and collaborators, and strengthen CHASE's positioning within the broader landscape. The exercise also deepens CHASE's relationship with NortHFutures as a funder and strategic partner, opening pathways for joint projects at the intersection of digital health, workforce development, social equity, and policy implementation. Page 06
UPDATE FROM CHASE CO-DIRECTORS First CHASE Policy event to be held at Northumbria The Centre for Health & Social Equity (CHASE) recently hosted its inaugural Policy Seminar and the UK launch of a new index tracking Britain's political and economic health. The event, held on on Friday 5 June, marks the launch of a new series that will bring four major policy events to City Campus each year.
"This is a landmark moment for CHASE – our very first Policy Seminar, and a clear signal of the ambition we have for this strand of the Centre's work. Hosting the UK launch of the Index of Systemic Trends with the Democracy Collaborative sets exactly the tone we want - bringing major policy thinking to Northumbria, in partnership with leading external voices, on issues that matter to people's everyday lives. It's also a real vote of confidence in the University that the Collaborative has chosen to launch the Index here, outside of London." ~ Professor Matthew Johnson (Co-Director of CHASE Policy Research and Development) The first seminar will see the UK launch of the Index of Systemic Trends – a new dashboard developed by The Democracy Collaborative that charts the health of Britain's political economy across indicators including economic growth, inequality and poverty, productivity, financialisation, life expectancy, trust in government and environmental degradation. The Democracy Collaborative chose Northumbria as the launch venue to bring the Index to a national audience beyond London. The seminar is co-hosted by Professor Matthew Johnson, CHASE Co-Director (Policy), and Professor Howard Reed, who led the underpinning economic analysis alongside The Democracy Collaborative President Joe Guinan, Neil McInroy and Thomas Hanna. The externally ticketed event series, forms part of CHASE's growing public profile, connecting Northumbria research with national policy debate. Want to know more about CHASE or looking for ways to get involved? Visit our CHASE webpages, or contact the team at CHASE@northumbria.ac.uk
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UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS Education by Professor John Unsworth Education Awards and Enhancement Funding calls open now. Deadlines for applications: • Northumbria Distinguished Teaching Awards - 17 July 2026 • Educational Enhancement Projects - 24 July 2026
Northumbria Distinguished Teaching Awards
Open to individuals and teams, the Northumbria Distinguished Teaching Awards (NDTA) celebrate excellent teaching and recognise outstanding practice that supports learning and the student experience. This year, we particularly encourage applications from colleagues whose practice demonstrates excellence aligned to the principles embedded within Northumbria’s new Curriculum Excellence Framework. Deadline: for applications Friday 17 July 2026.
Northumbria Education Enhancement Projects
Also open to individuals and teams, Northumbria’s Education Enhancement Project awards 2026/7 provide funding for projects that are aligned to our Strategic Ambitions and the themes in our Education Strategic Delivery Plan. Funding can support projects ranging from 1 – 3 years, and collaboration with students is encouraged. Deadline for applications: Friday 24th July 2026. How to apply for an Education Enhancement Project. Page 08
UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS National Student Survey Huge thanks to programme teams for promoting the completion of the NSS. The survey closed at the end of April 2026 and the results have just been released. All colleagues will be able to view the data on the NSS intranet site which will be updated over the coming days. As soon as Planning and Performance have worked their magic we will get the results to teams and this will be followed by an analysis of the qualitative comments
Student Recruitment
The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing have shown a 4% increase in undergraduate applications for September 2026, and many courses are now closed pending A-Level results day. Some courses will enter clearing and the picture will become clearer once we move into confirmation period. Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to our student recruitment activity this academic year. We have tried a number of new approaches to drive conversion including social media video production with students, transformed experience days and supporting admissions with call centre activity. This work will continue and develop further for the next applicant cycle.
