About
Michelle Howarth is a Professor in Nursing & Midwifery at Edge Hill University, specializing in social prescribing and nature-based approaches to promote health and wellbeing. She leads the National Social Prescribing Network’s Special Interest Group for Nursing and chairs the PerCIE Network, advocating for personalized care integration among nurses, social care, and healthcare professionals. Michelle is the Chair of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board Shared Decision-Making Council and has held roles such as PGR Deputy Director and External Examiner at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Education: Michelle holds a PhD in Nursing from the University of Salford (2012), a PGCHE from the same institution (2001), and an MSc in Practitioner Research from Manchester Metropolitan University (1997). Her academic journey includes over 22 years as an educationalist, focusing on innovative nursing programs and curricula that bridge global healthcare needs.
Research Interests: Michelle’s research spans partnership working, social prescribing, personalized care, and green care innovations. She emphasizes integrating non-clinical learning environments and third-sector collaborations to prepare students for diverse healthcare contexts. Her work explores how nature-based interventions and community initiatives combat loneliness and support long-term condition management.
Grants & Projects: Michelle has led numerous funded projects, including Health Education England initiatives to expand public health placements and collaborations with organizations like the Royal Horticultural Society. She has generated significant income through grants addressing workforce development, such as the GM Placement Model Development KTP with Elemental Innovate UK (2021) and the Arts4Us project (2024–2027).
Labs/Networks: She is affiliated with the Edge Hill Primary and Integrated Care Research Centre and the Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing. Her leadership in the PerCIE Network—a collaborative platform with over 100 members—has shaped nursing education and personalized care practices globally.
