Katie McGhee

Katie McGhee is an Associate Professor in Children & Young People's Health and Nursing at the School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia (UEA). She is a Registered Children's Nurse with extensive clinical and academic experience, contributing significantly to healthcare education, public health, and nursing policy. She is a member of the Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging and the Lifespan Health research group at UEA, and holds external leadership roles including Chair of Children and Young People's Nurse Academics UK (CYPNAUK) and NMC QAA Registrant Reviewer.

• Doctor of Education (in progress), School of Education & Lifelong Learning, UEA
• BSc in Nursing, King's College London
• Registered Children’s Nurse, UK

Her research focuses on public health across the lifespan, particularly in nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention through weight-neutral strategies such as intuitive eating and eating competence. She advocates for shifting from weight-centric to holistic health promotion models that empower individuals to develop healthy relationships with food, body, and mind. Additional expertise includes paediatric pain management and the travel-related healthcare needs of people with Type 1 Diabetes, especially regarding airport security and insulin pump use.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in child and adolescent nursing, health policy, and patient advocacy. Topics include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's nursing, diabetes care during air travel, and national nursing education reform. The research consistently emphasizes patient dignity, safety, and systemic improvements in healthcare delivery and education.

Her scientific recognition includes being an Advance HE Fellow for over 14 years, with an ongoing application for Principal Fellowship in recognition of her leadership in healthcare education. She is also a trained and certified intuitive eating counsellor registered with The Original Eating Professionals.

Katie actively mentors undergraduate nursing students and collaborates with academic colleagues on curriculum innovation and research. She has been involved in funded and scholarly activities, including national working groups such as the UEA Health and Social Care Partners (UEAHSCP) Childhood Obesity Working Group. Her leadership extends to strategic roles in quality assurance and nursing education reform.

She is a key member of several professional networks, including CYPNAUK (which she chairs), and has contributed to national dialogues on children’s nursing education and policy. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly in promoting equitable, inclusive, and sustainable health practices for children and young people.