AECC UC Celebrates Women in STEM

Next Tuesday (10th October 2023) is Ada Lovelace Day, a celebration of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Specialist health sciences University, AECC University College, is taking this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our female academics.  

Head of Research at AECC University College, Dr. Julie Northam, explains: “It’s fantastic to be sharing the stories of some of the fantastic women that work at our University. It’s our aim to be a first-choice partner within our specialisms for research and innovation in the health science community.  

“Our academics are involved in a wide range of different research specialisms in health sciences and it’s really exciting to have their expertise on campus for our students to experience. 

“Our female academics are inspiring role models for our students and their varied careers and research interests truly demonstrate the breadth of opportunity that a career in health care offers.”  

Hazel Jensen   

Hazel Jensen is Deputy Head of the School of Chiropractic at AECC University College. She is currently completing her doctorate and is researching widening access and participation in undergraduate courses in health care.  

Her research predominantly focuses on how initiatives that higher education institutions use to attract students from disadvantaged populations work to increase representation. Her goal with this research and study is to widen inclusion in Chiropractic education and create a workforce reflective of the patients that Chiropractors work for.     

This includes underrepresented groups from diverse socio-economic, cultural, racial and geographic backgrounds and areas.  Within the institution, Hazel is using this research to inform our strategy for the School of Chiropractic and to work closely with the Access and Participation team for institutional approach. 

Louise Stanley 

Louise has 17 years’ experience in Physiotherapy in a variety of settings including NHS, research, voluntary and higher education sectors. 

Louise specialised initially in respiratory physiotherapy, working in a large acute hospital trust and then went on to facilitate and run clinical research trials in Interstitial Lung Diseases, during which time she gained a Masters in Clinical Research.  

She has also undertaken roles within the voluntary sector supporting patients with interstitial lung disease and developing remote support services for an established charity.  

Louise has been involved in the delivery of pre-registration physiotherapy education since 2010. She has a particular interest in the use of simulation and digital technologies in education and has utilised both virtual and physical simulations to facilitate education delivery and practice-based learning opportunities. 

Dr. Amy Miller 

Dr. Amy Miller is a Lecturer in Clinical Sciences within the School of Chiropractic, where she splits her time between teaching and research. Her main areas of interest and expertise are paediatric musculoskeletal health and interprofessional collaboration.  

Amy completed her PhD in 2021 and her research focused on our Newborn Feeding Clinic, which is an interprofessional student-led clinic run by AECC University College and Bournemouth University.  

Amy now leads the UK arm of the COURSE Study, an international initiative investigating the clinical course of spinal pain in adolescents, this project is funded by the Royal College of Chiropractors. She is also leading a project to set up a Young Persons Advisory Group (YPAG) for adolescents with musculoskeletal conditions. In this exciting project, she is working with Participation People to build a group of young people with the knowledge and skills to co-design research for and about young people with musculoskeletal conditions. 

Dr. Humaira Khan 

Dr. Humaira Khan gained her BSc in Psychology from London, Masters in Applied Psychology from Cranfield University and Doctorate in Health and Educational Psychology from Bournemouth University in 2010. She started her career as a Research Psychologist and developed her interests in health promotion and public health. 

In 2018, she moved to full time lecturing at Bournemouth University as Lecturer in Health Sciences with the Department of Nursing. Whilst at Bournemouth University, Humaira was a member of the Athena Swan and the Women’s Academic Network, was on the REF panel, and the Science and Health Ethics panel. She was awarded internal funding and led research around smoking cessation working cross-faculty at Bournemouth University and with Poole Maternity Unit to set up the SSIPSIG forum (Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Steering Information Group).  

Humaira has developed numerous local and international research collaborations. She joined AECC UC as a Lecturer in Health Promotion and Public Health in 2022.  

Megan Hawthorn 

Megan Hawthorn is Course Leader for the MSc Breast Imaging course at AECC University College, and lead for the Breast Imaging unit on the MSc Medical Ultrasound course, teaching and developing imaging-guided breast services to include interventional techniques.  

Megan is also involved in teaching and development of Medical Ultrasound units with a specific interest in obstetrics and gynaecology, including the delivery of multiple short courses. 

Megan divides her time between working as a lecturer at the School of Radiology and as a sonographer at Salisbury Hospital.  

Dr. Sophie Mackenzie 

Dr. Sophie MacKenzie spent 20 years as a speech and language therapist, working primarily with adults with neurological conditions and head and neck cancer. 

She left clinical work and began lecturing full-time in 2010, going on to work at the University of Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church University, and City, University of London. In 2017, Sophie completed her PhD on the role of spirituality in Speech and Language Therapy. 

Sophie has a particular interest in holistic and person-centred care; her PhD explored how people with aphasia express their spirituality. She has taught on aphasia, motor speech disorders, dysphagia, head and neck cancer and qualitative research methodologies. 

Sophie recently co-edited a book on the subject, entitled Perspectives on Spirituality in Speech and Language Therapy, published by J&R Press. Sophie collaborated with fellow Speech and Language Therapist, Katharyn Mumby, on the book. Her latest book is Working with Adults with Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Needs. 

Aurélie Marchand   

Aurélie Marchand qualified in Chiropractic and went on to complete a Masters in Advanced Chiropractic Paediatric Practice in 2010 and a Masters in Medical Education with the University of Dundee in 2021.   

Aurélie has several publications in two main fields: Chiropractic Paediatrics and Fascial Manipulation®. 

She developed the Paediatric Chiropractic model of care based on biomechanical properties of Paediatric spinal tissues, conducted a survey of European chiropractors, reviewed the safety terminology in Paediatric Chiropractic care, and reported on infantile headaches.   

Aurélie co-authored several articles on Fascial Manipulation® including effectiveness on chronic aspecific low back pain, post-surgical care in total hip replacements, and persistent knee pain. 

About Ada Lovelace Day  

Ada Lovelace Day was founded in 2009 and aims to raise the profile of women in science, technology, engineering and maths by encouraging people around the world to talk about the women whose work they admire.  

This international day of celebration helps people learn about the achievements of women in STEM, inspiring others and creating new role models for young and old alike. 

You can read more here.