Indian radiographers group hosts first International Radiographers Conference in the UK
With more than 140 attendees making the trip to join the inaugural event, the conference organised by the Professional Alliance of Indian Radiographers was a roaring success
Indian radiographers group hosts first International Radiographers Conference in the UK
With more than 140 attendees making the trip to join the inaugural event, the conference organised by the Professional Alliance of Indian Radiographers was a roaring success
The Professional Alliance of Indian Radiographers (PAIR), a special interest group under the Society of Radiographers (SoR), came into being early last year with a vision to support internationally educated radiographers across the UK and hasn’t looked back since. In a short time, PAIR has rolled out an engaging series of webinars under its Resonate with PAIR lectures and established a strong presence on social media, including LinkedIn, rapidly becoming a vibrant community and voice for radiographers with diverse backgrounds. Building on this momentum, PAIR successfully held its inaugural International Radiographers Conference (IRC 2025) on 5 July at Apollo Buckingham Health Campus in Crewe. The event, themed ‘Building Bridges in Radiology: Learn | Network | Thrive’ welcomed more than 140 attendees from across the UK, spanning general radiography, CT, MRI, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and ultrasound. It provided an inspiring platform for internationally educated radiographers to connect, share experiences and explore opportunities for growth.
The conference was inaugurated virtually by Ashford MP Sojan Joseph. Richard Evans, CEO of the SoR, and Dr Napapong Pongnapang, president of the ISRRT, delivered compelling keynote addresses that set the tone for a day of meaningful dialogue and reflection.
A rich programme followed, featuring Dean Rogers, executive director of industrial strategy and member relations at the SoR, who spoke on partnerships, progress and practical skills for international radiographers. Epiphania Muranda, advanced practice radiographer and clinical lead in interventional radiology, shared insights on culturally informed mental health support, while Deepak Agnihotri, director of allied health professionals, explored pathways beyond clinical practice. Malany Kalicharan, programme manager at Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland ICB, offered a personal perspective on the resilience required to thrive in a new healthcare system. Meanwhile, Jan Alappadan Paul, research radiographer at the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, discussed research pathways and the evolving role of radiographers, and Prabha Vijayakumar, chief AHP information officer at NHS England, highlighted the impact of digital transformation on allied health professionals.
The programme also delved into innovation, with Shamie Kumar, senior director at Qure.AI, examining the role of AI in lung cancer care. Afra Sulfikher, pan-trust CT service lead at United Lincolnshire Hospitals, addressed the risks posed by communication gaps in cross-sectional imaging, and Dolly Cox, senior lecturer and superintendent radiographer, presented on bespoke training packages for internationally educated radiographers.
The day concluded with the announcement of PAIR’s newly appointed 25-member council, which will shape future initiatives. Under the leadership of Rajesh Kesavan (chairman), Bosco Antony (vice chairman) and Noyal Mathew (head of education and professional development), PAIR continues to champion internationally educated radiographers through its Resonate with PAIR lecture series and active online community.
PAIR IRC2025 organising committee with Dean Rogers from the SoR
PAIR IRC2025 organising committee with Dean Rogers from the SoR
More about PAIR SIG
PAIR extends heartfelt thanks to all who attended and contributed to making the event such a success. Special appreciation goes to the main sponsor, Idealistic Financial Services, whose generous support helped bring this vision to life. PAIR also wishes to recognise and thank all its dedicated board members whose hard work and commitment were instrumental in shaping this landmark event. Excitingly, plans for IRC 2026 are already underway, promising to build on this year’s momentum and continue strengthening bridges across the profession.
Radiographers interested in joining this growing community are encouraged to visit PAIR’s special interest group page via the SoR website or connect directly at britishassociationofindianrad@gmail.com
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