I am a lecturer in Medical Education, Senior Adviser and Disability Liaison Officer within Norwich Medical School. I support students with academic and pastoral needs, reasonable adjustments, and study skills. 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 have previously worked as 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. Prior to this I worked 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 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.

I am a Senior Charter Assessor for Student Minds' University Mental Health Charter.

I was 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

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