Taryn Tavener-Smith

Dr. Taryn Tavener-Smith is a Senior Lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), where she teaches across BSc and MSc Nursing programs, including Adult, Children's, and Mental Health Nursing. She holds a PhD in English Studies from the University of Stirling (2025), a Master’s in English Literature and Language from the University of Johannesburg (2019), and a UK Diploma in Education and Training (2020). A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research bridging literature, pedagogy, and healthcare education.

Her research interests are diverse and innovative, focusing on medical terminology education using linguistic principles, life writing and identity construction, higher education pedagogy, and digital learning innovations. She is the co-lead developer of MediLingo, a mobile app that teaches medical terminology like a language, which has been central to her research and teaching innovation. Her work also explores Gothic literature, narrative theory, and postgraduate writing support, particularly for part-time doctoral researchers.

Dr. Tavener-Smith's publication record is robust, with recent articles in journals such as Teaching and Learning in Nursing, British Journal of Nursing, and Life Writing, as well as book chapters and numerous conference presentations. Her research trends show a consistent focus on educational innovation, particularly in nursing education through technology, and a deep scholarly engagement with narrative, identity, and memory in literary contexts.

She has been recognized with the Impact Award for Student Support from BNU (2024) for her contributions. She collaborates extensively with colleagues at BNU and beyond, including the University of Bedfordshire, and co-facilitates Writing Retreats for healthcare professionals. Her work demonstrates strong grant-writing success and cross-departmental collaboration, with projects resulting in tangible educational tools and publications.

Dr. Tavener-Smith is involved in academic communities through conference participation and research groups, contributing to the advancement of both medical education and literary studies. Her work with the MediLingo project represents a significant lab-like initiative, integrating technology, pedagogy, and interdisciplinary research.