SoR seeks academic and practice educator case studies

The Society of Radiographers is calling upon members to help spotlight the vital role of radiography academics and practice educators in service delivery and person-centred care.

Academics and practice educators contribute to the advancement of the entire profession through their role in the education, training and development of the radiography workforce and through engagement in research, a spokesperson for the SoR said.

Radiography academics and practice educators are now being asked to share their career journey to raise awareness of their roles and inspire others to consider a similar path. Those who do so could be featured on the SoR website and used as a case study in promotion of the Education and Career Framework (ECF).

Education and Career Framework

The ECF provides guidance for the education and career development of the radiography profession. Its overarching aim is to support improved outcomes for patients through the education, training and development of the radiography workforce.

Its fourth edition was published in November 2022 in the form of a digital interactive document featuring case studies from individuals across all levels of the profession. 

It is intended to be used by the entire imaging and therapeutic radiography workforce – as a supportive guide for all members of the workforce when planning their career development, as a tool to support education providers to design effective programmes, and in supporting service managers responsible for workforce planning to introduce new roles in their departments.

The key role of radiography academics and practice educators

Kathryn Williamson, professional officer of Education and Accreditation and project lead, said: “It has always been our intention to build on the publication of the ECF and the recent funding received from the Workforce Training and Education Directorate NHS England has enabled us to do this. 

“This includes building a repository of case studies, in addition to those written and recorded case studies from SoR members across all roles and levels of practice as published within the document itself. 

“We recognise the challenge of needing to grow workforce numbers and retain staff and academics and practice educators play a key part in these things through the development and delivery of quality education and training pathways and career development opportunities.”

Awareness and understanding

Members interested in contributing can provide an overview of their journey via the case study proforma, with a maximum of 2,500 words.

Completed proformas should be sent to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 11 October with ‘ECF Case Study-your name’ in the subject line. Find the download link for the proforma here.

Case studies will be selected based on how well they demonstrate alignment with the corresponding expectations associated with the role as detailed within the ECF, in addition to their overall quality and content. Case studies should be written with the main objectives of promoting awareness and understanding of your role and to inspire others along a similar career path.

For help drafting a successful case study, please refer to our supporting guidance which can be found on page three of the form.

This work has been commissioned by the Society of Radiographers with funding from the Workforce Training and Education Directorate NHS England.

(Image: Kathryn Williamson)