Healthcare Educational Research and Evaluation
Advancing health and social care education through research, networking and innovation.

Introduction
Healthcare Educational Research and Evaluation (HERE) is an international network of healthcare and social care professionals and academics. Founded in 2018 by Professor Ann Ooms, our mission is to improve health and social care education through innovative research and evaluation.
We’re passionate about advancing the learning and professional development of current and future health and social care professionals. Our research ensures that students and practitioners gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to thrive in their roles.
What we do
HERE brings together a dynamic group of professionals, including nurses, midwives, psychologists, physiotherapists, radiographers, social workers and more. Through our work and research, we aim to:
- Design engaging and effective learning experiences.
- Improve professional development in health and social care.
- Build strong partnerships with care providers and commissioners to drive change.
How we connect
Regular meetings: Join our online discussions every six weeks to share insights and drive projects forward.
Conferences: Attend our hybrid conferences held twice a year to connect and collaborate.
Newsletters: Stay up to date with our monthly updates featuring the latest research, events and opportunities.
Members and students
Professor Ann Ooms, Professor of Higher Education Research, Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Farahrouz Abdollahzadehnamini, PhD student in Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Farrukh Akhtar, Associate Professor Social Work, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Lindsay Allister, Senior Lecturer Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Shreya Arora, PhD student, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Professor in Nursing, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern, Switzerland
- Anjela Billat, Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Strategic Policy Adviser, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium
- Carmel Blackie, Associate Professor Primary Health Care and Community Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Professor of General, Clinical, and Pediatric Nursing Sciences, University of Parma, Italy
- Mary Brady, Senior Lecturer Children's Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Director of Nursing, South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK
- Dr Mark Brown, Senior Lecturer Learning Disabilities Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Aga Buckley, Senior Lecturer Social Work, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Amalia Burca Bouch, Senior Lecturer Children's Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Rob Burton, Former Associate Professor Nursing, Northumbria University, UK
- Professor Christina Butler, Professor of International Management & Organisational Behaviour, Kingston UniversityBusiness School, UK
- , Professor in Qualitative Methods in Health and Social Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern, Switzerland.
- , Assistant Professor in Midwifery, Bartin University, Turkey
- Dr Michelle Carter, Associate Professor Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Deputy Director of Quality and Deputy Chief Nurse, CSH Surrey
- Yogini Chokeepermal-Naidu, Associate Professor Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Zoe Clark, Associate Professor Quality and Accreditation, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Professor, Southeastern Louisiana University, USA
- , Professor in Nursing, University North Carolina Charlotte, USA
- Sophie Craven, Senior Lecturer Learning Disabilities Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Liz Crighton, Associate Professor Children's Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Teaching Fellow, Southampton University, UK
- , Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, St Georges, University of London, UK
- Paula Cummins, Senior Lecturer Midwifery, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Professor Kathy Curtis, Dean of the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Professor Emerita of English and Gerontology, University North Carolina Charlotte, USA
- , Principal Academic Adult Nursing, Bournemouth University, UK
- , Professor of BioStatistics and Health Economics, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Switzerland
- Professor Vari Drennan MBE, Professor of Health Care & Policy Research, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Jane Dundas, Senior Lecturer Clinical Leadership and Management, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Ghada El Khoury, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Scientific Associate, University of West Attica, Greece
- Natalie Fitz-Costa, Senior Lecturer in Children's Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Research Fellow, University of Kent, UK
- , Professor in Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
- Judith Francois, Senior Lecturer Clinical Leadership and Management, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Helen Freedman, Senior Lecturer Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Former Head of School of Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Former Associate Professor Mental Health Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Lindsay Gillman, Associate Professor Midwifery, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Stephen Gourlay, Associate Professor, Kingston UniversityBusiness School, UK
- Dr Michelle Grainger, Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Former Associate Professor Learning Disabilities Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Satu Hakala, Senior Lecturer Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Professor of Interprofessional Practice, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK
- , Assistant Professor, Northumbria University, UK
- Dr Celayne Heaton-Shrestha, Research Fellow, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Acting Associate Director of Nursing Education, Development & Quality South West London & St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust, UK
- Louise Howard, Associate Professor Mental Health Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Annie Hughes, Head of the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Partnerships, Placements and Employability, City, University of London, UK
- Jessica Inch, Senior Lecturer Practice Learning, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Louise Jolly, Lecturer Midwifery, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Research Fellow, University of West Attica, Greece
