About
Denise qualified as a physiotherapist in 1983 and until 2001 was a clinical manager in the National Health Service responsible for the operational management and continuing professional development of physiotherapists and occupational therapists. During this time she attained a Masters of Arts degree in Industrial Relations and a Masters in Business Administration degree, both of which facilitated greater understanding of the professional role within the health care arena.
Denise commenced employment with The University of Liverpool in 2001 and has had various cross faculty roles over the last twenty years. Her current role commenced in December 2023, where she is the Education Projects Lead for the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, her current focus is on the development of a cross-faculty, shared clinical curriculum as part of the exciting new Academic Health Science Campus development. Prior to this, Denise was Dean of the School of Health Sciences (SoHS) from January 2020 until November 2023. The School provides healthcare education and training to people at all stages of their careers in diagnostic radiography, nursing, occupational therapy, orthoptics, physiotherapy, and therapeutic radiography and oncology. During her tenure, and in response to healthcare workforce requirements, Denise led the expansion of intake numbers from 950 to over 1600 students, and an increase in the portfolio of programmes from thirteen to twenty three. Throughout Denise ensured that all programmes met professional and regulatory body requirements, equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to become healthcare registrants. In recognition of her leadership abilities and impact upon SOHS and the future healthcare workforce, Denise was awarded the University of Liverpool Inspirational Leader of the Year award for 2023.
Before this, Denise was Director of the Centre for Educational Development and Support with a cross faculty remit to promote educational development and digital development across the Faculty. During this time Denise worked collaboratively with numerous external stakeholders including The Council of Europe, Astra Zeneca, Liverpool Health Partners, The Innovation Agency and numerous regional healthcare organisations. Successfully completing projects which had local, regional, national and international impact.
A physiotherapist by base profession, Denise has extensive experience of working in both clinical practice and in higher education, and is a member of numerous professional body committees and steering groups. Denise is also an Independent Academic Council Member for BPP University where she supports educational development and governance. In addition, she is a member of the International Technology, Education and Development (INTED) Advisory Board (2019-present), the largest supplier of international digital education & innovation conferences for lecturers, researchers, technologists and professionals from the educational sector.
Her scholarly interests lie in the use of digital innovation and education for clinical practitioners, high-fidelity clinical simulation, and advanced clinical practice development.
Prizes or Honours
- Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) (Advance HE, 2021)
- University of Liverpool Staff Award (University of Liverpool, 2020)
- Royal Liverpool Badge (Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, 2019)