FACULTY OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING NEWSLETTER
Issue No 1, Winter 2025
A message from Professor Joanne Atkinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor
Welcome to our new Faculty Newsletter. We have had a busy start to the academic year and I want to thank everyone for all your hard work. Our achievements are amazing and this newsletter only gives us a snapshot of the depth and breadth of the work being undertaken by each and every one of you across our range of Schools, disciplines and roles.
As we approach the winter break, I want to wish you all a happy festive season ahead and encourage everyone to take some well-earned time for rest, leisure and to spend with those you care about most.
Tributes to Professor Malcolm von Schantz, 1966 – 2025 The impact of sad and sudden passing of our dear colleague Professor Malcolm von Schantz in October, has been felt by not only his family and close friends and colleagues, but also his network of peers and collaborators, with many of them paying tribute to not only his impact on the field of Chronobiology, but also his singular insight and ever-friendly demeanour. Malcolm’s professional contributions were significant and far-reaching, but it is the warmth of his character that many of us will remember most. He was known not only for his intelligence and dedication, but also for his enthusiasm, kindness, generosity in sharing his knowledge and time, and good sense of humour. Beyond his academic achievements, Malcolm was an avid traveller, once remarking that ‘if you want to understand the world, you have to be part of it’, which he did with gusto – something we can all learn from. Malcolm will be deeply missed. Page 1
UPDATE FROM OUR PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) Northumbria has joined the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), a partnership of leading universities and NHS trusts driving health research and innovation across the North of England. Colleagues across the Faculty and beyond are now working with NHSA partners as part of a new network to develop impactful health-centred research.
“By working together through the NHSA's pan-northern networks, we can amplify our collective impact and ensure research translates into tangible benefits for communities across the region." ~ Professor Joanne Atkinson
Renewal of Centre for Health and Social Equity (CHASE) Recognising the growing potential for work in this field, we are creating a new operating model for CHASE around a three-pillar framework: addressing social determinants of health and wellbeing, building community capacity and resilience, and enabling equitable access to health and social care. The centre will be led by three Co-Directors supported by CHASE Leads. This approach positions us to partner effectively with local NHS trusts, local authorities, and third sector organisations to deliver research, workforce development, and evidence-based policy work that meets their health and social equity goals. More details to follow in the New Year. Page 2
UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS International and Educational Partnerships by Professor David Littlefair There has been lots of activity in the Faculty this semester led by our Associate Heads of School, TNE Coordinators, Heads of Subject and Apprenticeship Programme Leaders.
This portfolio includes: • Distance Learning • Transnational Education (TNE) • Apprenticeships • UK Educational Partnerships • International Students
Trans- National Education (TNE) • Kaplan: Our Faculty is the designated University representative for our partnership with Kaplan in Singapore. We deliver a number of programmes with Kaplan including Nursing, Guidance and Counselling, Children and Early Years, Healthcare Leadership and Management and MPH. Recent developments include the potential franchise of Sport and Exercise Science programme and the continuation of the delivery BA Guidance and Counselling alongside the new programme BA Career Guidance and Coaching. • ISDE Barcelona: ISDE Barcelona currently deliver our Sport Management programme. It is in the 4th year of delivery, and an additional 3-year contract is now going ahead.
International Students
An international student experience Project is underway in the faculty being led by the School of Communities and Education
Apprenticeships
Communities and Education are hoping to develop a Teaching Degree apprenticeship with Ripley SCITT. They are currently a collaborative venture partner. C&E are also planning a Teaching assistant apprenticeship. Page 3
Distance Learning Boundless Learning met with all our Schools at Coach Lane on 19th November to discuss current provision (in Psychology and C&E) and potential future developments.
UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS Education by Professor John Unsworth I am pleased to announce a number of successful education awards for Health and Wellbeing.
