Curious about a career in academia and what it takes to become a Professor?
Professor Melanie Hayward from Bucks New University has answered your career questions! From skills and qualifications to career progression and applications, watch her video now or jump to a question below.
Jump to Question
- What are the core duties of an Associate Professor?
- How should I balance research, teaching, funding, and leadership when building an academic career?
- What skills and experience make someone competitive for academic positions?
- Can you give an overview of your academic career journey and the key steps that got you to where you are today?
- What should academics focus on in the first 5–10 years after a PhD to progress towards senior academic roles?
- How important are referees in academic applications, and what makes a strong referee?
- What is the difference between a Senior Lecturer and an Associate Professor?
- What are the key things a Senior Lecturer should demonstrate in an application for an Associate Professor role?
- What matters most when moving into academia after industry?
- What is your favourite part of your job?
- What is the most challenging part of your job?
- What is it like working at Bucks New University?
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Meet the Host
Melanie Hayward
Melanie is a globally award-winning pracademic whose career bridges clinical excellence, academic leadership and national influence. With over two decades of frontline and leadership experience in the NHS as a Children’s Nurse, SCPHN School Nurse and Safeguarding and nearly ten years in academia, she now serves as Associate Professor in Education and leads quality assurance and enhancement in the College of Health and Society.
Melanie believes that high-quality education is the foundation of high-quality care. Her work embodies the pracademic ethos, where practice and pedagogy intersect to shape innovation, policy, professional standards and student success. She leads academic quality assurance and enhancement across health and social care programmes, with a particular focus on Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) alignment, curriculum innovation and inclusive student support. Melanie also contributes to national policy development through my role on the Council of Deans of Health Regulation Strategic Policy Group.
Alongside her university role, she holds several national leadership positions including Chair of NASNA, and England Lead for CYPNAUK. She actively engages with national professional bodies and organisations, where she contributes as a recognised voice in child health, public health and safeguarding. Melanie also co-founded Nurse Academics UK to support and connect nurse educators across the UK, fostering a national community of practice and scholarship.
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