CAIPE Chair
Susanne Lindqvist
Professor Susanne Lindqvist is Chair of the UK Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE). She serves as Professor of Interprofessional Practice and Director of the Centre for Interprofessional Practice (CIPP) at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. In addition, she is Head of Year 1 MB BS at Norwich Medical School, a trained coach for senior leaders, and a Visiting Professor at Molde University College in Norway.
Since joining CAIPE in 2004, Susanne has been actively involved in the design, delivery, evaluation, and research of interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP). She contributes to several national and international advisory boards, supporting organisations in developing, embedding, and sustaining interprofessional learning and working practices among students and staff. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded Honorary Fellowship of CAIPE in 2016.
Appointed CAIPE Chair in November 2026, Susanne is committed to advancing CAIPE’s mission and strategic objectives. She looks forward to working alongside trustees and members to strengthen interprofessional education and collaborative practice, an approach more vital than ever in addressing challenges and improving outcomes across health and social care.
Treasurer
Pat Bluteau
Pat is an Associate Head of School – Quality & Accreditation in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, at Coventry University. She joined the CAIPE Board in 2013 and was appointed Treasurer in 2017. Pat has been actively involving in leading IPE at Coventry University since 2002. During her time with CAIPE Pat has served on the following CAIPE groups: Student, Service User & Carer, Marketing & Promotion, and is currently active in the IPE national standards.
Her IPE research interests concentrate on the challenges and opportunities of designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating interprofessional education in pre-registration health and social care professional courses, online interprofessional education, digital resilience, practice based interprofessional activity and discourse analysis.
Board Members
Dr Sharron Blumenthal
Sharron is an experienced academic leader with expertise in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, interprofessional education (IPE), internationalisation, and cultural competence.
Her clinical background is in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, developed through practice at Royal Brompton Hospital and the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
Sharron joined Glasgow Caledonian University in 2004 as a Lecturer and was appointed Associate Dean in 2016. In March 2020, she returned to Physiotherapy and interprofessional education and is currently a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy and Strategic Lead for interprofessional education within the School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS).
As a former Associate Dean, Sharron has played a significant role in international partnership development and international strategy at both School and University levels. As a physiotherapy academic, she has extensive expertise in curriculum development across physiotherapy and interprofessional education.
Interprofessional education has been her primary area of expertise since 2004, and she has presented her work nationally and internationally. She co-led the development of the SHLS Interprofessional Education Framework in 2014, became IPE Lead for Allied Health Professionals and Social Work in 2021, and was appointed to the Strategic Lead role in December 2023. She is currently leading the review of the IPE framework, scheduled for implementation in 2026, and has also led the development of the School IPE Strategy.
Sharron has been involved in numerous interprofessional practice-based projects, including work with the British Thoracic Society to develop interprofessional guidelines for Non-Invasive Ventilation (2002). She also contributed to the Joint British Thoracic Society and Association of Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care (ACPRC) Guidelines for the physiotherapy management of the adult, medical, spontaneously breathing patient (2009), serving as co-lead for Section Six, focusing on the management of patients with neuromuscular disease.
Mark Dexter
Professor Federico Farini
Federico Farini's (Ph.D. Sociology) academic background is rooted in Social Sciences, with a Ph.D. in Sociology of Intercultural Communication (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2008), MA in Social Anthropology (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2005) and a second MA in Social History (University of Bologna, 2002). For nearly 20 years, several successful research bids have made it possible for Prof Farini to apply knowledge and skills to empirical investigations. He has been researching professionally through national and international projects in the fields of Sociology of Intercultural Communication, Cultural Sociology, Globalization Theories, Social Theory, Communication Studies, Sociology of Education, Youth and Childhood studies, Policy evaluation, and the sociolinguistic analysis of interaction. Other areas of expertise concern Equality and Social Justice in access to education and healthcare, Sociology of Conflict, and Peace Studies. Federico Farini leads the Research Centre for Psychological and Sociological Sciences at the University of Northampton
Dr Aoife Fleming
Aoife is the Vice Head for Interprofessional Learning in the College of Medicine and Health and a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy University College Cork. She chairs the College IPL Development Committee which oversees Interprofessional Education and Learning for students across a range of healthcare programmes. Aoife is a registered Pharmacist, with experience in hospital, community and regulatory pharmacy. Aoife has a passion for developing student confidence and competence to prepare them for future practice, and for including the patient voice and lived experience into IPE. She has driven a dynamic and innovative programme of IPE for students across all disciplines in the College. She is an active member of the All Ireland Interprofessional Healthcare Challenge (AIPEC) national steering group and works with colleagues in Universities across the island of Ireland to organise this annual event. AIPEC is an intervarsity student challenge which provides an extracurricular opportunity for health and social care students to develop their collaboration and team-working skills. She is a Principal Investigator with research expertise in the areas of medication safety, antimicrobial stewardship, interprofessional learning, vaccination uptake and pharmacy practice.
Professor John Hammond
John Hammond is Professor of Interprofessional Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University. John is also Co-Chair of the UK National Association of Educators in Practice and is an Associate Editor of Physiotherapy journal. He is also an Associate Non-Executive Director at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Though his various roles he has strategic insight for interprofessional teaching and learning practices and workforce development.