Northumbria Distinguished Teaching Fellows: • Dr Liam T. Pearson-Noseworthy • Dr Lee Shepherd • Chris Warnock • Dr Paul Cook
Educational Enhancement Projects • Occupational Therapy VR360 simulation based education project (Lisa Evans & Dr Frank Lai, plus Craig Clark) • Assessing Student Psychological Ownership of Place [S-POP] (Dr Lisa Thomas, plus Dr Alyson Dodd & Dr Meryn Constable) • Understanding and Supporting Ethical AI Use in Nursing Education: A Study of Student Engagement and Perceptions (Dr Claire Dosdale, plus Dr Deborah Flynn, Stephen McStay, and Dr Stuart Barker) • Embedding Research Culture in Psychology Programmes: A Toolkit for Research-Enriched Education (Dr Michael Craig, plus Niall Newton) • Enhancing Belonging and Inclusion for Neurodivergent Students through Spatial Exploration (Dr Lucy Barker) • Improving induction to promote belonging and professional growth: co-creating a toolkit of low- and medium-technology simulation materials for international students (David Nichol, plus Dr Jill Duncan, Dr Kirstin Mulholland, Dr Chris Counihan, & Louise Gibson) • Growing Wellbeing: Embedding Green Space, Student Wellbeing, and Community Connection through Forest School (Dr Joanna Hume)
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UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS Plus Follow on Funding for... • Developing understanding and supporting experiential learning through volunteering for FY students with community sport organisations (Dr John Hayton & Dr Lindsay Findlay-King) • Forest bathing – critically appraising a health intervention, and, developing knowledge and understanding of innovative sexual health service design (Dr Anna Goulding) • Implementing a student-instructor partnership to co-create an experiential learning module leveraging case-based methodology in the sport management classroom (Armin Marquez, PhD) • ‘Knowing How’: Exploring the effectiveness of experiential learning work placements in developing interpersonal skills to promote graduate work readiness (Dr Angela Hibbs, plus Dr Michael Parr, Victoria Mercer, Dr Eleanor Graham, & Laura Wilson) • Using Simulation-based Pedagogies to address Imposter Phenomenon in Early Career Academics (Dr Kirstin Mulholland)
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UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS Research and Knowledge Exchange by members of our Professoriate
Huge thanks, to everyone for pulling together to keep us moving towards our ambitious RaKE goals.
Several members of our professoriate have stepped forward to undertake additional RaKE responsibilities until a new APVC is appointed.
REF Preparation 1. Driving 4 Outputs* As we enter the critical period for REF2029, the priority across the Faculty is to support the production of world-leading (4*) outputs over the next 12 months. Faculty AHoS are implementing a series of immediate and targeted interventions to identify colleagues capable of producing 4* outputs and to provide tailored support to help them complete high-quality submissions. 2. Submission of Outputs Across Multiple UoAs REF2029 guidance permits an output to be submitted to multiple UoAs within the same institution, provided it meaningfully aligns with each UoA’s disciplinary scope. A best-practice document to support the identification and management of 4* outputs suitable for multiple UoA submissions is being developed. Initial work has been completed between UoA 3 and UoA 24, with further work required between UoA 20 and UoA 3, and between UoA 3 and UoA 23. 3. External Output Review – Round 2 A second round of external review is underway, with selected outputs from all Faculty UoAs currently being assessed by external reviewers. The feedback will support calibration of the internal scoring processes used by the College of Reviewers. Page 6
UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS 4. Guidance for output Review Colleges A formal guidance document to support College Reviewers in the assessment of outputs is in development and will be shared shortly to ensure greater consistency and transparency across review processes. 5. Actions to Strengthen Impact Case Studies (ICS) Ongoing feedback meetings with ICS leads and academics continue to inform the development of ICS across the Faculty. The Impact Team and UoA leads are gaining clarity on progress, identifying areas for further development and support, and exploring opportunities for ICS to be submitted to additional or alternative UoAs where appropriate.
PGR Studies Faculty PGR Operational Committee This committee oversees and coordinates all operational aspects of PGR provision across the Faculty and provides a formal mechanism for aligning Faculty activity with the Graduate School. Its remit includes monitoring progression, examinations, supervision records, attendance and attrition, and acting where required. The committee also plays a central role in fostering a positive research culture and ensuring that PGRs are fully integrated within Schools and the wider Faculty. In addition, it supports recruitment initiatives to help deliver Faculty and School PGR targets, and contributes to the development of partnership opportunities, including joint ventures, industry collaborations and funded studentships. Read more about how our postgraduate researchers are shaping the future of Northumbria’s research, and how Faculty and School research leadership will have greater ownership to positively influence their own environments, in the portfolio update from the Dean of the Graduate School. Page 7
UPDATE FROM OUR ASSOCIATE PRO VICE-CHANCELLORS Research Culture Development of Faculty Research Culture Action Plans Faculty-level Research Culture Action Plans are being developed to align with the University’s overarching plan while addressing specific Faculty needs. These plans aim to cultivate a creative, inclusive and collaborative research environment that supports impactful and ambitious research conducted with integrity, openness and fairness. They will also focus on enabling researchers to build the capacity and confidence needed to produce high-quality outputs and develop their career pathways. Central to these plans is the development of inclusive and vibrant research groups within each School. Read more about the new Research Groups Steering Committee and its role in the portfolio update from the Dean of Research Culture.
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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 • Nursing Times Awards Finalists • Attachment Theory for Social Work Practice: A New Focus • Common Sense Policy Expert Group • Occupational Therapy Week • See Me North • How to thrive as a Social Work student: a guide for students by students • Project CARA (Cautioning and Relationship Abuse) • Innovative and Inclusive Methods in the Sociology of Health and Wellbeing
• MA Social Work Programme students - Fieldtrip to South Africa • Supporting Caregivers through Hospital Discharge • Better Conversations: Talking about Dying, Death and Grief in Higher Education • Vibrant Connections • SHIFT (Substance, Health Investment for Transformation Celebration Event)
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 Alison Machin Learn more about the School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences' headlines for this semester HERE.
