I am a Research Associate in Optimising Wellbeing, and a Senior Wellbeing Advisor in Norwich Medical School. I currently work on the NICHE funded project exploring Interprofessional Student Schwartz Rounds and their role as a form of reflective practice in supporting the wellbeing of health and social care trainees.

I am the Patient and Public Involvement Lead in the NIHR Funded 'Changing the trajectories of mental health difficulties in Norfolk and Suffolk: a research-priority-setting project with patients, the public, clinicians, policymakers and stakeholders' project.

I also work as a Senior Adviser for MBBS students, supporting them with academic and pastoral needs, reasonable adjustments, and study skills. I work closely with academic advisers to help them support their advisees and am a Disability Liaison Officer. I attend Fitness to Practice and Welfare Engagement Meetings with students as an Adviser, and regularly meet with colleagues in Student Services and across the Medical School to advise on placement requests, occupational health and disability related issues.

I completed my PhD in the School of Health Sciences in September 2023 with the thesis 'Understanding Postgraduate Research Students Disclosure of Mental Health Challenges within the UK University Context'.

Prior to this, I completed my MSc in Clinical Psychological Research (Distinction) and BSc Psychology and Philosophy (2:1) at Keele University. 

I am interested in mental health, student and PGR mental health, disclosure and help-seeking, particularly for students with caring responsibilities and those in medical and health training programmes.

• Zile, A., Owen, J., Gorick, H., Orford, A., Panagiotaki, G. (2024). Schwartz Rounds in Higher Education settings: a systematic review of the research with recommendations. Research in Higher Education. (under review)
• Spacey, R., Sanderson, R., Zile A. (2024). Who Cares? Identifying, understanding, and supporting the study, work and life balance and wellbeing of students with caring responsibilities: Final Report. University of Lincoln
• Spacey, R., Sanderson, R., Zile, A. (2024). The care-less academy? Making space for parents and carers in higher education. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning. 26 (1).
• Zile A., Porter, B., Crozier, K., Sanderson, K. (2023). The mental health of UK Postgraduate Research Students following the COVID-19 pandemic. Education Sciences. 13 (11)
• Spacey, R., Sanderson, R. and Zile, A. (2022) Who Cares? Identifying, understanding, and supporting the work-life balance and wellbeing of students with caring responsibilities. IMPact e-journal.
• Jackman, C., Sanderson, R., Haughey, T. J., Brett, C. E., White, N., Zile, A., Tyrrell, K. & Byrom, N. C. (2021). The impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK for doctoral and early career researchers. Higher Education
• https://wonkhe.com/blogs/who-cares-about-the-carers/
• https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230214074542959

I have worked closely for a number of years with Student Minds (the UK's student mental health charity), as a member of their Personal Experience Advisory Committee in 2013, their Steering Group in 2015 and as a member of their Policy Panel. I currently work as a University Mental Health Charter Assessor. 

I am a co-facilitator of the SMaRteN Early Career Researcher Lab Group, and worked with SMaRteN and Vitae on research around the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of PhD students and early career researchers.

I am a trained Mental Health First Aider, physical health First Aider, i-Act practitioner and Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Invited Talks

• European College of Neuroscience (2024) 37^th ENCP Congress, Understanding disclosure of mental health challenges within academia
• The Faraday Institute (2024) Postgraduate Researcher Mental Health
• University of East Anglia Lifespan and Population Health Conference (2024) Post-PhD Careers panellist
• Student Mental Health Research Conference (2024) Working with intentionality and wellbeing workshop
• Universities UK Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference (2023) Compassionate academic processes and communication
• Durham University Research Development Conference (2023) Accessing support for mental health as an LGBTQ+ student
• University Alliance Doctoral Training Partnership (2023) University Mental Health Day Conference
• UKCGE Belonging in Postgraduate Researchers (2023) workshop
• Arden University QUEST Seminar Series (2022) seminar
• Student Mental Health Research Network (2021) seminar
• UKCGE 2^nd International Conference on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Postgraduate Researchers (2021) Keynote panellist
• National Association of Disability Practitioners Conference (2014) Keynote speaker
• Student Minds Grand Challenges Conference (2014) Panellist