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UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS International and Educational Partnerships by Professor David Littlefair The Faculty continues to make significant strides in expanding our international and domestic educational partnerships, with a number of exciting developments to report. Below is a snapshot of some of the activity in the portfolio to date. International and Trans- National Education (TNE) Discussions with Kaplan are advancing well on two potential programmes. One is from SER, BSc Sport and Exercise Science and the other from C&E, BA Career Guidance and Coaching. For the latter, Kaplan is set to run the new programme alongside the existing BA Guidance and Counselling offering. Progress is also being made with St George’s Grenada (SGU), where an additional year of provision is set to begin in January 2027. Meanwhile, a landmark agreement with the Saudi Health Commission is nearing completion, with Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) now agreed, focussing upon physiotherapy and nursing. The formal signing is anticipated to take place over the coming months. This partnership is in its early stages but it could support the transformation of health in Saudi, should it be successful. A visit form Joud Asiri to City and Coach Lane Campuses took place in April (pictures below).
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UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS UK Educational Partnerships Closer to home, the Faculty is in active discussions with QA regarding the delivery of Faculty programmes at the London Campus. Proposals put forward in May include programmes in Education, Health, Sport and Psychology. QA is expected to respond to the proposals in June, with a potential first delivery date of September 2027. The Faculty is also progressing a top-up programme with Tommy Flowers SCITT, enabling teaching assistants to achieve a Level 6 qualification, with a target start date of September 2027. Two collaborations with Boundless Learning are also moving forward: a refresh of the current MA Education offer planned for January 2027, and a new Master of Public Health: End of Life Care programme targeting September 2027. Finally, early-stage discussions are underway with Beacon around a potential Psychology partnership, with timelines to be confirmed.
A Little Note of Thanks I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Associate Heads of School (I&EP), School TNE Coordinators, our Faculty SGU Coordinator, Programme Leaders for Apprenticeships, TNE and Distance Learning, and everyone who is involved in activity in this portfolio, for their hard work and dedication throughout the academic year. It is sincerely appreciated.
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UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS Research and Knowledge Exchange by Professor Ioannis Vogiatzis The Faculty’s Research and Knowledge Exchange agenda has progressed on multiple fronts, with both application and award activity meeting the ambitions set.
Income Headlines: • 243 Grant submissions (total value ~£52M) • £5.7M cumulative research income (12% above target) • Initiatives being developed to support colleagues to improve quality and competitiveness of their bids
Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA)
Works are ongoing with NHSA to strengthen regional research capacity, with the joint NU-NHSA launch event planned for the 16th of September showcasing Faculty’s research strengths, as well as the opportunities available through NHSA partnership. Working closely with colleagues from NHSA we are looking into exciting opportunities to support research we are good at. Watch the space for the invite and have your say on development of health research and innovation in the North of England.
Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP)
Strengthening collaboration with the NHRP Academy, plans are underway for a NU-hosted pitch event supporting early- and mid-career fellowship applications, alongside structured support mechanisms being introduced. We are also forging strategic collaborative PhD agreements with regional NHS Trusts - renewing and expanding existing partnerships while actively developing new ones across the region.
School Research Culture Action Plans
Well received School Research Culture Action Plans have been submitted and will feed into the overarching objectives being defined by the Dean of Research Culture to drive school-level action.
Knowledge Exchange Delivery Plans
Approved ambitious Knowledge Exchange Delivery Plans assume +20% growth annually, starting with approx. £4M; ambition for 2025/2026. Committed to growing our research community, the faculty has secured 14 RDF full scholarships and 14 fee-Scholarship awards — a real win for PGR growth, bringing in researchers with direct links to practice through NHS and charity partnerships. Page 12
UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS Changes in RIS and RIS Frameworks
It is also worth highlighting that Research and Innovation Services (RIS) has recently undergone a restructure, with Research Operations Support now aligned more closely with Faculties (see diagram below), alongside introducing a suite of new frameworks to set clear expectations and maximise support for research-active colleagues. The new Research Operations Framework sets out the full range of support available across the development, submission, and management of awards and contracts. As a rule of the thumb to make the most of this support, do get in touch with RIS at least four weeks before funder deadlines for standard grants not exceeding £500K, and eight weeks ahead for awards exceeding £500K. Two further frameworks have been introduced to drive proposal quality: a Peer Review Framework providing expert feedback before submission for bids where Northumbria is a lead, and a Large Bid Development Framework for major applications.
