Department appoints new Deputy Head of Department (Teaching)
Posted on 1 July 2025
Jess qualified as a nurse 1999 from the University of Leeds and completed her BSc (Hons) in Health Care Practice at York in 2007. She held a variety of clinical positions in cardiothoracics, coronary care and cardiac rehabilitation before joining the Department of Health Sciences in 2009. Subsequently she completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, became a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Teacher, and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her Master of Education and doctoral studies focus on philosophical approaches to curriculum design.
Jess has undertaken a number of leadership roles in the Department, including Programme Lead for the pre-registration BSc (Hons) and Masters in Nursing between 2017 - 2022. Jess was instrumental in the development of the current BSc and MNursing programmes currently offered by the Department and which underpin a range of other education provision.
Jess teaches across the Department’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and has a special interest in cardiology, acute and critical care and simulation based education. She also has significant experience in interdisciplinary learning and teaching, frequently working with Paramedics or healthcare professionals working in the pre-hospital setting. Her research and scholarly activity focus on curriculum development.
Outside of the department Jessica acts as a University mentor and her external activities include external examining positions, membership of the RCN, NMC, CoDoH steering groups and the RCUK amongst others.
Jess said: “I am thrilled to be stepping into the DHoD position in September. We are lucky to work with talented and enthusiastic colleagues in the DoHS and offer very strong programmes of education. Over the coming months and years I’m looking forward to working alongside my peers to strengthen our provision further, and will be prioritising our wellbeing and support of one another.”
Professor Kate Flemming, Head of Department said: “I am delighted that Jess has been appointed to the Deputy Head of Department for Teaching position. Jess brings substantive educational leadership experience to this important role and I am excited to have the opportunity to be working alongside her in our senior leadership team."