Will Holmes is Reader in Optometry Education at The University of Manchester. From 2016-2021 he was Optometry Programme Director, where the team he led won a University Teaching Excellence Award (2021). He is currently responsible for leading on the adaptation of the Manchester Programme to the new GOC requirements. His main research interest is optometric education, with a particular focus on assessing clinical competence, team based learning and preparing students for AI assisted decision making. 

Will is immediate past Chair of the Optometry Schools Council  and was a member of the GOC Expert Advisory Group for the 2021 Outcomes and Standards for UK Optometry. He is a past member of the editorial board of Optometry in Practice where he co-edited a special issue on optometry education. He is currently sits on the Association of Optometrists Council as an Academic Member, Co-Chairs the Optical Confederation Education Forum and is a Deputy Chair for the QAA Review of the Optometry Benchmark Statement. 

Current Teaching 

Optometric Examination A Early Years Clinical Skills 

Personal & Professional Development C Legal and Professional Elements of Optometry

Problem Based Learning Case Facilitator for 2nd year of Manchester MBChB

Assessment of Clinical Competence 

Entrustable Professional Activities 

Team Based Learning 

Student preparedness for AI assisted practise

GOC Registered Optometrist 

Member of The College of Optometrists

Member of the Academy of Medical Educators 

Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 

Member of the Association of Optometrists