Tell us a bit about yourself
I have taught at Cumbria since 2017, originally as a part-time clinical academic before becoming a full-time lecturer in 2020. I was always interested in teaching and so I think this was a natural progression for me!
What practice experience do you have and how did you transition to academia?
Prior to teaching on the Radiography programme, I worked as a diagnostic radiographer within my local hospital. This was a role I held for four years, part of which was spent working as a clinical tutor mentoring radiography students from the University of Cumbria. I jumped at the opportunity to work for Cumbria, even though I hadn’t been qualified for very long, because I felt like this was the right career path for me.
Tell us about your current research
I am currently undertaking research with radiography students/reporting radiographers which explores the human interaction with AI in medical image interpretation. I hope to have all data collection/analysis complete by December 2024.
What modules do you teach and what is your favourite part of these?
I teach two Level 5 modules, one of which is clinically focused and the other is a research module. I really enjoy the combination of practical and theoretical teaching and the mix of formal/informal teaching.
What makes your course different?
The staff really care about the students and develop close working relationships with the students.
What advice would you give to students considering studying on this course?
We have close-knit classes, which means that we really get to know the students. Not something you might encounter in a larger institution!
What’s your favourite thing about teaching at Cumbria?
Working with a diverse range of students!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
In 2012, I completed Ironman UK (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run) in 13 hours, placing 5th in my age group.