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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

BSMS team attend the Times Higher Education awards 2021

BSMS > About BSMS > News > 2021 > BSMS team attend the Times Higher Education awards 2021

BSMS team attend the Times Higher Education awards 2021

The Widening Participation and Outreach team at BSMS attended the Times Higher Education (THE) awards 2021 on Thursday 25 November in London. The team were shortlisted in the Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year category for their virtual work experience (VWEX) programme.

VWEX provides aspiring medics, regardless of their background and social capital, the opportunity to engage in medicine-related work “experience” and has seen more than 62,173 participants from across the globe sign up since its launch in January 2020. 

Claire Johnson, Widening Participation and Outreach Manager at BSMS says: “As a team we were delighted to be shortlisted for this year’s THE Awards. The range of projects that had been shortlisted showed the variety of initiatives that universities have to help support students from WP backgrounds not only to consider and attend university but, to succeed as well. We are immensely proud to have the VWEX recognised for the work it is doing in supporting students by providing them with an insight into medicine and for the hard work of the team.” 

Charlotte Smyrk, Widening Participation, Outreach and Recruitment Officer at BSMS, adds: "Traditionally, in-person work experience in healthcare settings has posed many financial, geographical and social barriers for aspiring medics. Our online work experience programme set about to remove some of those barriers and provide aspiring medics, regardless of their background, an opportunity to develop their insights into the field. From analysing data, reviewing reflective pieces and reading feedback, the evidenced learning gain and gratitude for such opportunity has been vast! We’re incredibly proud of the (rather unexpected) traction the platform has gained and excited to continue with its development!"

Three of the outreach team from BSMS pictured in front of a sign at the times education awards in smart clothes

From left to right: Matt Cowdock, Claire Johnson and Charlotte Smyrk from BSMS

The programme was developed by the Widening Participation and Outreach team, along with alumnus Jake Bush, now a junior doctor, who joined the team for the awards ceremony.

Data analysis from pre- and post-course surveys demonstrates a learning gain in many key areas such as users’ confidence in knowledge of the NHS values and the key skills required by doctors and healthcare professionals. There also appears to be a small dispelling of the myth that work experience in a hospital setting is necessary to get into medical school. Delving a little further into the analysis, statistical analysis shows the positive impact the programme is having on those from the most disadvantaged areas of England, above and beyond those residing in more affluent areas.

The Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year category was won by Manchester Metropolitan University for its First-Generation Scholarship Programme, which addresses the attainment gap for under-represented groups and provides participants with an opportunity to be part of a supportive and welcoming community. Nearly 600 institutions, teams or individuals were nominated in total, which is a record number for the awards.

See the full list of winners here >