Dr Sara Namvar
University of Salford, UK
Dr David Greensmith
University of Salford, UK
Dr Matthew Jones
University of Salford, UK
Current Challenges, Innovative Practice and Student Experience in Physiology Education
The higher education sector is rapidly evolving. As such, universities must pay far greater attention to performance and metrics in areas such as widening participation, student experience and graduate outcomes. The role of the physiology educator therefore goes far beyond the information we convey in the lecture theatre and laboratory setting, and we are in fact key actors in the sector’s response to societal challenges.
The aim of this meeting is to bring together physiology educators and industry stakeholders of all career stages and across a broad range of fields, to share innovation and best practice. The programme covers four key themes:
- Graduate Capital and Industry Engagement in Physiology Education.
- Improving Physiology Education Through Playful Learning and Authentic Assessment.
- Enhancing Local and Global Access to Physiology Education.
- Resilience and Adaptability in a Changing Landscape of Higher Education
Spaces are limited and it will not be possible to register once the event is fully booked. Registration may close early if the event reaches capacity.
This meeting is supported by LearnSci, and AD Instruments, as well as the University of Salford, the University of Manchester, and Manchester Metropolitan University in line with the aims of the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement.
09:45 SA01 Practical examples of building graduate capital and project co-creation: Towards improved employability
Dr Sara Namvar, University of Salford, UK
10:15 Panel Discussion: Breaking silos! How can industry, educational institutions, and career services collaborate to build work-ready graduates?
Panellists:
- Gareth Richardson, Greater Manchester Imaging and Pathology Network, UK
- Professor Derek Scott, University of Aberdeen, UK
- Ian Boardman, University of Salford, UK
11:15 C01 Virtual reality blood identification. An immersive introduction to blood transfusion
Alison Hines, NHS Blood and Transplant, UK
11:30 C02 Creating Change Makers: The challenges and opportunities afforded by capstone projects
Dr David Lewis, University of Leeds, UK
11:45 C03 Are paramedic students able to meet the NICE CG109 recommendations for identification of ECG abnormalities requiring onwards referral in patients who experience transient loss of consciousness?
Dr Harry Witchel, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK
12:00 C04 Three years of boosting student employability through SciComm summer
Dr Harley Stevenson-Cocks, Newcastle University, UK
13:15 Unlocking learning: Using escape games in the classroom
Liz Cable, Leeds Trinity University, UK
14:00 SA02 Create your own card game to enhance student engagement
Roger Saunders, De Montfort University, UK
15:15 SA03 Using authentic learning experiences and simulations to enhance employability
Tahmina Hussain, University of Salford, UK
15:45 SA04 Enhancing employability: The value of both embedded and extracurricular skills development programmes
Dr Lisa Coulthwaite, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
16:15 C05 Use of Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE’s) to assess physiology student practical skills and professional competencies
Professor Derek Scott, University of Aberdeen, UK
16:30 C06 What volume is Ryan Reynolds? Teaching integrative physiology through film
Professor Áine Kelly, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
16 :45 C07 Technology-enhanced learning in physiology through digital game-based non-linear storytelling
Dr Christina Elliott, Newcastle University, UK
17 :00 C08 “Once upon a time…….”: Bringing the workplace to the lecture theatre through immersive storytelling
Dr Liam Bagley, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
09:30 The education journey: successes and challenges in diversity and inclusion
Dr Joanne Pennock, University of Manchester, UK
10:00 SA05 Embracing diversity: Increasing diversity in our student population and offering opportunities in the curriculum to share and learn from (their) different perspectives through local and global challenges
Professor Charlotte Haigh, University of Leeds, UK
11:00 C09 Assessment of Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) on first year undergraduate attitudes to statistics
Dr Jenny Brignell, University of Nottingham, UK
11:15 C10 Evaluation of authentic learning in team-based learning within a large class setting
Dr Chinedu Agwu, Brunel University, UK
11:30 C11 An interactive self-guided tutorial on scientific writing for first year students
Professor Frances MacMillan, University of Bristol, UK
11:45 C12 Harnessing Physiology to increase awareness of SDGs and EDI in the lives and learning of undergraduate science students
Dr Mary McGahon, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
12:00 C13 Creating global change makers: Inclusive, culturally immersive, transformative education for sustainable development learning experiences
Dr Alexandra Holmes, University of Leeds, UK
13:15 Panel Discussion: Addressing the evolving challenges in higher education and formulating our strategic response: A senior leadership conversation
Pannellists:
- Professor Claire Hamshire, University of Salford, UK
- Professor Carol Ainley, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- Professor Adam Danquah, University of Manchester, UK
- Neil Withnell, University of Salford, UK
14:00 C14 Enhancing learning experiences of first-year sport, exercise and health science and physiotherapy students through a field-based, residential outdoor education practicum
Dr Rebekah Lucas, University of Birmingham, UK
14:15 C15 Can AI tools be used to support academic writing?