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EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE Faculty EDI Update Last month as part of Pride month, the university launched our LGBTQ+ equality action plan. You can find out more about this and Pride events here. Northumbria have just become the first University to sign up to the North East Anti-Racism Coalition's 'Become the Bridge' campaign. The Gender Equality forum ran an event on major sporting events and domestic abuse on the 24 June. As part of the Faculty Self-Assessment Team for Athena Swan, we have all been busy supporting the development of the Faculty Athena Swan action plan. This will be finalised over the next few months, and alongside actions from the equality forums, we will be involving colleagues in plans to implement these in our Schools. We have been working together to develop resources for colleagues to ensure embed EDI in outreach activities and the curriculum, so watch this space. EDI Leads across the Faculty now represent colleagues in our Schools across the wider university. Details of the EDI structure of the university can be found here, including how you can get involved. If anyone ever has anything EDI-related they would like to discuss, get in touch with your School EDI Lead.
stronger together
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EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE School of Communities and Education "The School is actively working to enhance our curriculum through a focus on gender-inclusive resources and a planned masterclass on decentring our curricula " ~ Dr Tom Disney (EDI Lead, School of Communities and Education)
The masterclass has emerged directly from feedback
from international students, who noted that teaching materials did not always reflect their lived experiences or include contributions to knowledge beyond the Global North. Alongside this, colleagues on the EDI committee have begun collaborating with Marketing to ensure that the materials used to promote our programmes to the public are more representative of the communities we serve, and so that we recruit diverse cohorts of students. The EDI committee is also developing a new induction programme for all new starters, building on the excellent groundwork laid by colleagues in the School of Psychology. The programme draws on the frameworks of cultural humility and cultural competency to ensure that international colleagues feel genuinely included and supported from the outset. If you would like to find out more or get involved with any of the above initiatives, please do get in touch with the EDI committee.
School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation "A team led by Dr Kirsty Lindsay and Dr Paul Cook, inspired by Dr Helen Hooper’s work, is reviewing the School’s marketing materials with a gender-decoder to spot subtle linguistic coding that can deter applicants. Programme leaders are refreshing both content and imagery to better reflect our diverse student population. Watch this space." ~ Phil Harvey (EDI Lead, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation) Sports Coaching students partner with Newcastle schools - Between January and April 2026, sixteen Level 5 Sports Coaching students co-authored and delivered four events with the Newcastle PE and School Sport Service, reaching over 500 pupils from more than 35 schools across the North East — from multi-skills events and SEND festivals to regional athletics finals and a Key Stage 3 girls’ workshop led entirely by female coaching students, with GB Judo athlete Anya Hassan as ambassador. The Page 15
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE work offered rich experiential learning and placement hours toward an accredited coaching award, advancing our widening-participation aims. Women’s Sport & Wellbeing Summit 2026 - The Women’s Sport & Wellbeing Summit 2026, hosted by the Women’s Sport & Wellbeing Research team, took place at City Campus East on 8 June. The day featured two keynotes — Dr Kirsty Hicks on bridging research and application in elite women’s football, and Clare Morley on “This Girl Can – But Many Still Can’t” — alongside speaker sessions, networking, a closing address from special guest Debbie Baisden, and conference awards. School signs the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration - The University and School has become a signatory to the Brighton plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration on Women and Sport — the leading global framework for gender equity in sport and physical activity, developed by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport and backed by more than 600 organisations worldwide. In signing, we commit to upholding its ten principles, advancing opportunities for women and girls to take part, compete and lead. Colleagues can read more about the Declaration.
