Before joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2025, I held the position of Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the University of Northampton (UON), where I taught primarily on the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme. During my time there, I also embraced the opportunity to serve as Student Experience Lead for the Faculty of Health, Education and Society (FHES) - a dynamic role that deepened my engagement with the broader landscape of higher education and student development. 

I studied for my academic qualifications at University College Northampton (now UON), where I earned my BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy, followed by an MSc in Occupational Therapy from the University of Derby. I later pursued a Master in Public Health (MPH) at Staffordshire University and completed my Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) at Glyndwr University (now Wrexham University), awarded by the University of Wales. My doctoral research employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the time use of adults at risk of reoffending in the community across England and Wales. Thanks to Professor Iolo Madoc-Jones and Dr Joanna Pike for greater support and supervision. My research interests span public mental health, time use, racial and minoritised groups, people at risk of reoffending, and community-based practice. 

I am a member of several professional bodies that reflect my interdisciplinary expertise and commitment to ethical practice. These include the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). My dual registration as an Occupational Therapist and Integrative Counsellor allows me to work holistically as both a ‘doing and talking’ therapist. 

My specialist knowledge has led me to work with individuals across a wide range of settings, including acute hospitals, physical rehabilitation, and community-based services. Over 22 years of practice experience - 15 of which were in independent practice, have shaped my passion for working with people in the environments where life truly unfolds. I have supported both young and older adults with multiple and complex needs, always driven by a commitment to occupational and social justice. My work continues to focus on dismantling barriers that prevent individuals from living meaningful, empowered lives. 

My greatest accolade to date is the sum of all I have achieved - personally and professionally - especially in light of being told by a secondary school teacher that I would not amount to much. My journey into higher education, which I never imagined possible, stands as a testament to my resilience, purpose, and the transformative power of belief. Today, I am proud to contribute to a teaching and learning experience that is inclusive, curiosity-driven, and industry-informed, preparing students for impactful careers both in the UK and internationally and helping to drive our profession forward.