- Martyn Keen, Senior Lecturer Clinical Leadership and Management, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Principal Lecturer, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- Heather Kincaid, Senior Lecturer Critical Care, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Carol Kinsella Frost, Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Ana Lagarto, Senior Lecturer Midwifery, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Professor in Nursing Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK
- , Assistant Professor Physiotherapy, Coventry University, UK
- Lucie Llewellyn, Associate Professor Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Lee Lui, Senior Lecturer Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Lecturer in Health Services Research, University of Surrey, UK
- Yousif Saleh Mahdi, PhD Student Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Omar Mansaray, Senior Lecturer Mental Health Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Leanne May, Senior Lecturer Pharmacy. Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Professor, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
- Claire Mckellow, Associate Professor Midwifery, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecturer in Health and Wellbeing, St Georges, University of London, UK
- , Senior Lecturer and Higher Education Developer, Kristianstad University, Sweden
- Dr Ricarda Micallef, Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Maria Milner, Senior Lecturer Children's Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Hannah Moir, Senior Fellow and Senior Medical Writer at Emergency Medicine Journal, UK
- Sherryl Mpando, Senior Lecturer Mental Health Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Professor Wilson Muleya, Professor of Social Work and Head of the Department of Social Work and Social Care, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Reader in Nutrition and Health, London Metropolitan University, UK
- Alexandra Murrell, Senior Lecturer in Prescribing and Clinical Reasoning, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Shereen Nabhani-Gebara, Professor in Oncology, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Professor in Medical Science, Kristianstad University, Sweden
- , Senior Lecturer in Community Nursing, University of Surrey, UK
- Dr Paty Paliokosta, Associate Professor Inclusive Education, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecturer, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- Dr Gillian Pedley, Associate Professor Workforce Development, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecturer and Researcher, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
- , Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Jo Powell, Senior Lecturer Adult and Community Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Professor Jayne Price, Professor of Children's Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Elizabeth Pummel, Senior Lecturer Sport and Exercise Psychology, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , St George's University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, UK
- Michelle Radcliffe, Senior Lecturer Mental Health Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecture Mental Health Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Hazel Ransome, Senior Lecturer Midwifery, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Sally Richardson, Associate Professor in Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Professor Fiona Ross, Professor Emerita of Health and Social Care, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Marina Russ, Senior Lecturer Learning Disabilities Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Nicola Ryan, Senior Lecturer Mental Health Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , PhD student, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecturer General Practice & Medical Education, St Georges, University of London, UK
- Siby Sikhamoni, Senior Lecturer Critical and Acute Care, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Research Associate, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Associate Professor Radiography, Health Sciences University, UK
- , Assistant Professor Nursing Management and Education, University of West Attica, Greece
- , South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, UK
- Susan Strong, Former Senior Lecturer Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Theodora Stroumpouki, Senior Lecturer Nursing Research and Development, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Personal Tutor, University of Surrey, UK
- Astrid Tangoan, Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Baljit Thatti, Associate Professor Analytical and Forensic Chemistry, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecturer Paramedic Science, Centre for Allied Health, St George's, University of London, UK
- Professor Claire Thurgate, Head of School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Senior Lecturer Physiotherapy, St Georges, University of London, UK
- , Professor of Nursing and Gerontology, University North Carolina Charlotte, USA
- , PhD student, University of West Attica, Greece
- , Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Middlesex University, UK
- , Matron and Practice Educator, University Hospital Brussels (HUB/UZB), Belgium
- , Senior Lecturer in Health Care, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
- , Professor of Midwifery at University of Luxembourg; Head of Department of Midwifery, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Belgium
- , Senior Social Worker and Practice Educator, Surrey County Council, UK
- Dr Hilary Wason, Associate Professor and Head of Curriculum Development and Enhancement, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Penelope Williams, PhD student in Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Dr Lihua Wu, Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- Christiana Wuche, Senior Lecturer Adult Nursing, Kingston UniversityLondon, UK
- , Professor in Midwifery at Selçuk University, Turkey
- , Professor, University North Carolina Charlotte, USA
- , Pharmacist, UK
- , Associate Professor in Midwifery, Ege University, Turkey
- , Associate Professor in Midwifery, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Turkey
Shreya Arora
- Project title: Using the PEN-3 model as a theoretical framework to understand donation behaviours in ethnically diverse populations: a qualitative study.
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Supervisors: Tushna Vandrevala, Ingrid Bacon and Paty Paliokosta
Rachael Crocker
- Project title: Midwives' experiences and perceptions of using the Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA) to assess the proficiency of midwifery students in England and Northern Ireland.
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Supervisors: Lindsay Gillman, Ann Ooms and Jacqui Williams
Lee Lui
- Project title: The relationship between emotional intelligence and compassion in trainee nursing associates.
