Faculty of Research & Knowledge Exchange
Faculty Mission:
The Faculty of Research and Knowledge Exchange was formed to pool the research capability and capacity across universities in the geographical area. Health and Social Care professionals should be delivering contemporary, evidence-based and competent care which is informed by high quality research. Improving the understanding and management of Healthcare has the potential of promoting effective and enhanced care delivery.
Faculty Aim:
To work closely with key stakeholders to simply ensure that the available evidence has a positive impact on the population that it serves. The faculty is supported by a diverse range of colleagues with a wealth of research knowledge and experience in implementing change.
The Three Main Aims of the Faculty of Research and Knowledge Exchange:
Collaboration
Develop and address research priorities in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Accessibility
Pool the research capability & capacity across the Universities in the geographical area.
Knowledge
Deliver an on-going programme of knowledge exchange activities to engender a culture of continuous service improvement.
Dr. Hoda Wassif
Research & Knowledge Exchange Faculty Co-Lead
Associate Professor and Lead – Health Education Portfolio, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Education, University of Bedfordshire
Dr Hoda Wassif is an Associate Professor and Lead for the Health Education Portfolio, part of the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Education. Her role is to offer academic leadership and support related to a range of courses in Pre-Professional and Continuing Health Education including; Advanced Nursing Practice, Nursing Associates, short courses in health systems as well as Medical & Dental Education and Dental Law and Ethics.
Hoda’s research focus on enhancing research methodology, ethics and holistic approach in healthcare. Her latest research project focused on using artefacts in enhancing research interviews.
Hoda is a Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry (FCGDent), an accredited mentor and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership (FIoL), a member of the editorial board of The Dentist & Dental Nursing Magazines and a member of the Clinical Ethics Committee at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.
Health & Social Care Writing Community 2025/26
Dates:
30 Oct - 10:00 - 1:00 - Writing for professional magazines
3 March - 2:00 - 5:00 - Writing professional blogs and opinion pieces
12 June - 10:00 - 1:00 - Responding to reviewers' comments and feedback
What to expect:
This is a safe and supportive space for anyone interested in writing within the world of health and social care.
You’ll find a calm, relaxed environment where you can enjoy writing at your own pace, whether you’d like to share your ideas with others or keep them just for yourself.
Each event offers gentle prompts and themed guidance if you’d like some inspiration, but you’re always free to follow your own ideas and write about what matters most to you. Above all, this is a community that values your voice and the unique perspective you bring.
Autumn 2025 R&KE faculty Writing Retreat
The Research & Knowledge Exchange faculty's Autumn 2025 Writing Retreat is now open for applications.
Friday 10th and Saturday 11th October 2025 at Missenden Abbey
The Research and Knowledge Exchange faculty's Writing Retreats are fully funded and focus on honing the writing for publication skills of attendees. There are workshops, 1-1 peer support, focused individual writing time and the continued support of a mentor extending beyond the retreat to help attendees right through to publication.
The retreats are open to anyone within the health and care system (i.e., students, professionals, clinical and non-clinical personnel, volunteers, community workers, etc.) but there are a limited number of spaces available for each retreat and attendees will be offered a place following a review of all applications once the application window has closed.
If you have any queries, please email
bht.bhsca-info@nhs.net
Applications will close at COP on Tuesday 23rd September and places will be offered following a review of all applications submitted.
The Writing Retreats are delivered by the Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) Team at Buckinghamshire New University's School of Nursing and Midwifery.
A Testimonial: How Our Writing Retreat supported Shabana's Journey
"None of this would have been possible without attending the writing retreat two years ago. I am grateful for that opportunity as it played a pivotal role in my writing journey."
Two years after attending our writing retreat, Shabana has made incredible strides in her academic and professional writing. She recently presented at the RCN Conference, where she shared her research on students' experiences using AI tools, sparking thoughtful discussion and engagement.
Beyond her conference presentation, Shabana has also begun peer reviewing for a nursing journal, an experience she finds deeply rewarding.
We are thrilled to celebrate her achievements and proud to have played a role in her success.
Academic Writing Opportunity | July 2025
Are you passionate about health and social care?
Would you like a chance to publish and share best practice in your area?
The Faculty of Research & Knowledge Exchange is launching a new monthly feature to highlight key health and social care issues affecting diverse patient groups which will be published at The Dentist Magazine.
If you work in health or social care, share your insights on the challenges your community faces and help dental teams better understand the wider needs of their patients. Contribute a 700-word article to promote collaboration across professions and support holistic, patient-centred care.
For more information, please email faculty lead Dr Hoda Wassif (hoda.wassif@beds.ac.uk)
Previous Research & Knowledge Exchange faculty Writing Retreats
The first Research and Knowledge Exchange faculty Writing Retreat was held in October 2023 and was attended by colleagues from across health and social care in Bucks, with acute care, social care, the voluntary sector, HEI and FE representation.
Spring 2024 (May)
Autumn 2024 (November)
Spring 2025 (May)
All previous retreat participants are continually supported over the 6-12 months immediately following the retreat and beyond by other attendees and the BNU GTA team from our partner HEIs - Buckinghamshire New University and University of Bedfordshire in a writing community.
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The faculty and Academy have every intention on regularly holding these events and will widely circulate information and applications on this website and through established networks as and when the information is available.
My Wellbeing Series
This series has been produced by Dr Yannis Pappas and Prof Julia Williams of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Faculty to offer short public-facing, informational videos on a range of topics concerning well-being. Please enjoy the series' first three chapters below. Thank you!
Chapter 1: Ageing Well
The first chapter of episodes is presented by Dr. Jitka Vseteckova from the Open University and she is an expert in the subject of 'Ageing Well'.
The Ageing Well Chapter will be presented in six fascinating episodes of:
(1) Nutrition (2) Hydration (3) Physical Activity (4) Cognitive Stimulation (5) Social Stimulation (6) Pharmaceutical Therapy.
Please scroll through to access all the video links.
Chapter 2: Bowel Cancer
The second chapter of episodes is presented by Manju Khanna, she is Senior Macmillan Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at London Northwest University Hospital Trust.
The Bowel Cancer Chapter will be presented in three highly informative episodes of:
(1) What is Bowel Cancer? (2) Symptoms of Bowel Cancer (3) Causes & Risk Factors of Bowel Cancer
Please scroll through to access all the video links.
Chapter 3: Art and Wellbeing
The third chapter of episodes is presented by Jo Vincent, she is a stroke survivor, artist, and part-time art teacher.
The Art & Wellbeing Chapter will be presented in four motivational episodes of:
(1) Benefits of Drawing with Illness or Injury (2) Using Art to Adapt to Long-term Illness or Disability (3) Painting for Managing Pain (4) Building Confidence & Self Esteem by joining Creative Communities
Episodes 2-4 coming soon!
Please scroll through to access all the video links.
10 Lecture Series:
Research & Innovations Supporting the
Health & Social Care Workforce