John’s research centres that investigate interprofessional learning and collaboration particularly in the transition from pre-registration to qualified practice. He also has interests in pedagogic practices and issues of social justice; such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability and allyship. Similarly John's teaching interests centre on issues of social justice, specifically diversity, gender, reflective practice and interprofessional working.
John trained as a physiotherapist and has previously worked clinically in Australia and the UK. In his previous clinical and academic roles he has held leadership responsiblities including Associate Dean (Widening Participation), Associate Dean (Education) and has chaired the Equality and Diversity Committees.
Professor Richard Kyle
Richard is a Visiting Professor in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University. He served as Professor of Interprofessional Education and Director of the Academy of Nursing at the University of Exeter (2022-2025).
Richard has over 20 years’ experience in higher education, having previously held academic positions at the Universities of Glasgow (2005-2006), Lancaster (2006-2007), Manchester (2008-2010), Stirling (2010-2014) and Edinburgh Napier (2015-2020). Richard developed and evaluated pioneering drama-based educational approaches to illustrate the complexities of interprofessional working in healthcare. His pedagogical innovations have received a Scottish Education Award and recognition as a Student Nursing Times Awards finalist for ‘Partnership of the Year’ and ‘Teaching Innovation of the Year’. Richard is also an accomplished researcher and publishes widely across the fields of healthcare professional education, nursing, and public health. Richard has held senior leadership positions in higher education, charities, and the NHS, where he was Deputy Head of Research and Evaluation at Public Health Wales (2020-2021).
Susanne Lindqvist
Professor Susanne Lindqvist is Chair of the UK Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE). She serves as Professor of Interprofessional Practice and Director of the Centre for Interprofessional Practice (CIPP) at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. In addition, she is Head of Year 1 MB BS at Norwich Medical School, a trained coach for senior leaders, and a Visiting Professor at Molde University College in Norway.
Since joining CAIPE in 2004, Susanne has been actively involved in the design, delivery, evaluation, and research of interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP). She contributes to several national and international advisory boards, supporting organisations in developing, embedding, and sustaining interprofessional learning and working practices among students and staff. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded Honorary Fellowship of CAIPE in 2016.
Appointed CAIPE Chair in November 2026, Susanne is committed to advancing CAIPE’s mission and strategic objectives. She looks forward to working alongside trustees and members to strengthen interprofessional education and collaborative practice, an approach more vital than ever in addressing challenges and improving outcomes across health and social care.
Dr Veronica O’Carroll
Veronica O'Carroll is a Senior Lecturer and Registered Nurse (Adult) in the School of Medicine, University of St Andrews. Since 2009, she has been involved in the design and implementation of interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional research in the academic and practice learning environment. Veronica supervises and examines MSc PhD/MD Prof Doc dissertations and theses related to interprofessional education and interprofessional collaboration. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Interprofessional Care.
Melissa Owens
I have a consistent and sustained track record of delivering high-quality, collaborative, teaching and research within the field of IPECP, within my own organization, nationally and internationally. I have published widely within the field and won global awards for initiatives that I have been involved in. Through my membership on the Board of CAIPE I am also involved with the work of IPG and am on the Steering Committee of IPR.G.
Dr Vikki Park
Dr Vikki Park is a Trustee and Elected Board Member of the UK Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE) and is Co-Chair of the Research Priority Group. She teaches national senior healthcare leaders at Teesside University, UK, and is a Senior Lecturer in Patient Experience, Outcome and Healthcare Leadership.
Vikki is a nursing academic specialising in interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP). She is a registered nurse, Senior Fellow of Advance HE and NMC Registered Nurse Teacher. Internationally recognised for her role in leading, influencing and impacting the field of IPECP, Vikki has leadership roles in national and international organisations such as INHWE, IPR.Global, and IP.Global and has won three collaborative awards for global impact. Vikki has developed educational strategy in UK universities, regionally, nationally and internationally, and leads IPECP advancement through research, scholarship of teaching and learning, consultancy, guest speaking and external examining. She has published widely on the topic of IPECP and is regularly invited for keynotes, guest speaker opportunities and international expert panels.
Suzy Plows
Suzy Plows is Manager of the Centre for Interprofessional Education and Learning (CIEL) at the University of Nottingham, where she leads the development, delivery and evaluation of the Centre’s interprofessional education provision. She designs curricula, leads staff development and works across programmes and institutions to create meaningful opportunities for students and educators to learn together.
Suzy is a CAIPE Trustee and Board member and co-leads both the Translating Evidence into Practice priority group and the Marketing and Communications Subcommittee.
She develops international partnerships and shared learning opportunities through initiatives including the International Interprofessional Student Club and Bridging Perspectives. These bring students and educators together across institutions and countries to explore different perspectives and collaborative practice. She also contributes to interprofessional.global and co-hosts the Interprofessional SPACe podcast.
Her work spans student leadership, simulation and reflective learning. She leads and mentors the CIEL Student Committee, co-developed and helps lead MidMed, and led Nottingham’s interprofessional contribution to the East Midlands Schwartz Rounds programme over two years. She was team lead when CIEL received a Lord Dearing Award in 2024.