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Supervisors: Ann Ooms and Kathy Curtis
Yousif Saleh Mahdi
- Project title: Cultural and Religious Influences on Nurses Attitudes Towards Mental Health Services Users Who Self-Harm: A Cross-Cultural Study Between the UK and Qatar
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Supervisors: Mary Chambers and Iris Gault
Omar Mansaray
- Project title: Is English as a second language relevant to the academic success and degree attainment in higher education for students from African backgrounds in the UK?
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Supervisors: Tushna Vandrevala and Ann Ooms
Carla Ambrogina Pedrazzani
- Project title:
- University: University of Basel, Switzerland
- Supervisors:
Nicola Ryan
- Project title: Health, Education, Social Work and Midwifery students' knowledge, skills and attitudes of Neurodevelopmental Conditions.
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Supervisors: Ann Ooms, Paty Paliokosta and Mark Brown
Eva Said
- Project title: Improving practice through the collaborative development of a clinical nursing education model for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
- Supervisors: Kirstie Coxon and Iris Gault
Penelope Williams
- Project title: The provision of undergraduate clinical placements for healthcare students within Primary Care: helping to ensure sustainability and effectiveness of the Primary Care services of the future.
- University: ÖØ¿ÚζSM
Supervisors: Vari Drennan and Ann Ooms
Projects
Ooms, A. (PI), Heaton-Shrestha, C., Drennan, V., Halter, M., Thurgate, C., Kayyali, R., Sims, G., Muleya, W., Price, J., Taylor, F., Stroumpouki, T., Micallef, R., Ransome, H., Akhtar, F., & Wu, L. (2024).
A participatory preparatory project to research the well-being of health and social care students on placement and its subsequent influence on future career aspirations. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research Grants, ÖØ¿ÚζSM, £21,312.
- Kayyali, R., Cockett, A., Ooms, A., Harries, C., & El Nabhani, S. (2024). Insight: Inspiring students into Research. National Institute for Health and Care Grant, £9,000.
- Hammond, J.A., James, D. & Ewart, L. (2024). NHSE Workforce Training & Education London for project to evaluate the impact of a training package for safe learning environment practitioners to provide pastoral support for students on placement, £7,000.
- Crighton, E., Price, J.E., Syreti, N., Cockett, A. & Russ, M. (2023). HELP CYP. HEE grant, £30,000.
- Drennan, V., Thurgate, C. & Wu, L. & Halter, M. (2023). Addressing the retention of home visiting community nurses in England: A mixed methods study of strategies, impact and outcomes. General Nursing Council Trust, £39,964.
- Thatti, Baljit (2023). Integrating Anti-racism, Social Justice and Equity into the Chemical Sciences Curriculum. Royal Society of Chemistry grant, £96,243.
- Ooms, A., Price, J., Drennan, V., Halter, M., Hood, R. & Thurgate, C. (2023). HEalth and social CAre workforce developmenT and Education (HECATE). Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research Grants, ÖØ¿ÚζSM, £9,550.
- Hammond J.A. & Ewart, L. (2023). NHSE Workforce Training & Education South East for project to support AHP Educator Framework implementation. £10,000.
- Ooms, A. (PI) & Heaton-Shrestha, C. (2023). Exploring the psycho-social impact on Healthcare Students and Professionals when silencing or raising concerns: a pilot study. Kingston UniversitySupporting Bidding Excellence Grant, £8,800.
- Thurgate, C. (2023). Facilitating the implementation of Early Career Academics within Healthcare Education. London Higher grant, £13,000.
- Collins, L. (2023). Population Health and Promoting Positive Health Outcomes with Medicaid: Evaluation Study. Louisiana Department of Health Public University Partnership Programme grant, $174,736.
- De Rezende, H. (2023). Research mobility grant, The International Network of Universities, £2,500.
- De Rezende, H. (2023). Innovative dissemination of a systematic review on the effectiveness of educational interventions to develop patient safety knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes in undergraduate nursing students. Sigma Theta Tau International Phi Mu Chapter 2023 grant, £500.
- Kincaid, H. & Sikhamoni, S. (2023). Understanding the academic needs of overseas-trained nurses engaging in critical care programmes within higher education. School of Nursing Small Research Projects Scheme Grants, £4,612.
- Crighton, E., Price, J.E., Howard, L. & Milner, M. (2023). An exploration/evaluation of the use of social media in nurse education. School of Nursing Small Research Projects Scheme Grants, £3,990.
- Cham, K., Vallee Tourangeau, G., Dehmeshki, J., Argyriou, V. & Ooms, A. (2023). Human Centred Behavioural Analytics for In-Silico Vigilance & Validation in XR for Medicine & Surgery. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research Grants, ÖØ¿ÚζSM, £50,000.
