About
Joe Purden is an Associate Professor and Programme Director within the Healthcare Science portfolio at Swansea University, with academic leadership responsibility for Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy Physics, Radiation Physics, and Medical Engineering. His role combines strategic oversight of professionally accredited programmes with teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate provision, ensuring curricula are academically rigorous, clinically relevant, and aligned with contemporary healthcare science practice. Joe also leads on assessments for the wider portfolio of Healthcare Science programmes, and is the admissions tutor for the Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Physics and Radiotherapy Physics programmes.
His academic background is rooted in medical physics. He completed an MSc in Radiobiology at the University of Oxford, providing a strong foundation in radiation biology and its clinical application within radiotherapy and nuclear medicine. Prior to that, Joe completed a BSc (Hons.) Clinical Technology degree at Swansea University, specialising in Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy Physics. Alongside his teaching responsibilities, he is undertaking a part-time PhD focused on the impact of COVID-19 on access to radiotherapy for breast cancer patients, and uses of virtual reality and digital tools to enhance patient education. His research interests centre on evidence-based service improvement and patient-centred innovation.
Joe is strongly committed to inclusive, student-centred education and curriculum innovation. His teaching emphasises clinical relevance, professional identity, and the development of reflective, work-ready Healthcare Scientists. Through close collaboration with clinical partners and professional bodies, he works to ensure graduates are well prepared for modern healthcare environments, combining technical competence with the professional values required for safe, effective, and compassionate practice.
