Helen Hull

I am Programme Lead (Pharmacy and Pharmacology) and a prinicpal lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth.

I am the School Athena Swan Champion and Fitness to Practice lead, and we successfully renewed the School Athena Swan Bronze award in May 2022, to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employed in higher education and research.

I also have external roles at the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI),  Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) and University of Reading.

I grew up in Swansea and studied pharmacy at the University of Portsmouth 1989-1992. I completed my pre-registration placement with Boots the Chemists and qualified as a pharmacist in 1993. I worked for Boots, as a Pharmacy Manager, for six years until 1999 and then transferred to LloydsPharmacy as a Teacher-Practitioner.

In 2001 I became a full-time lecturer at the University of Portsmouth; in the same year I completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and became a Fellow of AdvanaceHE (previously the Higher Education Academy). I completed an MSc in 2002.

I had a brief spell working part-time from 2004-2011 while I had my two children and returned to full-time employment in 2011. In October 2011, started a part-time PhD and successfully completed in October 2017.

I evaluated MPharm students' study habits and where they turn for support. As a result of my research I have implemented a Peer Assisted Learning programme where I train and support carefully selected Year Two (level 5) MPharm undergraduates to undertake the PAL leader role.

PAL provides a safe environment for students to discuss ideas and resolve questions; promoting collaborative learning and an oppotunity for PAL leaders to share their experiences.

I have also worked as a pharmacist support trainer for South East Medicines Management and Education (SEMMED), which is now part of NHS England - Pharmacy, supporting hospital trainee pharmacists during their foundation year.

My research focuses on students' learning experiences and pharmacy practice. Research projects include: 

• Design, development and implementation of Eportfolios,
• Medical audits,
• Blood pressure and CVD clinics,
• Peer assisted learning,
• Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI),
• Observations of online chat forums and the implications for pharmacy,
• Awareness and usage of contraceptives,
• Continuing Professional Development,
• Internet pharmacy,
• Students’ learning styles,
• Communication and counselling skills.