Ruth Trout is a highly experienced academic and registered Adult Nurse with over three decades of clinical and educational expertise in acute and specialist care. She holds a Diploma, BSc, MSc in nursing and related disciplines, alongside a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education. Since joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2010, she has made a significant contribution to post-registration nursing education, with specialist teaching and curriculum leadership in neuroscience, stroke care, trauma, plastic surgery, and dementia.

As Programme Lead for the BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Healthcare since 2017, Ruth has overseen the development, validation, and delivery of innovative modules and bespoke CPD courses for both UK and international cohorts. She has extensive experience in cross-institutional collaboration, having served as Partnership Tutor for international osteopathy programmes and UK based renal courses and as Academic lead for partner NHS Trust specialist courses. Her leadership extends beyond teaching, with experience as Joint Head of the Continuing Professional Development team and responsibility for complex programme revalidations involving multiple degree pathways and affiliate modules.

Ruth’s teaching practice is underpinned by a commitment to high academic standards, practical relevance, and student-centred learning. She is an award-winning educator, recognised multiple times as "Most Inspirational Lecturer," and a sought-after designer of specialist CPD programmes for healthcare professionals across diverse clinical fields.

Her professional engagement spans editorial work, peer review, and conference contributions at national and international levels. She serves on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing and is a regular external academic reviewer for UK and international universities. Ruth’s scholarly work includes publications in peer-reviewed journals, contributions to professional manuals, and co-editorship of forthcoming specialist texts. She has delivered keynote presentations and chaired sessions at major conferences, including the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses Quadrennial Conference.

Ruth’s clinical background includes senior nursing roles in neurosurgery, intensive care, trauma, and advanced practice. This experience continues to inform her teaching, ensuring students benefit from her depth of knowledge, real-world insight, and dedication to advancing nursing practice through education.

Research and Scholarly Interests

• Neuroscience nursing education and practice
• Stroke care and rehabilitation
• Dementia care and workforce development
• Critical care and trauma nursing
• Academic skills development for healthcare professionals
• Brain health promotion and policy

Selected Roles and Achievements

• Programme Lead, BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Healthcare (2017–present)
• Joint Head of CPD Department (2021–2022, E.R.A. until 2023)
• Lead for revalidation of all CPD programmes (2023)
• Multiple national and international CPD course designs in neuroscience, trauma, dementia, and critical care
• Editorial Board Member, British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing
• Winner of Most Inspirational Lecturer Award (2015, 2016, 2017)

External Engagement

• Scientific Panel Member, WFNN Quadrennial Conference (2025)
• External Academic Reviewer for MSc and CPD programmes (UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia)
• Co-Editor, Stroke: Understanding the Lived Experience (forthcoming, 2025)
• Contributor, Critical Care Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures (Neuroscience Chapter, 2024)
• Contributor to international brain health policy initiatives (Time Matters: A Call to Prioritise Brain Health)

Publications and Presentations

Ruth has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers. Recent work includes publications on the Glasgow Coma Scale including co-editing The Glasgow Coma Scale: An International Standard for education and practice with adults. This is the only peer reviewed, evidence-based guideline for teaching GCS assessment and it has been published internationally. Other publications include innovation in CPD course design, and the evaluation of specialist neuroscience education programmes. She has presented at high-profile events including the WFNN Quadrennial Conference, Advance HE NET Conference, and the European Association of Neuroscience Nurses Congress.

View Ruth's Research repository.