School of Psychology "To celebrate and support Pride, on 26 June, the EDI Team in conjunction with Chartwells, held a fundraising bake sale with proceeds going towards helping keep the Pride Festival a free event." ~ Dr Alyson Dodd (EDI Lead, School of Psychology) Listening groups and surveys are ongoing covering a range of topics including: Career Development and Support - ADR and Promotions; Reasonable Adjustments Processes; Trans and Non-Binary Experiences; and Culture and Belonging. Noting that effective communication and a sense of psychological safety can improve inclusion and a sense of belonging, with colleagues feeling comfortable to share their views, on 17 June, the School ran a communications workshop for colleagues. We are working on embedding EDI throughout the student journey, from outreach to Open Days to the curriculum. I am developing additional resources to support you in supporting students through inclusive teaching and learning. Please complete this survey on decentring the curriculum so that we can gather examples of good practice and learn more about how to support you with doing this in the future. The survey will be open until the end of July. Page 16
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences "For the first time, deaf and sight loss awareness training has been delivered across all nursing fields producing a meaningful step forward for embedding sensory loss awareness within nursing education" ~ Dr Paul Watson (EDI Lead, School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences) The School is embedding EDI more deeply across its curricula through several new and ongoing initiatives this semester. An Interprofessional Active Bystander Training programme is being piloted jointly with Newcastle University medical students, alongside a research study exploring whether training translates into behaviour change in clinical settings. For the first time, deaf and sight loss awareness training has been delivered across all nursing fields, co-developed with the RNIB and Thomas Pocklington Trust, receiving strongly positive student feedback. The Oliver McGowan training on learning disability and autism awareness continues to be delivered to all first-year nursing, midwifery, ODP, and RNDA students, co-facilitated by people with lived experience. Ongoing staff engagement, including with the ageism champion, BAME leads, PG student leads and the neurodiversity group has highlighted the importance of closing the feedback loop and better supporting international students with IT access, infrastructure, and cultural celebration days. We also have several active EDI research projects underway, including a multi-organisation collaboration examining the experiences of cultural minority students on placement across the North East, and a partnership with ADHDUK developing suicide prevention guidance for those working with neurodivergent people. A pilot project co-producing anti-racist approaches to nursing education is currently seeking participants - please get in touch if you'd like to be involved. Colleagues also played a key role in organising the LGBTQ+ Forum Spring Symposium at the end of May, a university-wide event bringing together colleagues from across the institution, the local community, and neighbouring universities. Looking ahead, a proposed NMC EDI Curriculum Mapping exercise will review coverage and graduate readiness against regulatory standards ahead of the 2027 changes. Page 17
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE EDI-Focussed Research
• In the School of Healthcare and Nursing Science, Dr Ben Ajibade and Dr Joy Shao are leading ‘Co-producing Anti-Racist Nursing Education: A Pilot Workshops and Toolkit Development project’. • Stephen Dunne in the School of Psychology is leading Empowering Voices, a creative community project with local charity partner Equal Arts that shines a light on the often-hidden experiences of people living with long-term health conditions and invisible disabilities. The project aims to challenge stigma, reduce isolation, and support wellbeing through art, storytelling, and digital creation, grounded in the belief that everyone has a voice worth hearing. • This led to the Silent Voices: Our Hidden Stories public exhibition, bringing to life the stories of residents at Mulgrave Villas in Gateshead. Through digital storytelling and textile art, participants explored what it means to live with challenges that can't always be seen, sharing their emotions, humour, and strength. At the recent NortHFutures Public Showcase, attendees engaged directly with animated avatars produced by residents. These events were a testament to what becomes possible when research genuinely centres the people it seeks to understand and when participants have the opportunity to control the narrative and take ownership of how their stories are told. The Silent Voices exhibition was made possible through support from NortHFutures, a collaborative digital health hub addressing unmet health and care needs across the North East and North Cumbria, funded by the EPSRC.
