Helen Watson

Academic profile

Dr Helen Watson

Associate Professor of Bioscience (Education)
Peninsula Medical School (Faculty of Health)

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The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Helen's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

Goal 03: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-beingGoal 04: SDG 4 - Quality EducationGoal 05: SDG 5 - Gender EqualityGoal 10: SDG 10 - Reduced InequalitiesGoal 16: SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsGoal 17: SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

About Helen

Associate Head of School: Education and Student Experience  I am an education focused academic with an interest in bioscience and skills education research. In November 2023 I achieved the status of Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA). In Peninsula Medical School I lead teaching and learning in my role of Associate Head of School for Education and Student Experience. My background is in biochemistry. My current research is focused on how best to integrate transferable skills into the curriculum, across higher education. I also have a strong interest in EDI, particularly in how higher education institutions can make positive, tangible changes to culture regarding EDI. Externally I recently chaired a review of the QAA Biosciences Subject Benchmark Statement, which has now been published on the QAA website. Until the end of 2023, I chaired the Biochemical Society's Education, Training and Public Engagement committee. I am currently a member of the Royal Society of Biology Curriculum Committee and a Trustee of the Royal Society of Biology.  I have a strong interest in gender equality, and am a panelist for Advance HE's Athena Swan charters. At Plymouth I chaired the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science Athena Swan self-assessment team (SAT) through a successful Silver Athena Swan application, awarded by Advance HE in March 2022. I currently co-chair the University Athena Swan SAT and led this team to a Silver institutional Athena Swan award, conferred in March 2024.  You can see my publications in the tab below, or on my Orcid profile here: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2946-0441

Teaching

As Associate Head of School for Education and Student Experience, I lead teaching and learning in the Medical School. I also teach students on various programmes within the Faculty of Health, including medicine, diagnostic radiography and physician associate. I teach students a variety of life science topics, including biochemistry, cell biology, physiology and genetics. Much of my teaching is in small or medium sized group sessions, and I am proactive in creating innovative and interactive sessions.
I hold a number of education related roles within the medical school, including: 
  • EBL facilitator 
  • Academic tutor 
  • Pastoral tutor 
  • SSU provider 
  • Reflective portfolio assessor 

Contact Helen

C420, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 586797