Dr Richelle Duffy

Associate Professor

School: Healthcare and Nursing Sciences

Richelle is Associate Professor in the School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences and CPD Teaching Excellence Lead at Northumbria University. A nurse and Army officer by background, she has worked in higher education since 2001 and has held roles including Assistant Subject Head (Undergraduate Curriculums), Director of Teaching and Learning, and Work Based Learning Lead (Health Programmes). Her doctoral research on how nurse educators construct academic identity produced a conceptual model for the sector and shapes her focus on helping educators from diverse professional backgrounds become confident academic leaders.

In her current role she works across the institution with academic and professional services colleagues and with School and institutional leaders to build a shared vision for teaching quality. The University has recognised her teaching excellence with a Northumbria Distinguished Teaching Fellowship (individual award, 2026) and students have recognised her through multiple nominations for student-led teaching awards.

Beyond the University, Richelle acts as a lead assessor for the Office for Students and is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA). She is a trustee and advisor to Hi-VisUK, a charity improving identification of and support for older people with dual sensory impairment through accredited workforce training. She also acts as a reviewer and external examiner for initial teacher preparation programmes, and supervises and examines doctoral students in the UK and internationally.

Campus Address

D001 CLC West
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE7 7XA

Email Richelle

Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Richelle's research examines how educators and practitioners develop professional identity, capability and leadership, using constructivist approaches and qualitative methodologies, particularly constructivist grounded theory. Her work connects academic identity and educator development with the design of inclusive approaches to staff and student education.

She is an experienced supervisor and examiner of PhD, Professional Doctorate and PhD by publication students in the UK and internationally, chairs PhD progression panels, and acts as a subject expert.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
From notification to action: Proactive use of Student Accessibility Plans (SAPs) to support inclusive learning, Duffy, R., Sykes, K., Moore, J. 21 May 2026, Northumbria University Celebration of Education 2026
The evolving role of paramedicine educators: A scoping review, Sheahan, J., Duffy, R., Cunningham, C. 1 Jun 2025, In: African Journal of Emergency Medicine
A Model to Support the Development of Professional Capital in Trainee Teachers: A Constructivist Grounded Theory, Cole, S., Duffy, R. 24 Apr 2024, In: Journal of Professional Capital and Community
Enhancing quality in same day emergency care: A service improvement perspective, Gibson, S., Duffy, R. Jan 2024, In: International Journal for Advancing Practice
What are ambulance crews’ experiences of using a mechanical chest compression device for out-of-hospital resuscitation? A constructivist qualitative study utilising online focus groups: A constructivist qualitative study utilising online focus groups, Blair, L., Duffy, R. 1 Sep 2022, In: British Paramedic Journal
Maximising the potential of early career healthcare educators, Duffy, R. 7 Sep 2021, NET 2021 Conference
PhD by Published Works Principal Supervisor: Dr Helen Howlett: Title: Building a case for a standardised antenatal alcohol screening programme in the UK., Duffy, R. 2021
A study of the skills, education and qualifications of nurses performing dermatological surgery in the United Kingdom, Eddy, L., Duffy, R. 20 Dec 2019, In: Dermatological Nursing: The journal of the British Dermatological Nursing Group
International models and student voice effecting professional programme design for personal and professional capital, Duffy, R., Cole, S. 20 Jul 2018, Advance HE: Teaching and Learning Conference 2018
The personal and professional capital of Master's level study for teachers, Duffy, R., Cole, S. 13 Sep 2018, British Education Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference 2018

Professional Activity

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Organising a conference, workshop, ...: Three Rivers Conference 2025
Membership of network: HOT Coffee: How Others Teach (Event) 2022
Other: PhD Lead Supervisor 2015

PGR Supervision

Eleasha Spencer Start Date: 24/02/2026
Janet Wilkinson Start Date: 24/02/2026
Victoria Mercer Start Date: 24/02/2026 End Date: 16/07/2026
Rachael Betty Start Date: 24/02/2026
James Keith Start Date: 24/02/2026 End Date: 16/07/2026
Jennifer Mc Dermott How do teachers experience taught and applied Master’s-level research skills in relation to their sense of autonomy within their school environment? Start Date: 01/10/2023
Alice Turner Start Date: 24/02/2026
Elaine Francis How Does Frailty Impact Hospital Decision-Making for 'Frail Women'? A Critical Ethnographic Study in North-East England Start Date: 01/10/2024