Mrs Marie Swettenham

I am a Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Health Sciences, committed to improving health, wellbeing, and opportunity through education, research, and collaboration. My work is underpinned by the values of integrity, inclusion, compassion, courage, and social justice, which shape both my academic practice and leadership approach.

My work aims to challenge traditional boundaries between academia, policy, practice, and industry, creating opportunities for innovation, knowledge exchange, and meaningful impact. Through teaching, curriculum development, research, and external engagement, I encourage critical thinking and support students to become confident, reflective professionals capable of addressing complex public health challenges.

My research and scholarly activity focus on public health improvement, workplace health, health inequalities, and the social and commercial determinants of health, with a strong emphasis on translating evidence into real-world practice. By working collaboratively across disciplines and sectors, I strive to foster positive change while ensuring that students, partners, and communities remain at the centre of my work.

I am a highly experienced Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Health Sciences with expertise spanning teaching, research, curriculum development, partnership working, and academic leadership. My work is focuses on my exceptional ability to connect people, ideas, and sectors, creating opportunities that extend beyond traditional academic boundaries.

I have developed a reputation for fostering meaningful collaborations between higher education, industry, public health practice, and community stakeholders, ensuring that teaching and research remain relevant, impactful, and responsive to real-world challenges. My areas of interest include workplace health and wellbeing, health inequalities, public health improvement, and the social and commercial determinants of health.

I am known for my strategic thinking, creativity, and people-centred approach, across teaching and the local community. I am passionate about developing others, supporting innovation, and translating knowledge into practical action. I bring energy, curiosity, and a commitment to positive change in all aspects of my work, seeking opportunities to influence policy, practice, and learning in ways that improve both individual and population health outcomes.

I am committed to delivering an inclusive, engaging, and research-informed learning experience that enables students to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for professional success. My teaching philosophy is grounded in the values of integrity, inclusion, compassion, courage, and social justice, ensuring that students are encouraged to think critically, challenge assumptions, and engage with complex real-world issues.

I contribute to the design, delivery, and continuous enhancement of undergraduate and postgraduate modules across public health and health sciences. I strive to create learning environments that are supportive, intellectually stimulating, and accessible, using a range of innovative teaching approaches that promote active participation, reflection, and applied learning.

A key strength of my teaching is the ability to connect academic theory with contemporary practice. By drawing on current research, policy developments, industry engagement, and lived experience perspectives, I help students understand the relevance of their learning beyond the classroom. I actively encourage interdisciplinary thinking and challenge traditional boundaries between education, public health practice, industry, and community engagement.

I am committed to developing graduates who are not only academically capable but also ethically aware, socially responsible, and equipped to contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of individuals, organisations, and communities. Alongside teaching delivery, I contribute to curriculum development, assessment design, student support, and quality enhancement activities that strengthen both the student experience and educational outcomes.

My research explores how individuals and communities create, maintain, and strengthen health in the face of social, economic, and environmental challenges. Drawing on the principles of salutogenesis, that is, the study of how healthy settings and conditions are created to support wellbeing, I have developed a strong programme of scholarship focused on understanding the assets, resources, and capacities that enable people to thrive, even in adverse circumstances.

I am particularly interested in the relationship between salutogenesis, food insecurity, and health inequalities. My work examines how food insecurity influences not only physical health, but also wellbeing, resilience, social connectedness, and opportunities to participate fully in society. Through this lens, I seek to contribute to a more strengths-based understanding of public health that complements and challenges traditional deficit-focused approaches.

Alongside my academic research, I have worked in enterprise partnership as a consultant with a global organisation to identify and investigate the mental health and wellbeing needs of NHS staff delivering services under multi-million-pound mental healthcare contracts across the UK. This work provided valuable insight into the organisational, occupational, and systemic factors influencing workforce wellbeing and reinforced my commitment to developing evidence-informed approaches that support healthier workplaces and more resilient health systems.

My research has helped advance discussions around the relevance of salutogenic thinking within public health education and curriculum development, contributing to the growing international conversation on how future public health professionals can be equipped to promote health creation rather than solely disease prevention. This work has positioned me as a recognised contributor to the development and application of salutogenic approaches within higher education and public health.

A defining feature of my research is its commitment to impact. I actively collaborate across academic, professional, industry, and community settings to translate evidence into practice, influence policy and educational development, and support approaches that reduce inequalities whilst promoting health, wellbeing, and social justice

I actively contribute to the wider academic, professional, and business communities through a range of external roles and partnerships that strengthen knowledge exchange, enhance student opportunities, and raise the profile of the University.

My external contributions include serving as an External Examiner, supporting academic quality and standards across higher education institutions, and as a guest lecturer, sharing expertise across diverse educational and professional settings. I also hold an external appointment as an honorary Assistant Professor, reflecting my commitment to collaborative scholarship, interdisciplinary working, and the development of research and educational partnerships.

Beyond academia, I am highly engaged within the local and regional business community, where I have developed a strong reputation for building meaningful relationships and fostering collaboration between industry, education, and public health practice. Through active networking, partnership development, and knowledge exchange activities, I create opportunities that benefit students, employers, and the wider community.

A key focus of my external engagement is challenging traditional boundaries between academia and practice. By connecting people, organisations, and ideas, I support innovation, promote lifelong learning, and help to ensure that the University's teaching, research, and civic mission remain relevant, impactful, and responsive to contemporary societal needs. Through these activities, I contribute to enhancing the University's reputation, extending its reach, and creating opportunities for future collaboration and growth.

I am passionate about creating opportunities where others see barriers and am often at my best when working across boundaries to bring together people, ideas, and organisations around a shared purpose. Whether within the University, the public health workforce, or the business community, I seek to build relationships that enable innovation, growth, and positive change.

My approach is firmly values-led, driven by integrity, inclusion, compassion, courage, and social justice. These values influence how I teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions, ensuring that people remain at the centre of everything I do. This stems from my time as a company director and business owner for ten years prior to returning to university in my late 30's.

Alongside my formal responsibilities, I actively champion knowledge exchange, community engagement, and partnership development, recognising that some of the most impactful work happens at the intersection of disciplines and sectors. I am particularly committed to creating opportunities for students and colleagues to connect with industry, employers, researchers, and community partners in ways that enrich learning and enhance real-world impact.

I am known as an enthusiastic collaborator, strategic thinker, and proactive network builder, with a reputation for generating opportunities, connecting people, and raising the profile of both public health and the University. Through my work, I aim to leave a positive legacy by supporting others to thrive, challenging conventional thinking, and contributing to healthier, more equitable communities.