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