- Price, J.E. & Richardson, S. (2023). SLincH UK. Seed corn funding, £10,000.
- Heaton-Shrestha, C. (PI), Ooms, A., Drennan, V., Dundas, J., Howard, L., Pedley, G. & Francois, J. (2023). Evaluation of the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) Training Programme. St George's Hospital Charity Grant, £1,200.
- Paliokosta, P., Nash Patel, T., Ooms, A., Millar, B. (2022). Transforming the curriculum, through a narrative of activism. Kingston UniversityImpact Award, £7,880.
- Jordan, P.J., Argenbright, C., Jiménez-Herrera, M., Moriyama, M., Mayumi, K., De Rezende, H. & Mangrio, E. (2022). The Use of Virtual Learning Spaces to Cultivate Cultural Competency and Leadership for Global Citizenship in nursing. The International Network of Universities, $10,000.
- Blackie, C., Curtis, K. & Ooms, A. (2022). Kingston UniversityCommunity Nursing Simulated Learning. Grant submitted to Health Education England, £29,051.
- De Rezende, H. (2022). Research Mobility Program Grant. The International Network of Universities, $2,000.
- De Rezende, H. (2022). Perceptions of patient safety competence among nursing and nursing associate students: a comparative cross-sectional study. First Grant Scheme, Kington University, £6,174.
- Bacon, I. (2021). An investigation of Maladaptive Schemas correlated with Co-dependency in Nursing Students: A pilot study. Centre of Applied Health and Social Care Research First Grant Scheme, £5,487.
- Russ, M. (2021). Regional Learning Disabilities Nursing Simulation. Health Education England 2020-2021 Clinical Placement Expansion Programme grant, £30,500.
- De Rezende, H. (2022). Perceptions of patient safety competence among nursing and nursing associate students: a comparative cross-sectional study. First Grant Scheme, Kington University, £6,174.
- Ramdharry, G. (PI), Hammond, J. A., Walumbe, J., Wright, A. and Adonis, A. (2021). Investigation the experiences, barriers and potential future enablers of BAME AHPs achieving Advanced Clinical Practice roles and careers. Health Education England, £40,000.
- Norris, M. (PI), Hammond J.A., Dairo, Y., and Williams, A. (2021). Development of a Practice education training programme for AHP educators (clinical and university based) to enhance awareness, understanding of race and racism and its impact and develop strategies in order to supervise without prejudice. Health Education England, £60,000.
- Ooms, A. (PI), Ponto, M., & Gale, J. (2019-2020). Embedding and Enabling the Trainee Nursing Associate Programme between Higher Education Institutions and Employers. Health Education England (HEE) grant, £55,991.
- Ponto, M. (PI), Ooms, A., & Gale, J. (2019-2020). Delivering the Nursing Associate Workforce across Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) Footprints. Health Education England (HEE) grant, £55,934.
- Ross, F. (2019). Research Consultancy for Chinese University of Hong Kong – working with senior staff in the School on their Research Assessment submission and development of impact case studies.Ooms A. (2019). Evaluation Workshops. Health Education England (HEE) Grant, £4,000.
- Drennan, V. (2019). Advanced Clinical Practitioner Census for London: support and evaluation. Health Education England (HEE) Grant £16,666.
- Drennan, V. (2019). Scoping the Advanced Practice Role and Workforce Planning for KCH NHS Foundation Trust. King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, £8,267.
- Fletcher, S. (2019). Understanding key mechanisms of leading integrated team based services in health and social care. NIHR grant, £118,647.
- Harper, L. (PI), Stanley, R., Lakin, M., Cheek, L., & Ooms, A. (2018-2019). Dietary Approaches for Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity and improved Nutrition in people with a Learning Disability: the DAMSON project. Health Education England, £33,534.
- Ooms, A. (PI) & Pedley, G. (2018-2019). Evaluation of the first year's Nursing Associates students' experience. St George's Hospital Charity, £4,881.
- Ooms, A. (2018-2019). Developing Leadership and Supervisor Skills in the Non-Clinical Workforce. Our Healthier South East London, NHS, £6,000.
- Brady, M. (2018). RAPT project – Rights and Participation Team for children and adolescents' mental services and special educational needs and disability. DARE funding, £825.
- Ooms, A. (PI), Blackie C., & Powell J. (2018). Facilitated Workshops regarding the Primary Care at Scale project. GP Wandsworth Federation Grant, £4,258.
- Treadwell, E. (2018). Evaluation of the Macmillan Surgery School Pilot. Macmillan Cancer Support grant, £16,200.
Contact us
HERE is your opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking network dedicated to transforming health and social care education. Whether you’re an academic, healthcare professional or researcher, you can make a difference.