An Academic Career in Education Professor Jenny Higham

An Academic Career in Education Professor Jenny Higham Head of Undergraduate Medicine

Those who can do; Those who can’t teach. Rubbish!

Education • From the Latin e-ducere meaning "to lead out”. • The Greeks thought of teachers as leaders in society. The people charged with the formation of the future generations.

Academic Health Science Centre Mission: to lead the world in improving human health to be universally recognised as one of the world's top academic health centres By providing world-class healthcare through excellence in research, education and training

Other pathway in Walport Academic Training • Same structure & funding as research • Need to demonstrate mastery and academic study • Research / innovation

The purpose of medical training is complex. . • Needs to foster the academic flourishing of its students like any university course Also • Teach specific facts to a certain standard • Teach specific skills to a certain standard • Develop adult learners to a certain standard • Develop attitudes and behaviours to a certain standard

Hallmark of varied professional life… • Increasing role from Senior Lecturer appointment 1997 • • Subject Year Overall E&A HUM

St. Mary’s – Clinical Work

Collaborative research… • Education Based • Science • [Professional activities]

All have a responsibility • NHS • Academic Research • Education Indicators of achievement: - Timetabled teaching activities • All academic staff are normally expected to undertake a minimum of 30 timetabled contact hours active teaching/examining, per year to undergraduate and/or taught postgraduate students registered on Imperial degree courses (excluding delivery of clinical service in the presence of students and supervision of student projects)

Wide variety of activities Internal • Teaching External • Collaboration • Curriculum • Conferences • Assessment • Organisations • QA

Body of Evidence…. . Study • Short Courses • Skills Modules • CASLAT • Certificate • Masters • Ph. D Membership • HEA • ASME • AME • Royal College related

What do you need? Good people skills Team working Enthusiasm – comes by enjoying the subject Develop leadership abilities

What is satisfying? • See a return on a high % of your investments • Working day / week is varied • Continued “progression” post CCT • Colleagues

Any negatives? • Longer training • Competing pressures of Clinical / Research / Administration / RAE • Still need to raise funds / research – less available • Metrics for education less clear than research • Less opportunity for private practice [but higher ACCEA awards? ]

Academic Promotion • Need a portfolio of activities • Imperial ahead of the curve? Domains: • Education • Research • Leadership and Management • Profession and Practice Graded progress - SL / Reader / Professor

Possible at Imperial?

“For me it started with a simple interest in wanting to improve my teaching skills – I enjoying communicating ideas. I then started recognising the diversity of educational roles - assessment, curriculum design etc and realise what a stimulating environment it can be, particularly if combined with clinical work. Academic educationalists have so many questions to answer: how and what we teach our students, and how we should assess them. Getting it right will be positive for the students themselves and for the quality of care they deliver to patients - this seems to me to be at least as worthwhile as other activities”

Pride in Education • Can make a big difference • Teachers have the opportunity to inspire • Personal satisfaction & professional success