1. Walport / Academic Clinical Fellowships – An Insider’s Guide Joanna Dowman Academic Clinical Fellow in Gastroenterology Birmingham

2. Outline What is a Walport / Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF)? What is a Walport / Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF)? Applying for an ACF Applying for an ACF Locations and number of Gastroenterology ACF posts available Locations and number of Gastroenterology ACF posts available Advantages and disadvantages of an ACF Advantages and disadvantages of an ACF How might an ACF influence your career path? How might an ACF influence your career path?

3. What is an Academic Clinical Fellowship? Aimed at specialist trainees who can demonstrate potential as a clinical academic Aimed at specialist trainees who can demonstrate potential as a clinical academic Protected time for research leading to application for PhD / higher degree Protected time for research leading to application for PhD / higher degree Issued with NTN (A) Issued with NTN (A) Duration up to 3 years Duration up to 3 years 75% time in clinical training; 25% in research 75% time in clinical training; 25% in research

4. My ACF – Year 1 Started ACF December 2006 Clinical training in large DGH Usual SpR duties eg. endoscopy, clinics, on-calls 1 day/week in liver research labs Experience of basic lab techniques eg. cell culture, immunohistochemistry, PCR, Western blots

5. ACF - Year 2 Clinical work at QEH Liver Unit 1 week in 4 spent in research Currently working on 2 projects (NASH related) Aim to apply for research training fellowship later this year (Wellcome trust, MRC, CORE) Start PhD next year if successful

6. What if I don’t obtain funding or don’t like research? ACF trainee will rejoin non-academic clinical specialty training programme If unsuccessful in obtaining fellowship after 3 years If no longer wishes to continue research An ACF does not represent a commitment to a PhD or academic career

7. Applying for an ACF - Eligibility Trainee must be eligible to apply for specialty training post or already hold SpR / StR post Not aimed at individuals with PhD although not excluded Open to FTSTAs Applicants may also apply for non-academic specialty training Part-time ACFs are an option; maximum of 5 yrs

8. Application Process Described in detail on NCCRCD website: www.nccrcd.nhs.uk/ Requirements: Completed application form Ability to ‘demonstrate outstanding potential as a clinical academic in research and/or education’ Academic referee

9. Availability of ACF posts Total 250 ACFs in 2008 Spread across country Most specialties included Relatively few in Gastroenterology – 30 ACFS between 2006-2010 across 6 centres

10. DeaneryInstitution NorthernNewcastle North West Manchester West Midlands Birmingham East Midlands Nottingham London Royal Free / UCL Imperial College

11. Institution Total over 5yrs 20062007200820092010 Newcastle 3 (Hep) 10101 Manchester 7 (GI) 11122 Birmingham 2 (GI) 10010 Nottingham 9 (GI) 22122 Royal Free/UCL 2 (GI,Hep) 00101 Imperial College 6 (GI) 1 (Hep) 2000210020

12. Academic Clinical Fellowships AdvantagesandDisadvantages

13. Benefits of an ACF.. Juggling full-time clinical work with research is difficult ACF provides opportunity to continue clinical training with dedicated research time set aside

14. More Benefits of an ACF.. More informed decision prior to undertaking higher research degree More informed decision prior to undertaking higher research degree Acquisition of basic lab knowledge/skills allowing immediate commencement of project later Acquisition of basic lab knowledge/skills allowing immediate commencement of project later Strong position when applying for research training fellowship Strong position when applying for research training fellowship Established potential as clinical academic Established potential as clinical academic Project to be undertaken in major research centre Project to be undertaken in major research centre

15. Even More Benefits of an ACF.. Publications Attending / presenting at academic meetings Networking Experience and skills gained will be useful whatever your future career

16. Disadvantages of an ACF Less time for clinical training – Less time for clinical training – a potentially greater problem in procedure-oriented specialties But training now competency rather than time based But training now competency rather than time based - no longer a time-served requirement

17. Disadvantages of an ACF Initial teething problems for first Initial teething problems for first cohort of ACFs – lack of structure in research setting lack of structure in research setting unfamiliarity with scheme in unfamiliarity with scheme in clinical setting should improve with experience should improve with experience

18. ACF – What Next? Option to resume non-academic Option to resume non-academic clinical specialist training clinical specialist training Apply for Clinical Lectureship (CL) Apply for Clinical Lectureship (CL) Part of integrated academic pathway Part of integrated academic pathway 50% research, 50% clinical 50% research, 50% clinical Requires prior completion of PhD Requires prior completion of PhD or equivalent Duration up to 4 yrs Duration up to 4 yrs

19. ACF – What Next? After Clinical Lectureship, may proceed to Intermediate/Senior Lectureship or Clinician Scientist Fellowship After Clinical Lectureship, may proceed to Intermediate/Senior Lectureship or Clinician Scientist Fellowship Additional opportunities for career progression through: Additional opportunities for career progression through: Networking Networking Presentations Presentations Publications Publications

20. Summary ACFs offer unique opportunity to combine clinical and academic training Duration 3 yrs - 75% clinical; 25% research Prepare trainee to undertake PhD/higher degree May continue research as Clinical Lecturer Many additional opportunities: Publishing; conferences; networking Main disadvantage is reduction in clinical training time

21. Questions?