Lecturer in Veterinary Professional Development, Harper & Keele Veterinary School

Initially worked in small animal clinical veterinary practice 2011-2019 including locum work more latterly. Enjoyed more autonomy associated with locum placements, alongside visiting different practices and seeing different team dynamics, approaches.

2019 move into post as lecturer and course manager in Higher Education – including on BSc(Hons) veterinary nursing BSc equine science & BSc animal science programmes. Enjoyed transition, new challenges and exploring educational sector. Rewarding seeing, and helping students to learn, develop, achieve. Enjoyed input to creation and development of new BSc(Hons) Veterinary nursing programme and being able to get involved in development of new content, module creation, assessment design. Also allowed achievement of PGCert(LTHE) and Fellowship of the Higher Education Authority, alongside qualifications in workplace assessment.

Step to progress into an exciting and evolving role focusing on education specifically of veterinary students. Initially clinical teaching fellow position at HKVS with progression into position as Lecturer in Veterinary Professional studies. Also recently taken on role of ‘Clinical Teaching Fellow Team Lead’ for the Keele campus

BVSc MRCVS

PGCert(LTHE) FHEA

Experience as previous Lecturer and Course Manager in Higher Education

• Love the opportunity to be involved in curriculum planning and design
• Making a difference, collaborating on (sometimes big) ideas and seeing them come to fruition
• Love working as part of a forward thinking, supportive and collaborative team
• Love the opportunity to make a real difference to the education of future veterinary professionals
• Downsides – high marking workload, sometimes pinch points with multiple demands on time – often nature of Higher Education work and academic year design

Collaborative meetings relating to curriculum development, refinement and planning. Creating module content including lecture material, tutorial sessions and guided online learning sessions. Liaising with guest speakers and external organisations and stakeholders to arrange learning activities and engagement opportunities. Academic mentor meetings with students to check progress, respond to queries and/or signpost support.

Someone who loves to be involved in change, especially around the Veterinary curriculum, and likes being organised. Someone who enjoys both autonomy and working as part of a team.

Initially when transitioning into a lecturing role the fear of lecturing to large cohorts and ‘not knowing all the answers’. Overcame this by trying it, then becoming more familiar – did feel unnatural at first! Also by realising that its okay (and actually human) sometimes not to know, and a good opportunity to delegate research tasks and/or admit you are human.

Some previous teaching experience – already achieved

Valuable to have PGCert(LTHE) FHEA although support to work towards if needed

Explore the field. Reach out and try it!

Explore the field – try it out and have a go.

Guest lecturing is often a really great way to ‘dip your toe’ into the water and see if you enjoy it – Reach out!