• Alongside colleagues Dale Metcalfe, Kris McCarty and Claire Hills-Wilson, a current NIHR-funded project is investigating the accuracy of an online version of an intellectual disability screening questionnaire for children and young people. This will improve identification and support for young people. This project is a collaboration with the Lawnmowers Research Abilities group run by and for people with a learning disability. Page 18
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE EDI-Focussed Research Continued... • Also in the School of Psychology, Karen McKenzie has been involved in projects aiming to improve research and practice for people with intellectual disabilities. In a project funded by North-East and North Cumbria Regional Research Delivery Network, the project asked researchers and parents/carers of people with intellectual disability about how to increase the engagement of people with an intellectual disability and their families in research. Co-production and other involvement (e.g. having people with intellectual disability as part of the research team) were highlighted as important throughout the research process. Creating accessible information and opportunities to discuss and ask questions about the research was also seen as crucial. This project also found that there is a large group of people with a ‘hidden’ intellectual disability in the region. • Embedding inclusive assessment in UDL training - Dr Adam Nichol’s work on inclusive assessment has been published as part of the institution’s training on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). A short video outlines some of the changes and their potential impact — watch the video. • Tackling the racialised awarding gap - Dr Angela Hibbs and Dr Rick Hayman have published their work on the racialised awarding gap in the British Educational Research Journal — “Addressing the Racialised Awarding Gap in Higher Education: Insights from Personal Tutors” (doi.org/10.1002/berj.70194). Further papers are in development, extending the work nationally with colleagues from ten UK universities, alongside several Q1 publications and conference presentations. • Supporting student transitions into higher education - Also led by Dr Hibbs and Dr Hayman, the UK Pre-Arrival Survey for Sport and Rehabilitation Students ran this year with three institutions and expands to eight UK universities next year. It promotes transitional support for newly arriving students — especially first-generation and minority students — and has informed a new pilot digital pre-arrival module launching in the School in September 2026. • Using AI to support neurodivergent students - Dr Nicola McCullogh, with colleagues across Schools and SLAS, is developing an AI workshop to support neurodivergent students’ transition to university. Rather than making decisions for them, it shows students how to use AI as a sounding board to build skills such as scheduling and budgeting. Now being trialled with students in their final years of school and college, the feedback is shaping a framework to use here and share with schools and colleges, helping applicants feel more confident about university. The project is funded through NCRAI Seedcorn funding. • With sincere thanks to all the colleagues, students and partners who have made this work possible. Page 19
UPDATES FROM OUR SCHOOLS School of Communities and Education by Karen Hudson Learn more about the School of Communities and Education's headlines for this semester HERE.
• Successes, Publications, Conference Presentations and Funding Grants • Student Choice Staff Award nominations and winners • NIHR approval for IDEAS-NET protocol for National Neighbourhood Health evaluation • Education Enhancement 360 Simulation Project • Research Project Funded by The Froebel Trust • Partnership in Action: BA2 Science Enhancement Students bring Primary Science to life through Experiential Learning with Regional Partners • Reconnecting future trainee teachers with nature • New See Me North Website: Support Me North • Experts by Experience zine coming soon • RAISE SIG Webinar, funded by VC's Diversity Fund • Yoga article invitation from the New York Times • Academic Society Ball win for Occupational Therapy Student Society • Updates from our Expert Research Groups Got something to shout about?
Contact your local Faculty Administrator to be included in your next School Newsletter. Don't forget to include links to articles and any photos.
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UPDATES FROM OUR SCHOOLS School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences by Professor Paul Gill Learn more about the School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences' headlines for this semester HERE.
• Successes, Publications, Conference Presentations and Funding Grants • Student Choice Staff Award nominations and winners • Clinical Skills Facilities Update
• AGE Platform Europe Representation • Hearing and Sight Loss Awareness Training • Strong Mind-Rise Together Workshop Series • BNJ Awards Nurse Educator of the Year Award win • Visiting Professor Appointments & Capacity-Building • Workshops: Strengthening Institutional Partnerships • NIHR Blog: From Research Nurse to Assistant Professor • New Evaluation in Health & Social Care Research Group • New study uses technology to manage discharge delays to free up hospital beds • NIHR approval for IDEAS-NET protocol for National Neighbourhood Health evaluation • Practice Learning Team: Pilots, Partnerships and Celebrations • Internship article: Exploring District Nursing Role Ambiguity • Conference: Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence and Abuse Got something to shout about?
