Please find information on the current issues in Health and Social Care

Wednesday 16 September

• 10am to 1pm
• Room DA001

IMPORTANT: Please bring your photo ID with you on this date to complete enrolment.

Semester 1 – Week beginning 21/09/2026

• Tuesday 10:00 – 13:00
• Wednesday 10:00 – 13:00
• Friday 12:00 – 15:00

Full details of your individual academic timetable, including Semester 2 timetable which may differ, will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed the pre-arrival task online and set up your student login.

Your first semester has been carefully designed to help you settle into university life while building the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for success throughout your degree. You’ll be introduced to the key concepts that underpin health and social care practice, including professionalism, communication, evidence-informed practice, health and wellbeing, and the wider social and political factors that influence health outcomes.

Throughout the semester, you’ll begin developing essential academic skills such as critical thinking, academic writing, referencing, teamwork, and presenting your ideas with confidence. These skills will provide a strong foundation for the rest of your studies and your future career.

Our teaching is interactive, inclusive, and student-centred. Rather than simply listening to lectures, you’ll take part in a variety of engaging learning activities including seminars, group discussions, case studies, workshops, debates, and problem-based learning. You’ll have opportunities to apply theory to real-life scenarios, reflect on current issues in health and social care, and learn collaboratively with your peers.

Throughout your time on the BSc Health and Social Care programme, you’ll be supported by a dedicated and experienced team who are passionate about helping you achieve your full potential. We are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where you can develop both academically and professionally.

Dr Samantha Birch – Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer

As Programme Leader, Dr Samantha Birch oversees the BSc Health and Social Care programme and is committed to ensuring you have an excellent student experience from your first day through to graduation. Samantha teaches across a range of modules, with expertise in health promotion, public health, research methods, and evidence-based practice. She is always happy to support students with academic, professional, and personal development throughout their studies.

Dr Adam Benkwitz – Reader in Health and Social Care

Dr Adam Benkwitz is a Reader in Health and Social Care with extensive expertise in health and social care research. His teaching is informed by his active research, enabling students to engage with contemporary evidence and developments within the sector. Adam has particular strengths in research methodology and evidence-informed practice, encouraging students to develop the critical thinking skills needed to address complex health and social care challenges.

Alongside his academic role, Adam is actively involved with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), contributing to the advancement of high-quality health and social care research. His experience within the NIHR provides students with valuable insight into the importance of research in improving health and care services and shaping future policy and practice.

Phil Harper – Senior Lecturer

Phil Harper is a Senior Lecturer with extensive experience in health and social care education. His teaching is informed by his research interests in dementia care and LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, helping students to explore contemporary issues surrounding equality, inclusion, person-centred care, and the needs of diverse populations.

Phil is passionate about equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to provide compassionate, evidence-informed care to individuals and his teaching encourages students to think critically about the challenges facing health and social care services and how research can be translated into meaningful improvements in practice.

Bonnie Bullivant – Senior Lecturer

Bonnie Bullivant is a Senior Lecturer with specialist expertise in anatomy and physiology. She is passionate about helping students develop a strong understanding of the human body and the scientific principles that underpin health and social care practice. Bonnie delivers engaging teaching that enables students to build confidence in applying anatomical and physiological knowledge to real-world health contexts.

Alongside her teaching, Bonnie is undertaking a PhD in women’s health, contributing to research that aims to improve understanding and outcomes within this important area of healthcare. Her active involvement in research ensures that her teaching is informed by current evidence and emerging developments, inspiring students to appreciate the role of research in advancing health and social care practice.

Zarah Ahmed – Lecturer

Zarah Ahmed is a Lecturer with experience in public health and a passion for promoting population health and reducing health inequalities. Her teaching encourages students to consider the wider determinants of health and the importance of prevention, health promotion, and evidence-informed practice in improving health outcomes.

Kirsty Spencer – Associate Lecturer and PhD Researcher

Kirsty Spencer is an Associate Lecturer who supports teaching across the BSc Health and Social Care programme while undertaking her PhD. Her doctoral research investigates the experiences of loneliness among autistic young adults with higher support needs.