Dr Bahareh Vahabi

Qualifications:

BSc, MSc, PhD, FHEA

Position:

Associate Professor/ Programme Leader- MSc Health Technology

Department:

HAS - Applied Sciences

Telephone:

+441173281799

Email:

Bahareh.Vahabi@uwe.ac.uk

About me

Dr Bahareh Vahabi is an Associate Professor in the School of Applied Sciences at UWE Bristol, with expertise spanning physiology, pharmacology, academic leadership, international partnerships and knowledge exchange.

Bahareh holds a PhD in Pharmacology and has an established research profile in lower urinary tract physiology and pharmacology, with a particular focus on benign bladder disorders. She has published widely in the field, contributed to national and international research collaborations, and acts as a reviewer for scientific journals and funding bodies. 

Alongside her research, Bahareh has a strong track record in education and programme leadership. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning with Distinction. She has led and taught across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology and health technology, and currently leads the MSc Health Technology programme. Her approach focuses on connecting academic learning with research, healthcare, industry and real-world challenges to enhance the student experience and graduate opportunities.

Bahareh also has a significant portfolio in international partnerships and external engagement. As the International Partnership Lead for the School of Applied Sciences, she has developed and strengthened collaborations with universities and organisations in the UK and internationally, supporting student mobility, research collaboration, transnational education, progression pathways and knowledge exchange. Her work has contributed to increased international recruitment and the development of new opportunities for students and staff.

A key focus of Bahareh’s work is building bridges between universities and external partners. She has developed collaborations across the NHS, industry, community organisations and international institutions, including leading initiatives that connect academic expertise and student talent with real-world organisational challenges. She is particularly interested in creating sustainable partnerships that deliver mutual value through education, research, innovation, workforce development and civic engagement.

Across her roles, Bahareh is committed to bringing together people, ideas and organisations to create opportunities that extend beyond traditional academic boundaries and deliver tangible benefits for students, partners and wider communities.

Area of expertise

Research Interests

Lower Urinary Tract Physiology and Disorders:
Bahareh’s primary research expertise is in lower urinary tract (LUT) physiology and pharmacology, with a particular interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying benign bladder dysfunction. Her research investigates the physiological, pharmacological and molecular mechanisms contributing to LUT disorders, with the aim of improving understanding of their pathophysiology and identifying potential approaches to prevention, diagnosis and management.

Ketamine-Associated Bladder Dysfunction:
A developing area of Bahareh’s research focuses on ketamine-associated bladder damage and the significant urinary symptoms experienced by people who use ketamine. Her current work brings together academic researchers, healthcare professionals, drug and alcohol services and people with lived experience to better understand ketamine-related bladder harm, identify gaps in awareness and care, and co-produce future research priorities and interventions. This work includes collaboration with the Bristol Drugs Project and NHS partners and has a strong emphasis on patient and public involvement (PPI) and translating research into meaningful improvements in education, prevention and healthcare.

COVID-19 and Lower Urinary Tract Function:
Bahareh has also investigated the potential relationship between COVID-19 and lower urinary tract symptoms, particularly in older adults. This research explores whether COVID-19 infection is associated with the development or worsening of urinary symptoms and the potential implications for longer-term patient management.

Teaching and Education

Bahareh teaches across Physiology, Pharmacology, Biomedical Skills and Pathophysiology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her educational interests include research-informed teaching, interdisciplinary learning and creating opportunities for students to apply their knowledge to authentic healthcare, industry and research challenges. She is Programme Leader for the MSc Health Technology and has extensive experience in programme development, validation, research supervision and international education.

International Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

As the International Partnership Lead for the School of Applied Sciences, Bahareh develops and strengthens strategic relationships with universities and organisations internationally. Her work encompasses transnational education, progression pathways, student and staff mobility, research collaboration, placements and knowledge exchange.

More broadly, Bahareh has a strong interest in developing partnerships that connect academia, healthcare, industry and communities. She works with NHS organisations, universities, businesses and community partners to create collaborative opportunities that support education, research, innovation and workforce development, with a particular focus on translating academic expertise into real-world impact.

Publications

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