Dr Vrinda Nayak (She/her)

Professor Vrinda Nayak is the Associate Professor in Medical Education and also serves as the Associate Dean for Taught Students (Racial Equality and Inclusion) at the University of Exeter. She is part of the University's Senior Education Leadership Team and provides strategic leadership for the Success for All component of the University’s Education Strategy. This initiative aims to broaden participation, close degree awarding gaps, and foster a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all students (https://www.exeter.ac.uk/about/vision/successforall/). Her efforts have resulted in projects designed to improve curricula and teaching practices across all programs at the University through the Transformative Education Framework and Inclusive Education Project. Through her collaboration with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Wellbeing Inclusion Culture Committees (WICC), she actively supports the success of underrepresented students and those from marginalised communities at the university.

Professor Vrinda Nayak joined the University of Exeter in 2013. She obtained her education in India and holds a PhD in Radiation Biology. Subsequently, she worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Bristol from 2003 to 2010, where she published her research in the field of Biomedical Sciences in reputable scientific journals.

She has extensive experience in teaching and supporting students in various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Her teaching expertise covers Physiology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Radiation Biology, Research Methods, and Evidence Based Clinical Practice. She previously led modules in these subject areas and currently serves as the Academic Co-lead for Problem Based Learning (PBL) for the BMBS programme.

Her research interests focus on enhancing the educational experience of underrepresented students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Currently, she is leading projects with universities in the UK, India, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. Professor Vrinda Nayak encourages educators who are interested in collaborative projects aimed at enhancing the student experience for underrepresented students in HEIs to reach out to her with any queries.

Qualifications:

PhD Radiation Biology, Manipal University, India, 2002

MSc Biosciences, Mangalore University, India

BSc Lifesciences, Mangalore University, India

Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice (PCAP) University of Exeter, 2015

Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, UK, 2016

Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK, 2022

Principal Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK 2024