Rachel Marchbank-Smith

Rachel Marchbank-Smith is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of the School of Nursing and Public Health at Manchester Metropolitan University. With dual qualifications as a Registered Nurse (Adult) and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor), she has over 14 years' NHS experience and 10+ years in academic roles. As Associate Innovation Scholar and Graduate Outcomes Lead, she drives educational strategy implementation, student wellbeing initiatives, and Schwartz Rounds expansion across the Faculty of Health and Education.

• Academic leadership: Department Education Lead (2019-2024), University Education Committee member
• Specialized certifications: Community Practitioner Nurse Prescriber (V100), NMC Registered Teacher

Her research focuses on compassionate pedagogy and transition from clinical practice to academia, evidenced through 3 recent conference presentations on Schwartz Rounds implementation. She advocates for collaborative, inclusive educational approaches that emphasize respect and dialogue.

• 2023 Student Nursing Times Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration)
• 2023 Manchester Met Colleague of the Year
• Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA)

As co-lead for student mental health and wellbeing, she integrates wellbeing support into educational frameworks while maintaining active roles in curriculum development and institutional policy.