Contact your local Faculty Administrator to be included in your next School Newsletter. Don't forget to include links to articles and any photos.
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UPDATES FROM OUR SCHOOLS School of Psychology by Professor Mary Stewart Learn more about the School of Psychology's headlines this semester HERE. • Staffing Updates and Current School Initiatives. • Associate Head of School Portfolio Updates • EDI Update: Pride Month Activities; and Listening Groups. • Successes, Publications, Conference Presentations and Funding Grants
• Events and Conferences: Dragons Den Debut at the Undergraduate Conference; Child of the North SEND data showcase; NIHR Three Research Schools Prevention Programme Showcase; Meeting of the Experimental Psychology Society 30th March-1st April; and Taking My PhD Research to EPS 2026. • Media Coverage and Press Releases: Wall St Journal reports on Northumbria cybersecurity work with Older Adults; and Nature paper featured in New York Times • Student Spotlight: Professional Skills Conference 2025 • Public Involvement and Community Engagement: Spotlight on AI for Centre for Life; Cheltenham Science Festival with Radio 4's All In The Mind;; Parliamentary evidence session on UV Safety; Newcastle Health Determinants Research Collaboration's Connecting People, Connecting Ideas; and TEDI Network Plus Introduction. • Partnerships: Parliamentary Visit to call for National Guidelines for Hoarding. • Outreach Activities: Hopeful Futures AI; and 'More than quit rates - our smoking research was about complexity, trust, and real voices' Blog Got something to shout about?
Contact your local Faculty Administrator to be included in your next School Newsletter. Don't forget to include links to articles and any photos.
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UPDATES FROM OUR SCHOOLS School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation by Professor Claire Bruce-Martin Learn more about the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation's headlines this semester HERE. • Successes, Publications, Conference Presentations and Funding Grants • New Partnership: FA-endorsed Football Coaching Degree • Collaborative Studentships starting in October with Western Clinical and MoD • Partnerships in development: Gateshead College franchise - L4 Football Coaching and Performance programme; South Shields FC International Academy - experiential Learning opportunities (placements, internships and collaborative PhD studentships • Awards Successes: Nutrition Society Award win for Early Career Nutritionist; Dr Trevor Wynter Award; Paul R. Lawrence Fellowship
• Double Academy of Medical Sciences funding success • Fund-raising success for Sport Event Management Students - over £10k for charities incl. Mind, Daft as a Brush, Red Sky Foundation • Student and Alumni highlights: Ivy League acceptance; Sports Coaching experiential learning events; and Golfing Physiotherapy placements
Got something to shout about?
Contact your local Faculty Administrator to be included in your next School Newsletter. Don't forget to include links to articles and any photos.
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UPDATES FROM FACULTY OPERATIONS Health and Wellbeing Faculty Operations by Di Scott As Director of Faculty Operations, in addition to overseeing the Faculty's Estate; Health and Safety; and Risk Management portfolios, Di also leads both our Technical and Faculty Administration teams. Learn more about the Faculty Operations Structure HERE.
