Research My interest in women’s mental health

began as a ward sister working on an acute psychiatric ward in London. This interest formed the

basis of my PhD where I identified the particular needs of women with serious and enduring mental health

problems and investigated the availability and appropriateness of services and support.

The finding of this research informed a number of service changes and innovations in the local mental health trust.

More recently, my research has moved into other areas such as workforce planning, learning disabilities and personality disorder, although my interest in gender,

women and mental health remains.

CareerI began my career as a nurse in London gaining general, mental health

and oncology qualifications and two undergraduate degrees. Following the birth of my two children, I moved into education first at De Montfort University and then at the University of Nottingham where I worked for 16 years. Whilst at Nottingham, I was awarded my PhD and was promoted from lecturer to senior lecturer and then to reader.

In 2006 I moved to my first Chair at the University of Lincoln. Here I discovered that I really enjoyed educational management and have worked as a Faculty Dean and currently as a Pro-Vice Chancellor. I maintain an interest and commitment to research by supervising PhD students, writing papers and attending the occasional conference. My advice to aspiring women

academics is to be passionate and enthusiastic about your work, grab opportunities when they come along, engage with your academic community, learn from others, find good mentors and role models, and accept that you will have to work hard.

SARA OWEN

1978

1984

1999

2006 2010

Quali�ed as Registered Mental Nurse

Lecturer, University of Nottingham

1986 1988

Daughter bornSon born

Quali�ed asRegistered General Nurse

1992

PhD, University of Nottingham

Reader, University of Nottingham

Senior Lecturer, University of Nottingham

Dean, University of Lincoln

Professor, University of Lincoln

Pro-Vice Chancellor University of Lincoln