Heather Bain University of Highlands and Islands, UK

Dr Heather Bain is Head of Academic Operations at the Centre for Rural Health Sciences, University of the Highlands and Islands, where she provides strategic leadership in academic and educational development. She has extensive experience in higher education, with roles in curriculum design, quality assurance, programme leadership and senior academic management. Heather has worked locally and nationally to champion community nursing, advanced practice and prescribing education, including secondments with NHS Education for Scotland and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, alongside quality assurance work on behalf of professional regulators. Her professional contributions have been recognised with fellowship of the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, and she serves on national editorial and professional advisory boards. Her research and scholarly activity focus on community nursing, advanced practice, prescribing and healthcare education, integrating academic inquiry with practice to influence policy, leadership and workforce development.