Michelle Venter
 |
Contact details |
|
Email: Michelle.Venter@warwick.ac.uk
|
| Twitter: |
Current PhD student
Biography
I am in my first year of a part-time PhD programme in Global Sustainable Development. My research focuses on acupuncture and trauma-related physical and mental health issues, concentrating on the refugee population. My journey to acupuncture began when my profession as a dance teacher and examiner for numerous dance exam boards came to a standstill due to health issues. I spent months with little energy and chronic pain, and nothing the Western medical profession offered was helpful. Then I discovered acupuncture, and life with a long-term illness became less scary. The transformation was so great that I decided to pursue acupuncture training.
After graduating from The Acupuncture Academy (TAA) and earning a three-year full-time degree-level professional Licentiate diploma with distinction, I was invited to join a TAA-based research team, funded by the British Acupuncture Council. The study focused on helping students who were battling with mental health difficulties, and the outcomes were remarkable, even surprising to us. In 2020, I was invited to serve on the British Acupuncture Council Education Committee, which was responsible for revising acupuncture education standards.
In 2021, I joined TAA’s 3rd year clinical teaching team, and in 2023, I was asked to be the Deputy Head of 3rd year at TAA. Now, in addition to treating patients, I get to work with students to share my knowledge and love for acupuncture.
Research Overview
Investigation into Five Element Acupuncture Treatment as an effective and economical healthcare approach to treating trauma-related physical and mental health conditions. Given the link between refugees, trauma and high suicide rates, my research proposes to demonstrate the efficacy of Five Element Acupuncture (5EA) as a low-cost treatment option to address the physical, mental, and emotional impact that displacement augmented by trauma has on this often-marginalised portion of society. Without recognition and pragmatic management of the impacts of violence on physical and mental health, refugees may never be able to participate in sustainable development proactively or benefit from it in the way that they deserve.
Academic background
- PhD Global Sustainable Development - University of Warwick
- Diploma in Paediatric Acupuncture - College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading
- Professional Licentiate in Acupuncture - The Acupuncture Academy, Leamington Spa
-
Diploma of Higher Education: Learning in the Lifelong Sector - University of Warwick
-
Certificate of Higher Education: Ballet Teaching Studies - Royal Academy of Dance, London
- BA (Hons) Dance and Professional Practice - Coventry University
Supervisors
- Prof. Chris Dolan - Global Sustainable Development
- Prof. Phillip Young - Life Sciences
Research interests
- Acupuncture
- Mental Health
- Trauma
- Refugees
- Economical healthcare
- Healthcare policies
- Chinese medicine
Funding and awards
Tbc.
Publications
EJOM - Student mental health research
Media
Five Elements Acupuncture for mental wellbeing in the student population - YouTube
Conference Presentations
ARRC symposium 2023: Five-Element element acupuncture for young people’s mental wellbeing: research and practice in a multibed setting. Julie Reynolds & Michelle Venter
British Acupuncture Council Annual Conference 2023: Giving a Point to Life: A Successful Multibed Model Using Five-Element Acupuncture for Young People’s Mental Wellbeing. Julie Reynolds & Michelle Venter