Faculty Administration Team Updates Our Faculty Administrators and Executive Assistant have had a busy few months and have been involved in a number of new initiatives that will support Faculty colleagues and the wider University. The team has been consulted in the new Event Planning self-service tool which has ensured that the process is intuitive and flows well from a Faculty perspective. As well as her usual role supporting the School of Communities and Education, Mandy Summerly now spends some of her time assisting our CHASE Co-Directors in the logistics of events and meetings for the project. The team welcomed its newest member recently. Chloe Harvey, who joined us in March, is now responsible for the administrative support of the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, and has already produced her first School newsletter. Sharon Bennett has been working alongside Professor John Unsworth, and school social media leads on the management of student-produced ‘a day in the life’ videos that will be used in our recruitment campaigns. The most important part of Sharon’s role has been to set up the process by which the students are paid for their time! Rachel Wilson has played a crucial role in leading the coordination and operationalisation of our new Faculty EDI Ops Group in relation to University Committees and equality forums; HR colleagues have commented on her ‘exceptional partnership working’ during the implementation of the new EDI governance structure. Page 24
UPDATES FROM FACULTY OPERATIONS Technical Team Updates Our Technical Team have also been very busy repurposing and enhancing existing spaces, alongside using technology to delivery efficiencies and improve processes for the Faculty and beyond! Myles Stelling has been working on building Power BI dashboards to flag when risk assessments are out of date and to monitor our weekly compliance water checks with some great feedback, these dashboards inspired a University wide dashboard created by the health and safety team to monitor outstanding inspection items. Excellent work, Myles! Special congratulations to Julie Hunter who has just reached 25 years with Northumbria, and to Ruth Steinberg for over 35 years, Ruth will be retiring at the end of June 2026 and we wish her well. Ruth is loved by everyone she meets and will be greatly missed!
Estates Updates OSCE Centre Space
The OSCE centre space is now up and running under Faculty of Health and Wellbeing in CLC E-Block 1st and 2nd floor, contact hl.nb.sc.technical.team@north umbria.ac.uk for more information on using the space. Sport Central Aircon has been replaced in Sport Central labs over Easter and the system is now up and running. The SER technical resource room is now up and running in SPF111 in Sport Central. Clinical Skills Flooring has been replaced over Easter break in 1st floor Clinical Skills specialist spaces creating a refreshed look and an improved teaching environment.
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UPDATES FROM FACULTY OPERATIONS Touchdown Space at Coach Lane Campus Following the successful introduction of touchdown space in NB261 for CLC colleagues, a similar room has now been created at CLC for City Campus-based colleagues to use when visiting CLC. The room is on the first floor of C block – C105 - and has four desks with dual monitors installed at each. As you’ll see from the photo below, there are some lockers with keys available in case useful. No booking is required, so please feel free to use it whenever you need it. To add a level of security to the room, the door code has been communicated to staff in the faculty by email. If you need the room and have forgotten the code, please contact your local Faculty Administrator.
Relocation of Physiotherapy to City Campus We are delighted to share with the Faculty an exciting campus development for the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation. For the first time, the School will be fully co-located at City Campus, bringing our Sport and Physiotherapy colleagues and students together in one place. As part of this investment, our Physiotherapy teaching spaces will be located on the ground and third floors of the Northumberland Building, while our Physiotherapy Clinic will remain on the first floor of the same building, expanding along the same corridor. This means all SER colleagues will be based in the Northumberland Building, in close proximity to Sport Central, and right at the heart of City Campus. Page 26
UPDATES FROM FACULTY OPERATIONS Leading this work for SER are Katherine Baker (Head of Subject, Physiotherapy) and Kirsty Lindsay (Physiotherapy Clinic Lead), working alongside the wider Physiotherapy, Technical, SER leadership teams and the NU Estates team on all aspects of the design, build, and move. The timeline is still being finalised, but we are hopeful that delivery will be later this calendar year, with the clinic becoming operational first, closely followed by the new teaching spaces. The expanded Physiotherapy Clinic will also take on physiotherapy support for Sport Northumbria BUCS teams, broadening the placement experience available to our students. We look forward to welcoming everyone into these newly designed spaces in academic year 2026–27. As planning and preparation for the move continues, we would welcome engagement and support from colleagues across the Faculty. This is a significant estates and operational project which will help shape the future delivery of Physiotherapy education, clinical activity and student experience within Health and Wellbeing. If colleagues are interested in contributing to, supporting or learning more about the ongoing preparations and implementation work, please speak with Katherine Baker, Kirsty Lindsay, Di Scott or Claire Bruce-Martin.
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