Dr Ruth Healey

Dr Ruth Healey had an early introduction to teaching and learning when just after graduating from her BSc in Geography in 2004, she had the opportunity to manage the first International Network for Learning and Teaching Geography in HE (INLT) Writing Group Symposium in Glasgow. As the only student in attendance she joined the group working on 'teaching for social transformations'. This was her introduction to what has since become known as 'students as partners'. Ruth's passion for teaching grew from this point, leading her to undertake every opportunity she could find to develop her teaching during her PhD. Leading to her successful application to be an AFHEA before she submitted her thesis. Impact of work Upon her appointment as a lecturer at the University of Chester in 2009, she registered to study for the MA in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Ruth's talents have been recognised within the University in a number of ways; e.g. her early promotion (2011), her appointment as Combined Honours Programme Leader (2012), several successful teaching and learning project bids, her invitation to contribute to Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, successful application to the Aurora Leadership programme, nomination for an 'Above and Beyond Award' as an Outstanding Professional Mentor, and success as one of the first SFHEAs at the University in 2014. Beyond the University of Chester, Ruth was appointed as the youngest ever co-editor of the Journal of Geography in Higher Education in 2009, as External Examiner at the University of Central Lancashire (2012) and University of South Wales (2013) alongside contributing to five international collaborative writing groups, all of which have resulted in published papers. Her commitment to leading pedagogic practice and teaching excellence is demonstrated by her 15 pedagogic publications by 2015 being cited over 125 times. Plans for the future In 2016 Ruth became one of the Inaugural Editors of the International Journal for Students as Partners. The practice of partnership aims to position students and staff as active, mutually contributing collaborators in teaching and learning. This ethos drives Ruth's future practice as she seeks to establish further opportunities for Students as Partners institutionally, nationally and internationally.