I am committed to developing and delivering high quality education. My focus is on Paediatrics, and I lead both the intercalated BSc and MSc in Paediatrics at the UCL Institute of Child Health. I believe that innovative, research-led courses generate the highest standards of teaching, learning and assessment. This is not rocket-science – it is just applying the same level of professionalism and excellence to education as UCL departments do to research.

I built the iBSc from scratch with Drs Elizabeth Carrey and Caroline Fertleman and we focused on novel assessments including reflective diaries and patient pathways rather than a traditional disease-centred approach. The course started in 2010 and has become the most successful iBSc in UCL Medical School with an applicant to places ratio of 3:1 and student satisfaction rating of 9.25/10. This success comes from listening to the students and continually refining modules and assessments, not just to improve standards but also aiming to generate well-rounded doctors who are advocates for children and young people. We work hard to develop bespoke projects that enthuse students, often in difficult areas such as child protection where there is little research base. Many projects have been presented nationally and changed practice via new clinical guidelines. All of our team are committed to quality; we have won many teaching awards across London Paediatrics and UCL, including the 2014 Provost's Teaching Award to our Fellow Benita Morrissey. Students now choose UCL because of our BSc. Perhaps we are producing better doctors too; it is early for definitive statistics but our first cohort just graduated medical school with twice as many distinctions and merits as before the BSc.

I have completely transformed the MSc, with Dr Helen Bedford, again responding to student feedback. Key changes include: increased flexibility and greater choice via new pathways such as Community Paediatrics (2010) and Global Child Health (2014); innovative formative peer assessment; and widening access to other disciplines. Student satisfaction is high and applications remain strong, particularly overseas, despite competing courses across London and at a time when other paediatric MScs are closing around the UK.

The art of teaching is to empower students to achieve their best and I have extended this to several innovative programmes, which develop and support not just academic trainees but others that could eventually contribute to paediatric research. For example, I have:

* Developed the largest paediatric academic programme in the UK with 39 academic fellows and 13 lecturers across nearly every paediatric specialty.

* Helped found the Academic Paediatrics Association and led my trainees (marshaled by John Apps and Chryssie Brown) in developing the Paediatric Academic Trainees Forum. Both thriving nationally and providing representative senior and trainee platforms to campaign for higher paediatric standards.

* Organised academic workshops to interest medical students (with Gwyneth Davies) and clinical track trainees in research, hence belying the belief that academic paediatrics is only for the select few.

* Worked with another academic trainee, Jon Fisher, to pioneer an internet-based search programme using online dating software to match potential researchers with supervisors. Again widening access to all.

Summary:

I am passionate about paediatric education and these activities have established me as a global leader in paediatric teaching and training.