Inspirational academic recognised as a National Teaching Fellow

Professor Kate Knight, Associate Dean in the Chester Medical School in the University’s Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society, has today (Thursday, August 7 2025) been named as a National Teaching Fellow by Advance HE. 

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) recognises, rewards and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. Kate joins other academics at the University - Derek France, Professor of Pedagogy in Geographical Sciences; Ruth Healey, Professor of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and Andy Todd, Associate Professor of Active Citizenship - who have all been recipients of the NTF accolade in recent years and exemplify the academic excellence at the University. 

Kate, who has recently been made a Professor at the University, started her career as a registered children’s nurse. She has dedicated her career to making a difference to children, young people and the community with a commitment to using her voice to improving people’s lives. 

Amongst her numerous achievements, she represents the University at a wide range of international, national and regional stakeholder groups, has transformed practice learning at the University by growing a bespoke provision and building it to the current national and international reputation it has as well as growing placement opportunities for students across health programmes across the region.  

Nationally recognised for her pioneering contributions to student placement models, Kate has designed and led the implementation of innovative practice learning approaches that address critical placement shortages while ensuring safe, high-quality learning environments. Her leadership has driven significant improvements in governance, safeguarding, and inclusivity across practice education. 

A dedicated advocate for civic engagement and student wellbeing, Kate has introduced initiatives including simulation-based placements, targeted interventions supporting student mental health and safeguarding, and strategies to widen access through underutilised community settings. She is an influential voice in national policy, contributing to NHS England and Skills for Care initiatives and shaping sector-wide best practice. 

Kate’s PhD focused on physically disabled children and the need to support out-of-school provision which has informed her learning, teaching practice and youth work to promote a more inclusive environment. In recognition of her role as a volunteer youth leader for over 18 years, she received a High Sheriff of Cheshire Award for her leadership, commitment and innovation in delivery of activities in 2021 and a prestigious Award for Merit for her dedication and leadership within my voluntary work in 2022.   

Kate said: “I am honoured to join the National Teaching Fellowship community and to celebrate the transformative work taking place across practice learning. This recognition reflects the passion, innovation, and collaboration of colleagues at the University of Chester, across Cheshire and Merseyside, and throughout the Northwest.  I look forward to using this Fellowship to further champion innovation and advance the quality, equity, and impact of student placements across health, medicine, and society.” 

Professor Helen O’Sullivan, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Chester, said: “Kate’s work has been transformative within the University of Chester, reaching and positively influencing the lives of students, healthcare professionals and the service users they work with.  

“The recent conferment of her professorial title is testament to the value we place on Kate’s contribution and her up-coming inaugural lecture will be a wonderful place to celebrate the breadth and sustained impact of her work.” 

Kathryn Harrison-Graves, Deputy Chief Executive at Advance HE said, "We are delighted to announce the 2025 awards to those with an unwavering commitment to teaching excellence.  

“These newly awarded National Teaching Fellows and CATE teams represent the very best of UK higher education, demonstrating remarkable innovation, dedication and impact on student learning. Their achievements not only benefit their own institutions but inspire excellence across the entire sector. At a time when higher education faces unprecedented challenges, these awards celebrate the transformative power of outstanding teaching and collaboration." 

Professor Becky Huxley-Binns, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Canterbury Christ Church University, and chair of the teaching excellence awards panel, said, “These awards represent the very best of higher education during a crucial moment. As our sector faces its greatest challenges, these exceptional educators have risen to meet them with innovation, dedication and excellence that simply couldn't be ignored.  

“The unusually high number of NTFS awards this year isn't just recognition of individual achievement - it's a testament to the remarkable resilience and quality of our teaching community. These fellowships celebrate educators who don't just deliver knowledge, but transform lives, inspire futures and demonstrate that even in uncertain times, educational excellence not only endures but flourishes.”