IBMS Scottish Training Forum

6/7 💛 Most underrated skill: Balancing compliance with compassion. Professional standards are black‑and‑white, but people live in the grey — supporting and motivating while maintaining standards is key.

5/7 🗣️ Skill she’s focusing on in 2026: Improving communication — especially timing and level of detail. Since her Autism diagnosis, she’s embraced the power of clear, targeted communication: “Sometimes less truly is more.”

4/7 🏴 What she wants to see more of in Scotland‑wide collaboration: A streamlined, unified approach. “When IBMS releases updates, we don’t all need to reinvent the wheel. Working together helps us react faster and more consistently.”

3/7 🤝 Why she got involved: Shona loves sharing anything that might help others — and always learns just as much in return. “Sharing across the network lifts us all.”

2/7 🧪 How she describes the IBMS STF: “A supportive, collaborative space where we share insights, tackle challenges, and spark new ideas. It’s our go‑to network for innovation and training development.”

9/10 🌱 Mentors who shaped her: Phillippa has been guided by leaders in both academia and practice who modelled thoughtful, transparent, and fair leadership — values she now brings into her own teaching.

8/10 💡 Most underrated professional skill? Consistency. “It’s not glamorous, but doing the small things well creates a reliable, supportive environment — and ultimately benefits patients through dependable results.”

7/10 📈 Skill she’s focusing on in 2026: Improving her data‑driven teaching — using analytics and student feedback to better tailor learning and support.

6/10 🤝 Her vision for Scotland-wide collaboration: More cross‑site sharing of: • Digital learning innovations • EDI-focused training • Interprofessional learning Because shared ideas = stronger training for everyone.

5/10 ⭐ Why she got involved: Phillippa wanted to help bridge academic teaching with clinical training — ensuring students and trainees across Scotland get the best, most aligned experience.

4/10 📚 The STF is a space for: • Sharing expertise • Standardising good practice • Strengthening the pipeline of skilled biomedical scientists A true Scotland‑wide community of practice.

3/10 💬 How she describes the IBMS Scotland Training Forum (STF): “A collaborative network bringing together educators, trainers, and practitioners across Scotland to enhance and support high‑quality biomedical science training.”

2/10 👩‍🏫 Role: Biomedical Science Lecturer at Robert Gordon University Phillippa plays a key part in developing the next generation of biomedical scientists, connecting academic teaching with real‑world clinical practice.

8/9 👥 Her mentors: Lynne has learned from a broad range of professionals — Lab Managers, Clinical Scientists, and Haematology Consultants. She attends weekly MDT meetings and registrar training sessions to stay current with new cases and practice.

7/9 💡 Most underrated professional skill? “Critical thinking under pressure — while staying absolutely accurate. Haematology results can be time‑critical and impact patient care.”