CPD Awards 2023: Top Tips

These are our 2023 CPD Award winners recognised for their continuing professional development (CPD). The winners share some of their top tips for how to succeed in CPD.

Bryony Turford, CSciTeach Winner

Primary Science Professional Learning Consultant, Primary Science Geeks and My Science Club

Top tip:

Ask yourself ‘so what..?’ before attending a CPD event. Consider why you are attending and what you hope to get out of it. To be worth your while taking time out of your job and day, it has to have an impact. Within education, that impact has to ultimately be on young people and their learning. Keep asking that ‘so what…?’ question at the end of the CPD and regularly over a period of time afterwards too. That is what will ultimately make the difference.

 

Abigail Mortimer, RSciTech Winner

Scientific Glassblower, University of York

Top tip:

CPD doesn’t always have to be directly related to your role. I try and gain CPD from lots of different areas to ensure I have a good mix.

 

Dr James Fox, CSci Winner

Deputy Operations Manager, Biology, University of York

Top tip:

We are all busy but it’s vital to make time for CPD, the world is ever changing so to be adaptable we must make full use of CPD to learn new skills to take opportunities as they present. It also keeps work interesting and rewarding!

 

Gemma Norburn, RSciTech Winner

Anatomical Pathology Technologist, BHRUT

Top tip:

To keep my CPD at it’s very best I am always on the look out for opportunities or asking how what I do could be recorded as CPD. Any form of learning or experience can be a good way of recording how you have developed.

 

Jemma Lonsdale, CSci Winner

Principal Consultant, RPS

Top tip:

Make sure you set aside some time and stick to it (like a doctor’s appointment) and don’t feel guilty about taking the time to think about you. You can only really support others if you maintain your training and have the time to reflect and embed.

 

Suzanne Mahon, RSci Winner

Clinical Technologist Nuclear Medicine

Top tip:

My top tip for CPD is to make regular entries. We all start the year with good intentions but can easily get distracted. Seek out opportunities and think ‘outside the box’ as variety gives a greater satisfaction and being prepared prevents panic as the submission date approaches!

 

Katy Fleckney, CSci Winner

Head of Radiation Physics, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Top tip:

I keep an e-mail folder and store copies of e-mails and reports that I send in there, so that when I come to write up, it’s all in one place.  I would also recommend reviewing all activities to ensure you have a good variety across areas such as educational, scientific, personal development and leadership etc.

 

Dr Joanne Fallowfield, CSci Winner

Head of Musculoskeletal Injury Mitigation and Nutrition, Institute of Naval Medicine, MOD

Top Tip:

Aim to complete CPD little and often to minimise perceived barriers to training (such as time) to ensure CPD happens. Integrating into normal business, where possible, is time-efficient and ensures all opportunities can present as opportunities for learning… where a structured approach to CPD reflection will drive-forward effective professional development.

 

Raewyn Freestone, RSci Winner

Lead Laboratory Technician, Cambridge Consultants

Top tip:

Keep on learning! There are many different course platforms to help you achieve insights into new methods and discoveries. It is not only good professional development but helps you evolve and grow your career.

 

Mark Gardiner, CSci Winner

Chief Operating Officer

Top tip:

I think of CPD as a way of supporting my current and future role. I continually consider the skills and knowledge I require now and in the future and use CPD to support this. I also find that reflecting on the CPD afterwards help me to focus on both its long and short term usefulness and where to go next.

 

Sian Hodgkins, CSci Winner

Senior Environmental Scientist, Tonkin + Taylor

Top tip:

My top tip(s) for CPD would be connection and reflection. Reconnecting with colleagues post-Covid has been refreshing both professionally and personally. Regularly reflecting on progress and sharing learnings nurtures growth and encourages collaboration.

 

Shahpur Patell, CSci Winner

IChemE CSci, Oxford

Top tip:

Just be curious and look for opportunities to learn from others, so much is available free for the asking. Be cheeky and ask for help and support; there are more kind people than selfish people. When asked what you know, tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but what’s true.

 

Tahmina Hussain, CSci Winner

Programme Lead – Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship, Directorate Lead for Staff EDI – Human and Natural Sciences (HANS), Lecturer in Biomedical Science. University of Salford

Top tip:

There are plenty of opportunities for CPD as long as you are able to reflect on them and develop your knowledge and skills. Whether the CPD activity is a conversation during a meeting or a discussion with colleagues about a case, this can be counted as CPD if you are able to demonstrate how the activity meets the standards of CPD. Keeping a log with a few short sentences and a date can really help when it comes to submitting a CPD profile.

 

View the full winners list, plus volunteer and apprentice recognitions here. The winner’s share their stories here.

The Science Council Celebration of Science took place at Thinktank, Birmingham science museum on Wednesday 15th November 2023. This event celebrated the achievements of CPD Award winners, recognised volunteer contributions and applauded apprentices and their journey.

The annual CPD Awards celebrate the continuing professional development (CPD) carried out by registrants from across the Science Council registers:

Inspired by our CPD Award winners? Begin your application for professional registration here.