Hayley Ward
Academic and research departments
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Workforce, Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) Expert Group.About
Biography
Hayley graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2014 with a BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Practitioner (Community Emergency Health) and began her clinical career with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb). In 2018, she completed the Specialist Paramedic in Urgent Care programme at St George’s, University of London. Her clinical roles included working as a Rotational Paramedic Practitioner, undertaking home visits for GP surgeries, supporting clinicians in the Emergency Operations Centre, and responding to urgent community-based calls. She went on to complete an MSc in Healthcare Practice (Advanced Practice) at St George’s in 2022.
Hayley joined the University of Surrey in 2019 as a Teaching Fellow on the undergraduate Paramedic Science programme and completed a PGCert in Education for Health Professionals in 2020. In 2022, she was appointed Programme Director for the MSc Healthcare Practice and BSc (Top-Up) in Healthcare Practice. Her responsibilities expanded further in 2024 when she also became Programme Director for the PGCert and MA Education for Health Professionals, reflecting her leadership across a wide portfolio of postgraduate programmes.
In recognition of her commitment to teaching and academic leadership, Hayley was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2024 and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2025.
With personal experience of balancing NHS clinical practice alongside academic study, Hayley is particularly passionate about supporting post-registration students as they navigate the demands of work and education. She brings a strong focus on student-centred learning and workforce development to her academic practice.
Hayley’s research interests include professionalism in healthcare, workforce wellbeing, and contemporary issues in health education. She is currently leading a mixed methods study exploring students’ understanding of Generative AI within academic practice, working collaboratively with colleagues across the School.
Hayley also works closely with external partners and is the University of Surrey’s lead for the NHS England Internship Model for Supporting Future Practice Educators in the South East project. In this role, she works closely with other higher education institutions, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), and NHS trusts to offer healthcare staff meaningful opportunities to gain experience in educational settings.
Areas of specialism
University roles and responsibilities
- Senior Lecturer
- Programme Director - Healthcare Practice (BSc Hone (Top-Up) / MSc)
- Programme Director - MSc Leadership in Healthcare
- Programme Director - Education for Health Professionals (PGCert / MA)
My qualifications
Previous roles
Affiliations and memberships
ResearchResearch interests
My research interests span professionalism in healthcare, urgent and emergency care, workforce wellbeing, and the education of healthcare professionals. With a background as both a paramedic and academic, I am particularly interested in how frontline clinicians navigate their professional roles amidst increasing organisational pressures, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting public expectations.
A major focus of my current work lies within professionalism, where I am hoping to undertake doctoral research exploring how paramedics perceive and experience professionalism within UK ambulance services.
In parallel, I am leading a collaborative mixed methods study examining students’ understanding of Generative AI within academic practice. Working with colleagues across the School, this research aims to inform institutional approaches to digital literacy, academic integrity, and the responsible use of emerging technologies in higher education.
I have a wider interest in how healthcare professionals are educated, supported, and developed throughout their careers. My research sits within the World of Work (WOW) expert group, reflecting my ongoing commitment to practice-relevant, policy-informed research that supports and strengthens the healthcare workforce.
Research interests
My research interests span professionalism in healthcare, urgent and emergency care, workforce wellbeing, and the education of healthcare professionals. With a background as both a paramedic and academic, I am particularly interested in how frontline clinicians navigate their professional roles amidst increasing organisational pressures, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting public expectations.
A major focus of my current work lies within professionalism, where I am hoping to undertake doctoral research exploring how paramedics perceive and experience professionalism within UK ambulance services.
In parallel, I am leading a collaborative mixed methods study examining students’ understanding of Generative AI within academic practice. Working with colleagues across the School, this research aims to inform institutional approaches to digital literacy, academic integrity, and the responsible use of emerging technologies in higher education.
I have a wider interest in how healthcare professionals are educated, supported, and developed throughout their careers. My research sits within the World of Work (WOW) expert group, reflecting my ongoing commitment to practice-relevant, policy-informed research that supports and strengthens the healthcare workforce.
Teaching
Hayley’s teaching responsibilities span both undergraduate and postgraduate education, with a particular focus on post-registration and continuing professional development programmes for healthcare professionals. She currently leads a portfolio of part-time programmes designed for practising clinicians, including the MSc Healthcare Practice, BSc (Hons) (Top-Up) in Healthcare Practice, MSc Leadership in Healthcare and the PGCert & MA in Education for Health Professionals. These programmes support NHS staff and other health and social care professionals to progress academically and professionally alongside their clinical roles.
As Programme Director, Hayley provides academic leadership across these programmes, overseeing curriculum design and delivery, and working closely with colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure content remains relevant, flexible, and aligned with workforce needs. She is actively involved in curriculum review, development, and revalidation, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and best practice in healthcare education.
In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Hayley contributes directly to teaching and assessment. Her teaching areas include healthcare education, leadership and evidence-based practice. She also provides ongoing pastoral support and is committed to delivering inclusive, student-centred learning environments that acknowledge the realities of working professionals in higher education.
Hayley supports students through academic supervision and formative feedback, with a particular interest in helping learners develop confidence in critical thinking, reflective practice, and academic writing. Her approach to teaching is informed by her own experience as a practitioner returning to study, and she aims to foster collaborative, practice-informed learning spaces.
She also contributes to broader academic and institutional activity through quality assurance, curriculum innovation, and external partnership work. Hayley regularly engages with colleagues across disciplines to share best practice and support the continuous enhancement of teaching and learning across the School.