With a background in public health, health policy and anthropology, Suzy is particularly interested in how values, relationships and professional identity shape the way people learn and work together. She writes and presents internationally, drawing on her experience of curriculum development, student involvement and international collaboration. Her recent work explores health promotion within IPE, family and carer perspectives in compassionate care and leadership, and the development of international student learning communities. She is also a contributing author to the forthcoming second edition of Interprofessional Education and Collaboration, with a chapter on values, ethics and relationships in interprofessional healthcare.
Emma Pope
Alison Power
Alison Power is an Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching, a Registered Midwife, and a Senior Fellow of Advance HE. She holds Teacher status on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Register and serves on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Midwifery, contributing to the advancement of scholarly discourse within the profession.
Alison holds a Master of Professional Practice (Level 8), alongside Postgraduate Certificates in Teaching in Higher Education (PGCTHE) and Practice Education (PGCPE), reflecting her sustained commitment to excellence in academic leadership, pedagogic innovation, and clinical education.
At the University of Northampton, Alison leads strategic initiatives in Interprofessional Education (IPE) as Faculty Lead and champions reflective practice and compassionate care in her role as Schwartz Rounds Lead. Her work supports the development of ethically grounded, collaborative healthcare professionals capable of responding to the complex demands of contemporary practice.
Alison’s academic influence extends internationally through her Visiting Faculty roles at Saint Louis University, USA, and Edith Cowan University, Australia, where she has contributed to teaching, scholarship, and the advancement of interprofessional and practice-based education across global contexts.
Nationally, Alison is a Board Member of the Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE), a UK charity dedicated to promoting IPE, research, and collaborative practice to support public health and a workforce fit for purpose. She also serves on CAIPE’s Marketing and Communications Committee, contributing to the organisation’s strategic outreach and engagement.
Internationally, Alison represents CAIPE within the Capacity Building Working Group and Communications Team of Interprofessional.Global (IP.G), a worldwide platform connecting networks committed to advancing interprofessional education and collaborative practice across health and social care. She plays a key role in coordinating IP.G’s Global Cafés, an international programme of online seminars designed to foster dialogue, critical reflection, and knowledge exchange among educators, practitioners, and researchers worldwide.
Sivaram Shanmugam
Dr Shiv Shanmugam is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy in the Department of Allied Health Professions at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is the founding Programme Director of an innovative integrated pre-registration Doctorate in Physiotherapy, the first programme of its kind in Europe, and serves as the Professional Lead for Physiotherapy. Shiv trained as a physiotherapist at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India, where he was awarded the Steve Kolumban Memorial Gold Medal for the best all-round student. He began his career as a Clinical Academic at the Rehabilitation Institute before moving to the United Kingdom, where he has held academic posts at Queen Margaret University and Glasgow Caledonian University. A significant strand of Shiv’s work operates at system level within physiotherapy education. He is Lead Investigator for two national tenders commissioned by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, focused on strengthening quality across the physiotherapy education continuum. This includes transforming quality in pre-registration education and clarifying the CSP’s role in post-registration education and training, with particular attention to
quality assurance, professional development, and system coherence beyond statutory regulation. Together, this work informs national policy, governance, and strategic approaches to physiotherapy education in the United Kingdom. Alongside his academic role, Shiv holds a number of senior governance and advisory positions. He is Chair of the University’s Assessment Regulations Sub-Committee and Chair of the Anti-Racism Curriculum Group. He also leads the Education Research and Scholarship Group within the School of Health and Life Sciences, an interdisciplinary community of over 60 members dedicated to educational enhancement, innovation, and impact. Shiv teaches at master’s and doctoral level on interprofessional education modules and has supervised doctoral research in collaborative practice, including the validation of measurement tools for integrated community teams. Beyond the university, he serves as a Non-Executive Director and Board Member of a third-sector educational organisation delivering Family and Systemic Therapy across Scotland and the North of England. He is also a Lay Advisor to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and a Trustee of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust.
Dr Amanda Squire
Leading on from a clinical career in dietetics, Amanda is now Lead for Interprofessional Education at Cardiff Metropolitan University, driving the strategic development of interprofessional education and collaborative practice. A published academic with expertise in programme leadership, project development, and service evaluation, she supports innovative, authentic learning experiences that enhance professional practice and improve care quality across health and social care.
A dedicated HCPC-registered Dietitian, Amanda co-leads the Allied Clinical Health Hub, an award winning centre of patient-facing, collaborative student training and clinical practice. She has extensive experience influencing national and international conversations on person-centred care and professionalism, including roles as Chief External Examiner, Academic Advisor, and Chair of the Higher Education Group of the Welsh Therapies Advisory Committee.
With a PhD and strong research background, Amanda supports CAIPE’s research workstreams on interprofessional learning in practice and co-leads the development of minimum competencies for IPECP, alongside national projects with Health Education and Improvement Wales. Formerly a CAIPE Board Member (2014) and now a Board Trustee, she continues to champion collaboration, innovation, and evidence-informed practice to advance CAIPE’s mission to lead, connect, and influence in interprofessional education.