Achieving Excellence: Reflections from the Society of Radiographers Education and Research Conference 2025

By Tom Welton, SoR immediate past president, lead practice educator for diagnostic radiology at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

By Tom Welton, SoR immediate past president, lead practice educator for diagnostic radiology at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

Educators from across the UK gathered in Birmingham in November for the Society of Radiographers’ Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research 2025 conference. Taking place on 26-27 November in Birmingham and featuring keynotes, workshops and networking, the event reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, reflection and forward thinking within radiography education.

Behind the lens

This year, I attended the conference wearing two hats: that of a practice educator and, at the society’s request, as a special correspondent and photographer. It was a role I gladly accepted.

Viewing the conference through a camera lens offered a fresh perspective. Beyond capturing the impressive line-up of speakers, it enabled me to observe the energy in the room – the conversations between sessions, the moments of reflection and the collective enthusiasm of a radiography education workforce eager to connect, network and develop.

The annual Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research brings together those helping to train future radiographers the next generation

Day one: setting the tone

As expected from a Society of Radiographers-led event, day one began at pace. Whether fuelled by the excellent pastries, strong coffee or simply the buzz of a passionate professional community, the atmosphere was unmistakably energised.

Professor Ruth Strudwick from the University of Suffolk has become synonymous with this conference, and once again delivered a stellar agenda featuring industry leaders, field experts and engaging interactive sessions. While the seamless delivery may make it appear effortless, those in attendance recognise the significant work involved in curating such a programme. Credit is certainly due.

The opening keynote was delivered by Ed Hughes, chief executive officer of the Council of Deans of Health. Titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare Education’, his presentation struck a careful balance – at times sobering, yet ultimately optimistic, setting exactly the right tone for the conference. His realistic and forward-looking view of healthcare education resonated strongly with the audience.

What followed was a true ‘who’s who’ of professional expertise. Contributions from Gemma Burke and the Society and College of Radiographers’ own Dr Amy Robertson, alongside Dr Laura Charlesworth and Dr Emma Hyde, blended well-structured discussion with active audience participation, ensuring engagement remained high throughout the morning.

A moment of reflection

After lunch, the room fell noticeably quiet as Rekel Kerr, head of physiotherapy at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, delivered an eloquent and powerful keynote on anti-racism and the importance of collaboration. The audience hung on every word. His address reinforced the collective responsibility within the profession to challenge poor attitudes and behaviours at a grassroots level, prompting thoughtful reflection across the room.

The day concluded with a second keynote that neatly bookended the programme. Katie Cooper, head of multi-professional advanced practice at NHS England, outlined her national role and presented the roadmap for enhanced and advanced practice within the radiographic profession. Her session offered both clarity and direction, reinforcing the profession’s evolving landscape.

Keynote speaker Rekel Kerr, head of physiotherapy at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Day two: from reflection to action

Day two began at a slightly more subdued pace. Whether this was down to the weight of ideas generated on day one, or the effectiveness of the previous evening’s networking, is open to interpretation. Regardless, the programme promised no less impact.

The morning keynote from Mel Clarkson focused on the enablers and barriers to implementing education and training for advancing practice and post-education provision. Picking up seamlessly from the themes introduced the day before, the session highlighted the importance of career-long learning and continuous professional development – particularly pertinent during a Health and Care Professions Council audit year.

The remainder of the day featured a series of proffered papers and workshops, delivered in a quickfire format that showcased the breadth of innovative and positive work taking place across the UK. Early-career radiographers stood confidently alongside more established names, with each contribution fuelling discussion well beyond the session itself.

Looking to the future

Following lunch, a dynamic and highly interactive workshop led by SoR officers Dr Amy Robertson and Dr Laura Charlesworth encouraged table-top discussion focused on developing a capable and thriving workforce for the 21st century.

The conference closed with a fitting final keynote from Professor Ruth Strudwick, addressing the timely and thought-provoking topic of ‘Professionalism in Students’. Exploring generational differences, resistance to change and the challenges of evolution within the profession, her session brought together the themes of the previous two days. Discussions around professionalism, four generations working side by side and the emerging influence of artificial intelligence felt particularly relevant to the current state of radiography.

A conference that matters

Ultimately, this was a must-attend event for anyone involved in education. If we do not invest in and support the next generation, we must ask ourselves what we are working towards. Conferences like this one – bringing people together in rooms like the one in Birmingham – keep networks inspired, reflective and ready to evolve curricula and structures to meet the changing demands of healthcare.

I am already looking forward to 2026. My thanks go once again to Professor Ruth Strudwick, her organising committee, the Society of Radiographers’ conference and events team – particularly Kelly Ahearn and Claire Brown – and all those who attended. Bringing so many inspiring individuals together in one space is enough to make even the most hardened cynic see beyond the clouds.

More about Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research

Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research is an annual two-day conference organised by the Society and College of Radiographers.

Targeted at those who work in radiography education, in the practice setting or in a higher education institution, the event offers expert sessions and networking opportunities.

Visit https://www.sor.org/events for more Society of Radiographers-run conferences.

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