‘I knew we’d form a good connection’

Hannah Bown, lead interventional radiographer at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, shares how she found the mentoring experience from the perspective of a mentee.

Hannah was new to her managerial role at the beginning of the scheme, and found opportunities for leadership development were “often scarce” – and where they did exist, departments “commonly undervalue and underinvest” in them.

“When I discovered the scheme, I knew I needed to embrace this unique opportunity,” she says. “It was a great chance to develop myself and network with other professionals. But I was apprehensive of what lay ahead – I enjoyed my comfort zone. Stepping out of it and into the unknown was intimidating.”

Luckily, Hannah found that many of her concerns were unfounded. She explains that through a “crazy, radiographic speed-dating game” she was paired with her mentor, Kerry Mills, national strategic education lead for cancer and diagnostic programme in the Workforce Training and Education directorate at NHS England. “I immediately knew Kerry and I would form a good connection,” says Hannah.

“Our journey started full of enthusiasm and I achieved a lot – but we strayed away from some of our set goals. I only realised this when reviewing job specs for a role I didn’t actually want to apply for. I reflected on it, and decided to bring it to Kerry’s attention.

“Testament to the respectful and strong connection we had developed, this conversation was one of the most valuable and constructive we had had. A lightbulb moment occurred.”

Thanks to her decision to be open and honest about her goals with the mentoring scheme, Hannah was able to redirect the mentorship towards dealing with professional challenges she was already facing, rather than aspirations towards heights she was not as interested in. “We’re constantly tweaking our objectives, and some of our sessions are challenging,” Hannah admits. “Kerry doesn’t always give me the answers I want, but she gives me a safe space where I can verbalise my thoughts, work through problems, be challenged and feel supported. 

“Kerry identified that in many ways it is not my ability but my self confidence that holds me back. I struggle to see my own worth because I have a really loud inner critic that causes me to constantly question myself. Together, we are slowly developing strategies to help challenge my own narrative and combat the imposter phenomenon.”

Research

The FoRRM scheme is now in its fourth year, after it was first conceived 15 years ago by Dr Christina Malamateniou, associate professor for the School of Health and Medical Sciences at City St George’s University of London.

She explains that it had been in development between 2004 and 2015, when doctorate degrees and research pathways for radiographers were “scarce”. “There were very few radiographers with a PhD degree and many radiographers were supervised by professionals in other disciplines such as medicine or physics/engineering,” says Christina. “Despite their best of intentions and their expert knowledge in their respective fields, which helped advance the research projects, these research supervisors, or others who managed radiographers in their doctorates, did not know (how could they possibly know?) how to carve out a path for research radiographers.”

Christina says she too had struggled with the decision of whether to abandon radiography research – until she decided, with access to a role model, a mentor, she could find the sense of direction and professional identity she craved.

It took another 11 years before Christina shared her thoughts with Dr Charlotte Beardmore, executive director of professional policy for the SoR, Dr Rachel Harris, head of professional practice and education, and Dr Heidi Probst, professor of radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam University. In January 2017, the first Formal Radiography Research Mentoring scheme materialised, with the first cohort of 10 mentees and 10 mentors.

“Deep inside me, I still hope there are now fewer aspiring radiography researchers who will feel the isolation and despair I felt back then, and more of them who feel genuinely enthused about the transformative power of evidence-based practice,” says Christina.

“This is truly a labour of love, which I hope will continue touching the lives of others for many years to come.”

Much like the LMS, FoRRM relies heavily on a team of expert mentors, who are trained in coaching, sign a formal contract with their mentee and set objectives for the year ahead.

FoRRM offers a unique opportunity to build the future research leaders, enhance research capacity, celebrate excellence and effort through its awards, foster collaboration through its networking events, and share this knowledge with others though its regularly updated website.

On completion of last year’s scheme, mentors said the key to the scheme was the importance of adaptability and flexibility. According to the 2023-24 summary report: “Each mentee has unique strengths, areas for improvement and research interests. Mentors have had to tailor their approach to meet their mentees’ specific needs and learning styles. Mentees reflected that without the support of their mentors few of their achievements would have happened.”

‘There are benefits both ways’

Sentiments around the benefits for mentors of undergoing the process are echoed by the other senior research radiographers on the scheme.

Dr Theo Akudjedu, associate professor in clinical imaging at Bournemouth University, reflects on how the mentoring has helped, not only through the support of the training company but in his conversations with his mentee. “I have become a good listener and a coach, which is something I feel like I struggle with sometimes,” he says. “That has been invaluable for my personal development. I really get an in-depth understanding of the current clinical landscape, which I can then translate back into the classroom for my students.”

Dr Amy Hancock, senior lecturer in medical imaging at the University of Exeter, emphasises how her relationship with her mentee developed her approach to mentorship. “There are definitely benefits both ways,” she says. “Being in contact with Katherine [her mentee] keeps me up to date with all the clinical changes.

“It’s really important to invest time at the start, get objectives clear, but don’t be afraid to go back and make changes – that’s not a failure, it’s acknowledging that we’re in a different position and we might need to refresh.”

Dr Benard Ohene-Botwe, senior lecturer in diagnostic radiography at City, University of London, explains that his experience as a mentor in FoRRM has allowed him to expand his network, gain valuable insights into his mentee’s research aspirations and collaborate with them on research projects. “FoRRM is a vital initiative that benefits mentees and mentors alike, serving as a catalyst for research development in radiography,” he concludes. “I highly encourage everyone to participate in this valuable programme.”