Speakers

Amy has over 20 years' experience across both health and education sectors. Following qualification from Lancaster, Amy worked as a Radiographer within the NHS. She joined the independent sector in 2006 working on early mobile PET and then PET-CT units. In 2010 Amy took up a post in Higher Education as a Lecturer, subsequently moving into a quality and governance position. In 2022, Amy joined the Education team at the Society and College of Radiographers. She is responsible for supporting the educational needs of the workforce through the programmes of education the College approve, and individuals they accredit, to maintain and continue to develop world leading standards of professional practice and patient care in Radiography. Amy has published widely in both health and education journals, disseminating research nationally and internationally. Her research interests include signature pedagogies, storytelling in healthcare, online learning, curriculum design and frameworks.

Dr Emma Hyde is a HCPC registered diagnostic radiographer with 10 years’ experience in clinical practice, and 19 years’ experience in higher education. During her years in higher education Emma led on a number of education and research projects and initiatives, the impact of which were recognised when she was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship by Advance HE in 2020. Emma joined the Society & College of Radiographers as Head of Education & Research in April 2025. As part of her role, Emma oversees the College’s programme approvals processes, the College of Radiographers Industry Partnership (CoRIPS) research funding schemes and the Formal Radiography Research Mentoring (FoRRM) scheme.

Laura is a Professional Officer at the College of Radiographers, where she supports the advancement of the radiography profession through a focus on education and professional development. She previously worked as Head of Health Research at a UK Think Tank, where she led policy-oriented research centred on empowering people and communities. Laura has held academic appointments including Associate Professor at the University of Lincoln, where she contributed to education across the Allied Health Professions. Her academic roles also include Sheffield Hallam University where she worked as lecturer and senior lecturer, and a number of commissioned projects relating to education through Health Education England. Laura has contributed to national strategy during her time with Public Health England and Cancer Research UK. As a registered Therapeutic Radiographer with the Health and Care Professions Council, Laura maintains her links with Radiography practice through education and research. She completed her PhD in 2024 with a thesis entitled Enabling Coping in People Living with Cancer and Severe Mental Illness, highlighting her commitment to addressing health inequalities and improving outcomes for underserved populations. Alongside her role at the College of Radiographers, Laura also works as Health Services Research Fellow at York St John University.

Ed has been Chief Executive Council of Deans of Health, the representative group of strategic academic leaders in UK health education, since July 2023. He was previously Director of Insight and Engagement at Research England, part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), with responsibility for stakeholder engagement with the HE sector across England. Ed spent over 15 years at the Higher Education Funding Council for England in senior roles including as Manager of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise across the UK, Regional Consultant for the South East region, and Head of Health and Medicine, leading work on the expansion of medical schools. He moved to the Office for Students in 2018 and as Head of Health and Medicine policy led interventions to increase awareness of Allied Health Professions and support student recruitment and retention across nursing, midwifery and allied health (the Strategic Interventions in Health Education Disciplines programme).

Dr Amy Hancock is the Director of Medical Imaging at the University of Exeter. A Therapeutic Radiographer by profession, she has extensive experience across clinical, academic, and research settings. She has held key roles including Principal Therapeutic Radiographer for Research and Development at Weston Park Cancer Centre and Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. Her research focuses on improving patient care through meaningful patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in education, research, and service delivery. Amy's PhD, funded by the College of Radiographers (CoR), used co-production to explore compassionate care in radiotherapy. She is an Associate Editor for Radiography Journal, a member of the CoR Research Group, and a research mentor for NIHR and CoR and is currently UKIO President Elect. She is currently co-leading the PPIE and qualitative components of the £3.3 million NIHR-funded TOURIST trial, ensuring that patient voices shape the future of palliative radiotherapy research.

Gemma Burke is the Associate Head of School at Sheffield Hallam University, where she holds the position of Professional Lead for Radiotherapy & Oncology and Diagnostic Imaging. With a rich background in both clinical practice and academia, Gemma has been instrumental in shaping the educational and research portfolios at the university. Her strategic leadership roles involve enhancing education, research, and clinical practice, as well as supporting professional development and health and wellbeing initiatives. Gemma’s clinical expertise spans gynaecological cancer, brachytherapy, and the management of radiotherapy-induced skin reactions. Her academic contributions include being the course leader for various postgraduate programs and leading quality and assessment initiatives. Gemma’s dedication to the field of radiography is evident in her active participation in professional and academic forums, where she shares insights and encourages collaboration to improve patient care and education in the field.

Katie Cooper is NHS England's Head of Multi-professional Advanced practice. Katie comes from a clinical background having worked at an advanced and consultant level as a therapeutic radiographer specialising in gynaecological and prostate cancer, and prior to her current post worked in the East of England as the Faculty Lead for Advancing Practice. Currently Katie is developing and influencing national strategies, supporting the growth and development, and demonstrating the impact the advanced and consultant level workforce has on service and workforce transformation, and aligning to the key government shifts. As well as developing minimum standards of governance that enable practitioners to provide high quality, safe effective care to patients and their families, she continues to work with regional faculties, Providers and HEI in identifying and implementing Area specific capabilities to support the development of advanced practitioners that meet the evolving needs of our services and patients.

Melanie holds the role of Programme Lead for the accredited MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Radiotherapy and Oncology, as well as the PGC Enhanced Level Practice in Radiotherapy and Oncology at Sheffield Hallam University. An active leader in advancing practice education in radiography, Melanie has been involved in a number of projects supporting the development of postgraduate education.

Ruth is Head of Allied Health Professions and Professor in Diagnostic Radiography in the School of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Suffolk. Ruth is a Diagnostic Radiographer by background. She has been a Lecturer since 2003, and before that worked as Clinical Lecturer at The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and as a Diagnostic Radiographer at The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust. Ruth completed her professional doctorate in 2011 entitled 'An ethnographic study of the culture in a Diagnostic Imaging Department'. She continues to be research active and her funded research focuses on radiography professional practice and education, and on service evaluation.

With over 25 years of experience as a Physiotherapist across the NHS, private sector, and military services, Rekel has consistently championed equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) across healthcare systems. Driven by a deep commitment to tackling the impact of racism on staff wellbeing and promote health equity Rekel invests his time in supporting others to deliver improvements to their services and communities. Between 2020 and 2202 Rekel led a national project focused on post-COVID recovery ensuring health inequalities were not exacerbated across paediatric hospitals in England. His commitment to justice in healthcare delivery has earned him both local and national recognition. In June 2025, his contributions were nationally acknowledged with an invitation to 10 Downing Street by the Prime Minister to participate in the Windrush celebrations.