• Sciences Champions NHS Careers at Major Regional Event. • Queen's Institute of Community Nursing Ffellowship Award. • Community Specialist Practice Qualification. • Northumbria and Palacký University, Czech Republic. • Visit to the House of Lords for launch of CAIPE’s Interprofessional Education Standards. • IDEAS-NET Updates. • Showcasing our work with the LGBTQ+ Veteran Community. • Strengthening Global Partnerships and Sharing Expertise. • Northern Realist Research Team Hub (NoRTH) - Relaunch! • PhD Successes, Advance HE Fellowships, and Publications. 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. • UK Hoarding Partnership Chair Invited to Brief MPs at Parliament. • Prestigious BPS Award for Write to Wellbeing Team • New Funding to Explore Students' Psychological Ownership of Place. • New British Academy Project Explores Break-Up Hallucinations. • NIHR i4i FAST Funding Success. • RRDN Funding to Enhance Research Engagement. • International Centre for Responsible Gaming Grant Award. • National Recognition for Autism Research.
• Showcasing AI Awareness at the Festival of Social Sciences • Strengthening Links with Grove Special School. • Empowering Voices Project Showcase Creative Storytelling in Gateshead. • TEDI Network Plus Launch Event.
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 and Rehabilitation by Professor Claire Bruce-Martin Learn more about the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation's headlines this semester HERE.
• North East football heroes among this semester's honorary graduates. • From gym instructor to PhD graduate - Northumbria technician's remarkable journey defies the odds. • North East football heroes among this semester's honorary graduates.
• From gym instructor to PhD graduate - Northumbria technician's remarkable journey defies the odds. • Recognition by prestigous European Respiratory Society with Teaching Award. • Northumbria's i2i International Soccer Academy team reach first round of Women's FA Cup • Partnership provides a boost for North East community health research. • Appointment of Deputy Chair of REF UoA24 (Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism). 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.
Estates Updates Technical estates work planned for the new year in Northumberland building includes turning SPF111 into a technical resource room and Phlebotomy currently in NB525c will soon be moving to Nb407 a/b as a shared resource across Schools. Work continues to plan moves out of CLC D block, with the children’s nursing team moving last weekend to G block providing improved accommodation and the opportunity to work in one accessible office as a team. An update at the most recent Faculty Town Hall, gave further information on estates development at City and CLC, including:
• Exploring opportunities to improve spaces at CLC. • Redecoration to improve the appearance of our spaces. • Other minor works such as flooring, blinds and signage. • Addressing concerns about building temperatures and WiFi signal. • Sporting facilities and our overall sport activity offer. • Catering facilities for both staff and students at CLC. • Developments at City Campus including: ◦ Creating a Drop Down Space in Northumberland Building ◦ New SER lab spaces. ◦ Other minor redecoration and refurbishment works in Northumberland Building. Page 13
UPDATES FROM FACULTY OPERATIONS Northumberland Building Drop Down Space A new drop down space has been created in NB260 for colleagues from CLC and City, this includes desks (including a height adjustable), monitors and docking stations and soft seating. A great area for everyone in the Faculty to use and feedback from colleagues on the space so far has been fantastic.
Coach Lane Coffee Facilities A new Costa coffee machine has been acquired for CLC and will be up and running soon, alongside the welcome return of the Coffee Cart.
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UPDATES FROM FACULTY OPERATIONS Technical Teams It’s been a busy year for the technical teams, at CLC the team have taken over technical responsibility for the 1st floor of the OSCE centre and have helped coordinate the repainting of clinic skills alongside a busy teaching timetable. At City Campus, the sport and psychology technical team have supported a wide variety of teaching and research. Ashliegh Keenan is leading the technical team in Health and Wellbeing whilst Amber Cassells is on secondment to the Health and Safety Team. A big thank you to all of the technical team for their work this year and special congratulations to Liam Pearson-Noseworthy who has been awarded the distinguished teaching fellow. Meet the new Health and Wellbeing Technical Team
Faculty Administration The Faculty Administrators have done a fantastic job in supporting the new academic structure, ensuring seamless support to new and existing colleagues in the schools. They joined a recent briefing on our finance structure and will shortly be work shadowing procurement colleagues to gain a greater understanding of the end to end process of purchasing/budgeting. The team work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure payments and orders are processed for all schools and are involved in everything from payroll claims to ordering stationery. We are constantly looking to improve our processes and have recently been involved in the project One Northumbria to streamline events planning, a new form will be launched in January making it much easier to plan events. Meet the Faculty Administration Team And finally, another big thank you to the Faculty administration team and our Executive Assistant for the work over the past year, often unseen, to keep the Faculty operating smoothly and efficiently. Have a wonderful festive break and happy New Year to you all. Page 15