Leanne Stagg

As a registered veterinary nurse (RVN), Leanne has a keen interest in all aspects of animal welfare. She has a fascination with underpinning science, including the One Health aspect. She uses this knowledge to integrate the foundational science subjects into the courses. She is also an examiner for veterinary nurse objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs) and a STEM ambassador for veterinary nursing.

Leanne undertook a degree in Animal Science with a dissertation surrounding vampire bats and their feeding preferences. The degree provided a good knowledge of animals and One Health. This allowed Leanne to consider different options within the animal industry. However, animal welfare, health and husbandry had always been at the forefront and therefore, Leanne took a position to train as a veterinary nurse.

Working in a small animal referral centre gave Leanne a range of experience in a short period of time. Upon completion of her qualification, she moved to a large charity hospital to further her skills and knowledge. Here, there was an element of coaching student nurses. Alongside a previous interest in knowledge transfer and teaching, Leanne decided to further explore this aspiration.

Leanne took a support role in a further education institution as a placement officer to support veterinary nurses during their training. The role involved travelling to practices across the country to support practices to coach student veterinary nurses through their training. Leanne then returned to the notion of teaching and learning and accepted a teaching role within the same institution and department, to teach veterinary nurses. Alongside this she was also examining the students practically in their OSCEs and accepted a secondary role with an awarding body to continue this examining.

During her teaching qualification she conducted a research project surrounding the use of terminology and constructivist learning techniques in veterinary education. This was picked for publication in the University's "Through the Looking Glass" publication.

After having two daughters and hearing them aspire to be involved in the animal and veterinary sectors, Leanne became a STEM ambassador. She outreaches to schools primarily at secondary level, but also primary. This is to bring awareness of the veterinary sector and the different job roles.