Oral presentations

• University of East Anglia Lifespan and Population Health Conference (2024) 10 minute presentation
• Student Mental Health Research Network Conference (2024) 3 minute presentation
• Advance HE Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference (2024) 10 minute presentation
• UKCGE 3rd International Conference on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Postgraduate Researchers (2022) 2x small group workshops
• SMaRteN Network Showcase (2022) Lightning talk & Poster
• European Psychiatric Association Section of Epidemiology and Social Psychiatry Congress (2022) ECR Rapid-fire presentation
• UKCGE International Conference on Doctoral Education (2022) 10 minute presentation
• City University of London Student Mental Health Conference (2022) Poster presentation
• Institute of Mental Health Annual Conference (2022) 5 minute presentation
• 2^nd International Conference on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Postgraduate Researchers (2021) Keynote Panellist and 20:20 Presentation
• University of East Anglia Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Postgraduate Research Conferences Poster (2020) 10 minute talk (2021)
• Keele University Postgraduate Student Psychology Conference (2015) 10 minute presentation
• British Psychological Society Annual Conference (2014) Research poster

Funding

• Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion prize: £1000
• National Institute for Health and Care Research: Mental Health Research Development Awards: £120,804 ‘Changing the trajectories of mental health difficulties in Norfolk and Suffolk: a research-priority-setting project with patients, the public, clinicians, policymakers and stakeholders’ (PI: Dr Sherifat Oduola)
• Student Mental Health Research Network (SMaRteN): £25,000 ‘Who Cares? Identifying, understanding, and supporting the work-life balance of students with caring responsibilities’ (PI: Dr Rachel Spacey)
• British Psychological Society Research Assistantship: Project time and £1600 living costs

Awards

• Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Prize for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (2024) 
• Lifespan and Population Health Conference (2024): Early Career Researcher Oral Presentation - 1st Place Prize
• Lifespan and Population Health Conference (2024): Early Career Researcher Poster Presentation - 1st Place Prize  
• UEASU Transforming Education Awards 'Advocate for Students' (2024) - Nominated
• UEA Engagement Award (2024) - Nominated
• NICHE Conference (2023): Poster Presentation - 2nd Place Prize
• Special Merit in Research Award (2022), University of East Anglia Researcher Summit: Received for my PhD work
• Outstanding Contribution to the Postgraduate Community Award (2022), UEASU: Received for my contributions to the Postgraduate Student Community
• Engagement Award (2021/2022), University of East Anglia: Received as part of Headucate: University of East Anglia’s outreach work
• Impact and Innovation Award Finalist, University of East Anglia: Finalist for the ‘Impact and Innovation Awards’ as part of Headucate UEA

Personal and Professional Development:

• University Mental Health Advisers Network - Award Judging Panel (invited, 2024)
• FMH Ethics Committee Member (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2024-present)
• Staff Wellbeing Ambassador (Norwich Medical School, 2023-present)
• Staff Wellbeing Ambassador (School of Health Sciences, 2022-2023)
• Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee: Postgraduate Representative (School of Health Sciences, 2021-2023)
• PGR Representative, School of Health Sciences (2021-2023)
• Bitesize PhD Seminar co-facilitator, University of East Anglia Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (2021-2023)
• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2021-present)
• University Mental Health Charter Assessor (2021-present)
• Mental Health First Aider (2020-present)
• Dementia Friend (2020-present)
• Registered IAPT Practitioner (2022-present)
• Peer Assisted Learning Mentor (2021-2023)
• Student Mental Health Research Network Early Career and Postgraduate Researcher Lab Group co-facilitator, SMaRteN (2020-present)

Teaching Experience

• MBBS (Problem Based Learning) facilitated weekly problem-based learning workshops for Year 1 and Year 3 students, including providing pastoral support and signposting.
• MBBS (Medical Research Module) Delivered multiple workshops and marked 40 Analytical Review assignments (>500 words)
• Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Degree Programme (Research Practice Module) Developed and delivered multiple lectures on Qualitative Methods
• Occupational Therapy Degree Programme (Evidence Based Practice Module) Marked 25 summative essays
• MSc Mental Health Nursing: Adult and Children (Principles and Practice of Health Research Module) Developed and delivered multiple lectures on Qualitative Methods
• Brilliant Club Seren Award (Researching Mental Health and Wellbeing) Developed and delivered seminars and marked 36 800-1,000-word essays