Dr Catriona Cunningham, University of Aberdeen, UK
14:30 C16 Decoding the use of generative AI in higher education assessments: Understanding student utilisation
Dr Tom Gurney, University College London, UK
14:45 C17 Enhancing belonging with programme-level synoptic assessment
Dr Clare Tweedy, University of Leeds, UK
15:30 SA06 Old dogs and new tricks: Teaching bioscientists to embrace change
Dr Matthew Hardy, University of Bradford, UK
Registration
Registration is now closed.
Before registering, please read our event terms and conditions.
PLEASE NOTE that meat will not be provided at lunchtime unless specially requested by contacting the events team. All food will be vegetarian in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of our conferences.
| Early registration rate until 19 April 2024 | Standard registration rate until 1 May 2024 | |
| Undergraduate & Master’s member | £45.00 | £85.00 |
| Postgraduate member | £45.00 | £85.00 |
| Full member (concessionary) * | £45.00 | £85.00 |
| Full member | £90.00 | £130.00 |
| Fellow member | £90.00 | £130.00 |
| Honorary Fellow | £90.00 | £130.00 |
| Retired member | £45.00 | £85.00 |
| Non-member | £110.00 | £150.00 |
| ECR Non-member * | £65.00 | £105.00 |
*please email events@physoc.org for the discount code
Please note, Full Member (concessionary) refers to those who have Full Membership at the reduced rate.
Member registration
In order to register as a member, you first need to log in with username and password. The system will default to the correct fee for your membership category.
Should you have any queries, please email events@physoc.org
Non-member registration
In order to register as a non-member you need to create a guest account.
By joining as a member, you will benefit from reduced registration and other key member benefits including:
- Free online access to The Society’s three world-class journals
- Free or discounted registration for Society events
- Eligibility for Society’s grant schemes
To find out more about membership with The Society, please click here or email membership@physoc.org
Applying for a visa
Do you need a visa to be able to participate in the meeting?
To check whether you need a visa to be able to attend, please click here
For more detailed information, application forms and guidance notes, please visit the official UK visa website.
It is recommended that you apply for your visa well in advance (at least 12 weeks before the meeting) as applications for UK visas in certain countries can take longer than expected. Attendees are requested that they book early enough and apply for a visa with sufficient time prior to the conference.
The conference organisers cannot be held responsible if delegates do not receive their visas in time, and the cancellation policy will automatically apply. Every effort will be made to support genuine applications. The conference organisers are happy to provide you with documentation to support your application which will be sent as a PDF attachment. If you require a hard copy to be sent to you, please include your mailing (postal) address. The Physiological Society will only send via regular post.
Documentation to support visa applications will only be provided to those attendees who have registered to attend.
Please complete the webform below, and attach confirmation of your registration, and submitted abstract (if appropriate).
Supporting documentation will be distributed within 10 working days – it is the responsibility of the attendee to allow sufficient time for processing.
Please note that The Society are not involved with and cannot influence consular decisions.
Click here for the visa supporting documents form
Abstracts
Abstract submission is now closed. Thank you to all who have submitted their work for consideration. Our review process is underway, and accepted authors will be notified in due course.
In the meantime, please view our oral and poster presentation guidelines in preparation for the meeting and make sure to register for the conference to join the discussions, network with peers, and expand your knowledge with the latest advancements in the field.
Key Information
Key dates
| Registration opens | 10 January 2024 |
| Abstract submission opens | 15 February 2024 |
| Conference Attendance Award deadline | 29 February 2024 |
| Abstract submission closes | 15 March 2024 |
| Abstract decisions issued | 5 April 2024 |
| Early registration deadline | 19 April 2024 |
| Registration deadline | 01 May 2024 |
| Meeting dates | 15 – 16 May 2024 |
Venue
The meeting will take place in the Science, Engineering & Environment Building of the University of Salford, the address is:
Science, Engineering & Environment Building
University of Salford
University Road
Salford
M5 4QJ
Below are directions to the campus. The conference venue is building a on the university campus map.
Travel
By train
The building is a 5 minute walk from Salford Crescent Station which can be easily reached from Manchester Piccadilly rail station.
Plan your journey here.
Walking directions from Salford Crescent station can be found here.
By air
Salford is served by Manchester International Airport
Accommodation
We do not have a specific conference hotel so attendees are able to choose accommodation which meets their needs and budgets. The following hotels are within walking distance of the venue:
Support to Attend
The grants below support attendance at our events.
Grants for Carers
We care because you do. We are aware that many of our members have caring responsibilities or need care. We have funds allocated to help you with care costs to facilitate your attendance at meetings.
Conference Attendance Award
Up to £375 for the support of member engagement at our own meetings. The deadline for this meeting is 29 February 2024.
Partner with Us
Partnering with us provides you with the ideal platform to highlight your brand, products and services to our members and the broader physiology community of researchers and educators.
In addition, attending our conferences also gives you an invaluable opportunity to network with influential scientists from around the UK, Europe and further afield.
All external funding is used to support the scientific community by keeping event registration fees at an affordable level and to achieve the charitable aims of The Society.
Partner Packages
Opportunities range from a standard tabletop exhibition space, to more comprehensive sponsorship packages, including advertising, session sponsorship and speaking slots at the meeting.
To discuss your requirements in more detail and build a package that suits you, contact us today at events@physoc.org