Dr Fiona McCullough

Dr Fiona McCullough is a registered dietitian, who has influenced the development of the dietetics workforce, during her career in higher education. Teaching is much more a passion and a work of heart, than the day job! As Director of Dietetics Education, over the last eight years, Fiona has developed a Learning Beyond Registration (LBR) portfolio. This comprises post-graduate study options including study days, 20 credit Masters modules across a range of specialist areas of nutrition and dietetics. Participants can complete an MSc award if desired. The modules are multi-professional and therefore allow career development for other health professionals alongside dietitians. Impact of work A flexible, blended learning model has been developed that has allowed dietitians in full time employment to complete Masters level study successfully. Their positive feedback has fuelled demand, allowing LBR to be embedded and expanded. The delivery of evidence based practice lectures and problem solving workshops have been effective in developing student competence. The model of students as partners in their learning development, has been incorporated more widely within the School. Involvement of service users and carers at all stages of development, delivery and evaluation has incorporated the patient voice. In 2015, Fiona was granted a University Lord Dearing (group award) in recognition of an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning in this area. Beyond her own work she has influenced the development of national education accrediting standards through the professional body. As Chairman, of a European Education and Lifelong Learning Committee she has researched the potential impact of accrediting lifelong learning courses across institutions in Europe. Plans for the future LBR continues on a devolvement journey - selected module content will be adapted into online materials, to widen participation to these unique learning resources.