The Academy campaigns for the development, protection and promotion of careers for academics in the biomedical sciences and encourages good practice and development.

Our fellows are the UK’s leading medical scientists from hospitals and general practice, academia, industry and the public service. 880 Fellows 509 clinical (58%) and 372 (42%) non-clinical 10 Veterinary scientists Election process overseen by the Registrar Aiming for c 1000

Key objectives: 1.To encourage the pursuit of internationally competitive medical science and the translation of that knowledge, and its associated technologies, from the laboratory bench to the delivery of healthcare. 2.To influence the development and implementation of national policy in matters of medical science and healthcare. 3.To engage with the public to build confidence in the practice of medical research and to address public concerns. 4.To attract and develop the brightest individuals to careers in biomedical science. 5.To contribute to developments and improvements in global health.

Current Policy Projects: Brain Science, Addiction and Drugs. Chairman: Sir Gabriel Horn Correlational/non-experimental methods. Chairman: Sir Michael Rutter Inter-species embryos. Chairman Professor Martin Bobrow. Pandemic influenza. Chairman Sir John Skehel. UK Evaluation Forum. Chairman: Professor Martin Roland. The FORUM symposia on anti-infectives, personalised medicines and drug discovery. New project on Global Health in planning stage

The Academy has two standing committees: 1.Academic Careers Committees (clinical), Chaired by Professor Patrick Sissons FMedSci 2. Academic Careers Committees (non-clinical), Chaired by Professor Keith Gull CBE FRS FMedSci

And, topic specific working groups looking at issues such as: 1.Modernising Medical Careers Inquiry 2.MB PhD Programmes 3.Promoting greater mobility between academe and industry 4.New project - Scoping current and future clinical academic workforce needs across specialties

The Academy also provides direct support: Clinician Scientist Fellowship Scheme The Academy has awarded 10 Fellowships in partnership with The Health Foundation and the Primary Immunodeficiency Association. Following the successful evaluation of the scheme, The Health Foundation has recently committed a further £4,300,000 that will enable the Academy to manage and award up to seven new Clinician Scientist Fellowships in 2008

National Mentoring and Outreach Scheme Nurturing future leaders of academic medicine is one of the Academy’s key objectives. Our mentoring scheme provides direct support to clinical academics in training. The Academy’s National Mentoring Scheme was established in 2002 and is supported by the Department of Health and the National Institute for Health Research. A successful evaluation in 2006 highlighted the quality and relevance of the scheme.

National Mentoring and Outreach Scheme We offer two models of mentoring support to clinical trainees at different stages of their academic career: 1.One-to-one mentoring for Clinical Lecturers and Clinician Scientist Fellows (post-doctoral researchers) 2.Mentoring Outreach activities for Academic Clinical Fellows, Clinical Training Fellows and MB PhD students (pre-doctoral researchers)

National Outreach Scheme The Academy’s Outreach Scheme is aimed at pre-doctoral researchers. The scheme provides mentoring guidance and networking opportunities for Clinical Training Fellows, Academic Clinical Fellows and MB PhD students. The regional outreach events provide opportunities to learn about establishing effective networks amongst peers/colleagues, about choosing a mentor, and about how to use mentoring as part of career planning and personal development. Outreach events also include inspirational speakers and open debate addressing topical issues.

Outreach Activities include: AMS / MRS Clinical Research Champions Champions are selected from the Academy’s Fellowship of leading medical scientists; their role is to host regional meetings and social events, where trainees and clinical academics will discuss pertinent issues and developments. Current AMS/MRS Clinical Research Champions: Professor John Iredale FMedSci, Edinburgh Professor Fiona Karet FMedSci, Cambridge Professor Micheal Levin FMedSci, London Professor Peter Mathieson FMedSci, Bristol Professor Julian Sampson FMedSci, Cardiff Professor Moira Whyte FMedSci, Sheffield

Outreach Activities also include: Visiting Lecturer Programme Academy Fellows provide inspirational keynote lectures to medical students. Examples include: Professor George Griffin FRCP FMedSci, on the Interaction of TB and HIV at cell, molecular & clinical Levels. Professor Geoffrey Raisman FRS FMedSci, on The broad issue of stem cell biology & the therapeutic potential of stem cells. Professor Stephen O’Rahillly FRS FMedSci, on The biology of obesity and its links to diabetes.

One-to-one Mentoring For post-doctoral researchers one-to-one mentoring is provided. Clinician Scientist Fellows and Clinical Lecturers are given the opportunity to be mentored by a senior colleague from the Academy Fellowship for the term of their funded research project. Clinician Scientists and Clinical Lecturers are invited to select their own mentor from the Fellowship, and the mentor-mentee relationships are established with the agreement of both parties. Fellows of the Academy give their time on a voluntary basis and are able to offer insights, share experiences and provide support but mentors have no formal responsibility for ensuring the success of the training programme. The scheme is not intended to replace good supervisory processes.

Careers Website: The website acts as a portal to information and useful links for anyone considering or pursuing a career in any area of biomedical science.

Resources The Academy has collated a number of tools and resources to assist mentors and mentees in the development of effective mentoring relationships. These can be downloaded from the website ( and explored in greater detail at a Mentoring Workshop or Outreach Event. The Academy’s Mentoring and Outreach Officer can provide further details of upcoming events and is available to offer support and guidance if you are having difficulties.