Dr Louise Lawson

Senior Lecturer

Lecturers & TutorsResearchStaff

Image of Louise Lawson

louise.lawson@unigib.edu.gi

Biography

A highly experienced paediatric, neonatal, and adult registered nurse clinician, Dr Louise Lawson brings over 35 years of expertise in both nursing practice and higher education. Louise holds a Doctorate in Education (EdD), an MA in Higher Education (Nursing), and a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing. Prior to working and living in Gibraltar, Louise worked at the University of Hertfordshire for 20 years as a Principal Lecturer, leading MSc CPD programmes for nurses and allied healthcare professionals. Since 2021, Dr Louise Lawson is now a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Gibraltar and is responsible for the programme leadership of the MSc Contemporary Healthcare and the MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice programmes, as well as module leadership for level 6 modules in the undergraduate nursing programmes. Louise sits on the Learning and Teaching Committee at the University of Gibraltar.

As a Teaching Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she is deeply committed to student-centred education, supporting adult learners in balancing academic, professional, and personal commitments. Her teaching portfolio spans from modules relating to mentorship, leadership and management, evidence-based practice, research methodologies, public healthcare, medicines management, and advanced decision making. Having worked internationally as both a nurse and educator, she has a strong track record of working with diverse student groups and ensuring accessibility for those with additional learning needs.

With an active research profile, Louise has contributed extensively to international nursing conferences and academic publications, with her post-doctoral research focusing on teaching and learning pedagogies in nurse education. She also supervises MSc and PhD students, guiding them through primary research projects while also providing academic skills support for undergraduate and postgraduate nurses. Passionate about advancing education in healthcare, Louise is dedicated to developing innovative teaching strategies that empower nurses to enhance their careers with confidence and competence.

Research Interests

Louise’s main research interests lie in the mentorship and support of student nurses in practice, and how student nurses learn in healthcare.

Publications

  • Calder, S.J., Lawson, L.G., Calder, P.R. (2021) A phenomenological exploration of the lived experiences of orthopaedic surgeon during the Covid-19 pandemic. Annals Journal & Bulletin Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 103 (5), pp. 248-253.
  • Lawson, L.G (2013) Midwives: The next generation. Midwives. 4. pp. 46-47.
  • Bunyan, C & Lawson, LG (2013) The role of the mentor in evaluating learning. The Practising Midwife. 3. pp. 15-17.
  • Lawson, LG (2012) The stage 1 mentor role needs questioning. Nursing Times. 108 (39), p 11.
  • Lawson L.G. (2011) CPD for mentors: creating a portfolio. Nursing Times; 107: p. 21.
  • Lawson, L.G & Peate, I (2009) Essential Nursing Care: A Workbook for Clinical Practice. Wiley Blackwell.
  • Rajoo-Naidu, V & Lawson, L.G. (2009) Principles of Respiratory Care. In Essential Nursing Care: A Workbook for Clinical Practice. Wiley Blackwell.
  • Lawson, L.G (2009) Principles of Elimination. In Essential Nursing Care: A Workbook for Clinical Practice. Wiley Blackwell.
  • Lawson, L.G (2009) Principles of First Aid. In Essential Nursing Care: A Workbook for Clinical Practice. Wiley Blackwell.
  • Lawson, L.G., Alinier, G., Jones, I (2006) An investigation into the use of simulation and clinical skills training in the students’ preparation for practice. Simulation in Healthcare. 9, (2), p.98.
  • Lawson, L.G. (2001) Handwashing: A Neonatal Perspective. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. 7 (2): pp. 42-46.

Conferences

  • Lawson, L.G. (2025) An exploration of student nurses’ ‘ways of learning’ on placement in Gibraltar. 13th Edition- World Congress on Nursing Education & Practice. Vienna.
  • Lawson, L.G. (2024) An exploration of student nurses’ ‘ways of learning’ on placement in Gibraltar. Research that Benefits Gibraltar Conference. University of Gibraltar.
  • Lawson, L.G. (2024) The Art of Heuristic Learning in Gibraltar: Student Nurses’ Perspectives of Discovery Learning on Placement. An International Conference on Healthcare Education in Practice. University of Gibraltar.
  • Lawson, L.G. (2019) Graduate Nurses’ Early Experiences of Mentorship: A Phenomenological Analysis. ICN Congress 2019. Marina Bay Sands. Singapore. Poster Presentation. Abstract No. PO315.
  • Lawson, L.G. (2017) Becoming and Being a Stage 1 Mentor. Conference Presentation. University of East London.
  • Lawson, L.G. and Godbold, R (2017) Engaging Undergraduate Malaysian Students in Research and Inquiry. Conference Presentation. Teaching & Learning Conference. University of Hertfordshire.
  • Duff, D., Karstadt, L., Lawson, L.G., Moloney, C., Ralph, N., Rogers, C. &Terry, V (2016) Too hot, too cold, or just right? International perspectives on the number of professional experience hours in pre-registration undergraduate nursing programs. Nurse Education Today Conference. Cambridge.
  • Lawson, L.G (2016) The Realities and Experiences of Being a Stage 1 Mentor: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study. Concurrent Session. RCN Conference Education Forum International Conference and Exhibition. Telford.
  • Lawson, L.G. (2016) World Café as a Teaching and Learning Strategy in Higher Education. Poster Presentation. The School of Health and Social Work Learning and Teaching Conference.
  • Karstadt, L; Rogers, C; Ralph, N; & Lawson, L. (2015) Professional Experience Hours as a Predictor of Student Nurse Preparedness for Qualified Practice. Nurse Education Today Conference. Cambridge.
  • Lawson, L.G. (2012) Stage 1 mentoring: A Small-Scale Study using Focus Group Enquiry with 3rd Year Student Nurses. Concurrent session @ the RCN Education Conference. Harrogate.
  • Lawson, L.G (2010) Enhancing the mentor experience: The implementation of stage 1 and 2 mapping tools to support mentors in their continuing professional development. HHS Learning & Teaching Conference Presentation. University of Hertfordshire.
  • Lawson, L.G., Alinier, G., Jones, I (2006) An investigation into the use of simulation and clinical skills training in the students’ preparation for practice. Poster Presentation. Abstract No. #1396. Simulation in Healthcare Conference. San Diego. USA.