School of Health & Life Sciences | Teesside University

About us

Welcome

We have a long established record of delivering high quality learning and teaching, research, and enterprise activity in health, sport and the sciences, from our Middlesbrough and Darlington campuses, and the world-leading National Horizons Centre.

We are an important engine for change, challenge and creativity, with an excellent reputation for collaboration. Partners include the NHS, voluntary and private businesses. Our portfolio ranges from certificate to PhD level study with many programmes accredited by professional and statutory bodies, and we support our partners to develop their staff throughout their career journeys. Our high-quality clinical, sport and scientific learning spaces, combined with our adventurous approach to digital tools and simulation, prepare you for clinical practice experience or graduate employment.

Dr Ann French
Dean, School of Health & Life Sciences

Service user and carer involvement

Courses

Biosciences

Undergraduate courses Postgraduate courses

Food & Nutrition

Undergraduate courses Postgraduate courses

Forensic & Crime Scene Sciences

Undergraduate courses Postgraduate courses

Geosciences

Postgraduate courses

Nursing & Health

Undergraduate courses Postgraduate courses Short courses Service user and carer involvement

Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Science

Undergraduate courses

Sport & Exercise

Undergraduate courses Postgraduate courses Short courses

Why study with us?

Excellent reputation for teaching and research

Specialist facilities

Excellent graduate employability

Professionally accredited courses

Established collaborative links with employers

School management team

All staff profiles

Dr Ann French

Dean

Dr Ann French is responsible for the School's overall strategic development. She was previously the Associate Dean for Marketing and Recruitment. Ann is a Registered General Nurse with a background in palliative and end of life care. She completed a PhD in Palliative Care at the International Observatory on End of Life Care at Lancaster University.

More about Ann

Ruth Mitchell

Associate Dean (Knowledge Exchange)

Ruth oversees Continuing Professional Development within the School, including commissioned courses, apprenticeships, accredited and non-accredited short courses, and masterclasses. Ruth works closely with partners, including NHS and private healthcare organisations, to address and meet their workforce development needs. Ruth is a Registered Nurse and has held roles including Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer in Leadership and Quality Improvement, and Head of Department for the Allied Health Professions.

More about Ruth

Scott Godfrey

Associate Dean (Marketing & Recruitment)

Scott leads the School’s marketing and student recruitment efforts. As a Registered Nurse and experienced academic, he’s held various roles, including Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer in Marketing and Student Recruitment, and Head of Department for Nursing & Midwifery. Committed to lifelong learning, he’s currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate.

More about Scott

Dr Kevin Thomas

Associate Dean (International)

Kevin is responsible for the development of international education opportunities for the School's health, social care, and science-related programmes. By profession, he is a chartered building surveyor who worked in both public and private practice prior to entering academia in 1992.

More about Kevin

Carlie Johnston-Blyth

Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching)

Carlie is a registered mental health nurse with a background in forensics, acute and primary and secondary services. She has held many senior management roles within the NHS and has extensive knowledge and experience in commissioning. Carlie gained an MSc in Transformational Leadership at Teesside University, and has led on a range of regional and national large-scale change and transformation projects.

More about Carlie

Professor Jeff Breckon

Associate Dean (Research)

Professor Jeff Breckon is responsible for research and innovation across the School and its networks internally and externally. Jeff is a British Psychological Society and Health and Care Professions Council chartered psychologist with experience in the design and delivery of behaviour change interventions across a range of health, community and workplace settings.

More about Jeff

Professor Vikki Rand

Director of National Horizons Centre and Professor of Biosciences

Vikki leads the NHC's development as a centre of excellence for the biosciences and healthcare sectors, working with industry, the NHS and other stakeholders to ensure provision is driven by current/planned needs for research, innovation, skills and talent. An internationally recognised researcher, she has developed a programme of research across genomics, bioinformatics and digital health with national and international networks.

More about Vikki

Ptolemy Neoptolemos

Head of Department (Nursing & Midwifery)

Ptolemy oversees the delivery and development of our nursing and midwifery provision within the School. He has a clinical background in acute and emergency care and is an experienced academic, previously holding roles including Senior Lecturer and Principal Lecturer for Staffing and Resources. He is dedicated to advancing academic excellence and healthcare education and is currently undertaking a PhD exploring how healthcare students cope with stress.

More about Ptolemy

Jill Kent

Head of Department (Allied Health)

Jill is a qualified physiotherapist with extensive experience in various healthcare settings, including the NHS and private practice. She has a diverse clinical and academic background, and significant expertise in practice-based learning, having led local and national initiatives to expand placement opportunities across the allied health professions. Jill is deeply committed to fostering inclusive, contemporary curricula, ensuring the development of future-ready healthcare professionals.

More about Jill

Dr Jibin He

Head of Department (Life Science)

Jibin leads the life science provision within the School. As a Chartered Scientist in Food Science, Jibin is dedicated to leading the department to deliver world-class education and research in diverse subjects including bioscience, food and nutrition, sport science, forensic science, environmental science, and health and medicine-related sciences. A specific focus is working with industries and communities to apply our knowledge and skills in practice, and deliver impactful solutions to society.

More about Jibin

Helen Day

School Registrar

As School Registrar, Helen's responsibilities include monitoring and reporting on academic quality matters, and the implementation/evaluation of management information linked with the student lifecycle.

Linda Chambers

School Manager

As School Manager, Linda is responsible for supporting the Dean in the leadership and management of the school with particular emphasis on strategy, resource management and performance.

News

Professor Derek Bell OBE, Dean Benson and Lee Hutchinson. Link to Teesside University awards Honorary Doctorates to industry leaders .

Events

Fri

11

Jul

Campus visit

1.00pm - 2.30pm

On campus

Wed

16

Jul

Discover Teesside Science Residential

12.00pm - 4.30pm

On campus

Wed

16

Jul

IT Lunch & Learn sessions

12.00pm - 1.00pm

H0.46, Centuria Building

Fri

18

Jul

Campus visit

1.00pm - 2.30pm

On campus

More events

Contact us

Information desk and general enquiries

T: 01642 384100
E: shls-enquiries@tees.ac.uk
Address
School of Health & Life Sciences
Centuria Building
Teesside University
Middlesbrough
Tees Valley
TS1 3BX