Helen joined Chester on 1st April 2021 and before that was Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Keele University.
She graduated in molecular biology at the University of Liverpool before taking a PhD in bacterial genetics. After a postdoctoral fellowship, Helen moved to a lectureship in biological sciences at what is now Liverpool Hope University. She became interested in the psychology of learning and undertook a range of leadership roles including Dean of Sciences and Social Sciences.
In 2006, Helen moved to the University of Liverpool to lead the HEFCE-funded Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The work of the centre helped to shape how medical professionalism is taught across medical schools in the UK. Her research focuses on the role of emotional intelligence in developing professionalism and leadership in doctors, and she was promoted to a Personal Chair in Medical Education in 2013.
Helen's subsequent interest in how developments in digital education can support social learning as well as developing flexible, online and transnational education led to her appointment as Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Online Learning at Liverpool.
She is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Association for Leaning Technology (ALT). She recently completed a term as a member of the Advance HE Board and is also Co-Convener of Advance HE’s DVC/PVC Network.
In 2020, Helen chaired a task and finish group for UUKi that resulted in the publication “Building the global reputation and delivery of UK transnational online higher education”.