Eight postgraduate students at Hull York Medical School are the first to be awarded Advance HE Fellowship through completion of two accredited modules, based at the University of Hull. These modules have been developed to align with the Professional Standards Framework (PSF2023) and ran together for the first time in 2024-25.
The MSc Clinical Anatomy (and Education) programme is attended by students with a wide range of backgrounds in anatomy, medicine and related professions, who are united by their interest in clinical anatomy and anatomy education. This includes BSc graduates, qualified clinicians, intercalating medical students (who take official leave of absence from their studies to complete a 1-year BSc or MSc programme) and allied health professionals, such as nurses, physiotherapists and chiropractors.
A tailored approach to professional development
The students first completed the Professional Practice in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education module, which is accredited to Associate Fellowship. This module is run by the University of Hull and open to students engaged in a range of postgraduate research programmes, and to staff who have teaching support responsibilities commensurate with Associate Fellowship. Clinical Anatomy students completing this module then progressed to the Professional Practice in Anatomy Education module, which was developed specifically for students on this programme at Hull York Medical School. They were supported to develop their teaching practice throughout the programme, gaining experience and confidence as reflective practitioners in line with the expectations of an Advance HE Fellow.
Dr Paul McKeegan, Senior Fellow (Programme Director), who co-developed the Professional Practice in Anatomy Education module said: “Our team developed this module in response to feedback from previous MSc students, who were keen to develop their professional practice towards Fellowship. This cohort's commitment to inclusive practice and enthusiasm for teaching and supporting students has been both impressive and inspiring. We fully expect our graduates and new Fellows to go on to educate and inspire others in anatomical, medical and health education.”
Real-world teaching experience in specialised environments
Examples of teaching practice on the Professional Practice in Anatomy Education module included face-to-face and recorded lectures; designing and leading workshops and practical sessions in anatomy and physiology; and exam-based assessment design and standard setting. Participants taught several undergraduate and postgraduate student groups in healthcare-related programmes including medicine, physician associate studies, paramedic science and sports rehabilitation.
“I really liked the opportunity to teach different sessions and push myself out of my comfort zone… It allowed me to try out new things I've never tried before with a group of students in a really safe environment where you know you have support from [the module team].” Lara Lewis, Advance HE Fellow, MSc Clinical Anatomy and Education
The module participants were supported by a team of Senior Fellows with extensive experience and training in anatomy and physiology education across medical education and other HE programmes. Across a series of workshops, Dr Lauren Clunie, Senior Fellow, (Senior Lecturer in Clinical Anatomy) provided training in educational approaches and governance specific to anatomy education. She said:
“As someone passionate about anatomy education, it’s exciting to work on this unique, discipline-specific route to Fellowship. The intellectual and critical discussions with this year’s cohort not only challenged us to reflect deeply on our own teaching practice, but also inspired tangible changes that will enhance anatomy learning for our students.”
Building confidence through peer support and reflection
Unlike most higher education professional development courses, which take a broad approach to teaching practice, this module is rooted entirely in the realities of anatomy education - a discipline where learning takes place in specialist environments, and carries distinct ethical, professional and emotional considerations. Module workshops explore how to design and deliver sessions using human donor material within the anatomy lab setting. This requires not only subject expertise but also the ability to plan learning that prepares diverse groups of learners for the emotional impact of working with the human body, equipping them with strategies to manage challenging experiences while still achieving intended learning outcomes.
Peer observation proved to be a particularly powerful tool in this process - providing not just a formal record of practice, but also a fresh lens through which to reflect. Observing colleagues in action, and receiving constructive feedback in return, gave module participants the confidence to identify strengths they might otherwise overlook, and the insight to refine areas needing development.
“I appreciated having observations of our teaching sessions and getting feedback. It was really helpful in terms of seeing how I was doing with teaching, but also seeing what else I could add to my practice through observing other people's teaching sessions.” Grace Abraham, Advance HE Fellow, MSc Clinical Anatomy
This reciprocal exchange enriched the cohort’s Fellowship applications and fostered a strong sense of community among the group.
By combining the specialist challenges of anatomy education with reflective, evidence-based practice, this module offered participants a rare opportunity to gain Fellowship recognition in a way that truly reflected their discipline. It stands as a model for how sector-wide standards can be meaningfully applied in a discipline-specific manner.
Find out more about MSc Clinical Anatomy (and Education) at Hull York Medical School.
Dr Lauren Clunie, Senior Fellow, is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Anatomy at Hull York Medical School. Lauren co-developed and leads the Professional Practice in Anatomy Education module.
Dr Paul McKeegan, Senior Fellow, is the programme director for MSc Clinical Anatomy (and Education) and a lecturer in Human Physiology at Hull York Medical School. Paul co-developed and co-leads the Professional Practice in Anatomy Education module.
Dr Kat Sanders, Senior Fellow, co-developed the Professional Practice in Anatomy Education module, and is now Associate Professor in Anatomy at the University of Sydney.