Creating a community of learning

Published: 30 August 2017 Ezine

A team of three radiography academics at the University of the West of England, Bristol have been successful in a faculty-wide ‘Learning and Teaching Innovations’ project competition.  

The bid entitled “RADSearch: Creating a Radiography Research Community of Learning” seeks to engage learners at all academic levels to be involved in various aspects of local research activities.  

The successful bid team consists of two radiography doctoral candidates: Simon King, Programme Leader for MSc. Nuclear Medicine and Janice St. John-Matthews, Associate Head of Department (AHP). Supporting them in this project is Dr. Julie Woodley, Senior Lecturer in Diagnostic Imaging and Faculty Chair of Ethics.

The RADSearch bid is inspired by the Society and College of Radiographers Research Strategy 2015-2021,” said Janice St. John-Matthews.

The aim of the project is to foster a research culture across the five radiography programmes delivered at the University. This can be challenging given we have a mixture of full and part-time students across the radiography programmes who also have responsibilities within clinical practice and clinical placements throughout the year.

As a result, the project will draw upon the unique opportunities offered by social media in engaging learners across the programmes.

Simon King added, “Radiography learners graduate with good intentions and fledgling research skills. However, when they join the world of work their role in the research process may not be seen as a priority as they consolidate the skills and knowledge gained during their degree programme.

“We want to use this project to support learners at all levels - foundation degree up to doctoral candidates - and highlight how they can be the enablers in practice to make research happen.”

Dr. Julie Woodley continued, “We want learners to understand that not everyone needs to be a researcher but we all have a role to play whether that be enabling, delivering or disseminating research in our organisations. 

“Our success in this faculty competition will allow us to map the good practice already happening and to develop this by affording the project team time and space for joined up thinking on this important area of radiography practice. 

“We have activities such as monthly “Shut Up and Write” sessions, journal clubs and a research buddying scheme planned. A new blog and twitter account is due to launch in the coming months, so watch this space”