Deborah Miarkowska

Deborah is a registered Nurse and Nurse Teacher, who completed here BSc Nursing and Human Science (2:1) at City University and St Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1994. Her initial work experience was on surgical wards in London and the South East before commencing as a Primary Care Nurse and later as a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care.

Deborah began teaching as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Brighton in 2004, whilst continuing to work in Primary Care practice. In 2006, Deborah took a permanent contact to teach on the BSc Nursing and Public Health programmes having completed her Certificate in Health Education (1997), Community Practice Teacher Award (1999) and Post Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion (Europe) in 2001.

Deborah has achieved additional qualifications from the University of Brighton including, a Diploma in the Management of Diabetes (2002), an MSc in Health & Management in 2019, a Post Graduate Certificate in Health & Social Care Education in 2013, Deborah obtained a Fellowship of the Higher Education academy in 2014.

In 2015, Deborah graduated with a Masters level Diploma in Public Relations with Merit, with the CIPR. In 2019, Deborah achieved her Level 3 TAQA award in Assessment and Quality Assurance from Greater Brighton Metropolitan College and in 2023 completed the Westminster Insights training on confident leadership.

Deborah is currently a senior Lecturer in Leadership & Service Improvement in Health & Social Care within the School of Sport & Health Sciences, at the University of Brighton.  Deborah is the Module lead for four post graduate leadership modules within the School of Sport and Health Sciences. Deborah has designed a range of leadership models to engage her students in exploring the development of their leadership, service improvement and change management approaches and particularly enjoys exploring contemporary leadership strategies for individual professional development, service improvement and team empowerment in a wide range of health and social care contexts.

Deborah Miarkowska holds an MSc in Health and Management from the University of Brighton.

Deborah has experience as a primary care researcher and facilitator with Brighton and Sussex Medical School from 2002-2006 and in Quality Leadership from 2002-2005.

Research Interests:

Deborah has a keen interest in leadership excellence for healthcare practice and higher education and in supporting her students to develop their own professional leadership, clinical supervision and service improvement practice and academic writing skills.

Deborah has compiled the following publications:

‘How to write brilliantly for Nursing and Healthcare students is due for publication by SAGE Press in October 2023.

The K.U.P.P.B Model for Clinical Practice – designed for students as a self-reflective model and critical appraisal tool in support of the development of Knowledge, Understanding, Practice Performance and Professional Behaviour for Nursing and Health Professionals. This model is advocated for use in demonstrating the link between theory and practice. It supports the development of your final year portfolio and in preparing responses to your end point interview and in your ongoing pre- and post-registration professional development.

MSc Health (Education & Leadership) Dissertation – What potential does the Boundary Spanning Leadership Model offer in facilitating or inhibiting leadership within UK Universities (HEIs)? A qualitative research synthesis.

MSc Change Management Module Assignment - A critical analysis of the application of a strategic boundary spanning model to enhance the delivery of organisational strategic objectives within an HEI.

MSc Leadership Responsibilities Module Assignment - An examination of effective leadership to enhance the delivery of organisational strategic objectives, communication and motivation in an environment that lacks clear innovative and inspired leadership.

Masters Public Relations Diploma Dissertation - What are the key characteristics and benefits of strategic public relations leadership for UK Independent Schools and what role can the public relations practitioner play, as strategic leader within this?

SOURCE. Jewellery’s Fairtrade Journey. Putting ethics and the environment at the heart of fashion. Self-Published 2012.

BSc Dissertation publication: A critique of the biomedical model and the implications for Nursing theory and practice. British Holistic Medical Association Journal. 2000. No 66:28-31. No 67:27-30.

Approach to teaching:

Deborah has a passion for her students to develop their professional and personal confidence. Deborah’s publication ‘How to write brilliantly for Nursing and Healthcare students is due for publication by SAGE Press in October 2023.

Deborah has for many years lead the Supporting Learners in Practice programmes within the School of Sport and Health Sciences. The delivery has been carefully designed to support post graduate students in the development of their mentorship, clinical supervision and coaching practice. Deborah is a keen proponent of coaching for the enhancement of practice and professional development.

Deborah has a particular interest in the use of digital technologies to facilitate learning and Professional development. In 2020 Deborah compiled and launched her eLearning App – S.O.U.P- Scholarly Outline Upping Performance, to enhance student’s confidence and understanding of academic writing skills. Similarly, all her module materials are offered as a resource to her students in the form of a module flipbook with a wealth of information designed as independent study materials.

Student feedback:

‘I’ve said it before, but once again would like to thank you for the effort you have put into the delivery of this module. It’s an exemplary example of how higher education should be delivered, as a partnership between tutor and student. Your subject knowledge is evident and your enthusiasm is infectious, thank you’. Kind Regards, KG. MSc ACP 10.11.21

'We do all know that you put your heart and soul into this module and that you spend hours every week trying to improve it for us, so please don't think that your hard work goes unnoticed'.  Jenny. NA722 2022.

'Thank you for your supportive feedback today. In my time at Brighton University, you have been a shining example of excellence regarding module content, delivery and humility in support of our questions. It is the first module that I have attended that has had such impact. This is down to you, your style of approach and attention to the need of your cohort. Your passion for the subject is infectious'. Martyn, May 2023. NAM52.

Community engagement

Deborah is a Trustee of the Mid-Sussex Charity Befriended where she leads on the Charities strategy and in coaching the CEO. Deborah is also a member of the Soroptomists, working on projects for the empowerment of women and girls internationally.

From 2004-2010, Deborah ran her own online magazine and ethical lifestyle brand. EcoChic was named amongst the UKs top 10 Green sites by the Guardian in 2010 and was runner up in the University of Brighton Innovation Awards in 2007.

Membership

Deborah is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Deborah is a member of the Royal Society of Arts