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Cheryl Francis


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Librarian (School of Medicine)

I graduated in 2001 with a BA (Hons) in Information and Library Science at the University of Brighton and gained Chartered Librarian (MCLIP) status in 2003. I worked in public libraries for the first six years of my career where I helped open two libraries in Brighton, including the central Jubilee Library in 2005.

In 2010 I began my first role in higher education at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and in 2013 I gained Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) via the University of Sussex.

My team very recently received the University of Sunderland Improvement of the Year Award 2021 in recognition of our pivot to online working during the pandemic resulting in access to our services more than doubling.



Teaching and supervision

I am the librarian for the School of Medicine. I have been teaching literature searching and finding evidence for over 12 years, and have experience searching the literature directly for clinicians to inform their research and practice. My role here at the University is to liaise between the school and the library to ensure students and staff have access to the resources they need.

  • Searching bibliographic databases, especially scientific and health databases
  • Systematic literature searching
  • Finding resources for evidence-based practice
  • Buying resources for teaching and learning
  • Referencing and reference management software
  • Access to library resources
  • Access to HEI-NHS OpenAthens and placement NHS OpenAthens
  • Liaison with placement NHS Libraries

Last updated 28 February 2024