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Honorary staff in the Faculty of Medicine

Honorary Titles recognise the valuable contribution our honorary community makes to the academic life of our departments and, by extension, to the Faculty and the College. The award of such titles acknowledges and facilitates a planned collaboration or ongoing shared activity between a non-employee of the College and an academic department of Imperial.

Titles are awarded (and extended) by nomination. Proposals are reviewed and must be approved by the home academic department, before being formally processed and offered by the College's HR division.

Joining the Faculty community as an honorary staff member offers the opportunity to be part of a highly ranked, internationally recognised University, to extend your professional opportunities and to build and contribute to academic understanding and knowledge in medical science.

Honorary and Visiting titles

The work of academic departments is enhanced by the involvement and collaboration of non-employees. To recognise the association, the College may confer an honorary title on a non-employee during the period of their association.

A complete list of College honorary and visiting associations is available at Imperial College London on the HR Webpages - along with details of how academic departments can request a new association, and of the maximim length of each affiliation prior to renewal.

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Honorary Professors of Practice

Honorary Professors of Practice (PoPs) make a significant contribution to the mission of the Faculty and are classified by the College as Senior Honorary Associates. PoPs have a different appointment route to other honorary/visiting titles, and are considered through the annual Academic Promotions process, including a formal College interview.

Appointments are made for a five year period as standard, after which the position is renewable by formal review.

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Information for NHS colleagues

The contribution of NHS colleagues is recognised within the Faculty through either the honorary associations discussed on this page or, in the case of some specific contributions to undergraduate teaching, through dedicated non-honorary 'ICSM Clinical Teaching Titles' which are managed by the Faculty Education office (see info in blue box on this page).

The Faculty has developed a short booklet introducing the Honorary Titles available for NHS staff - see download link below.

Download the booklet in PDF

Getting Involved

As an honorary staff member it is possible to be involved in a wide range of the Faculty's academic and innovation activities, where appropriate to the association. Opportunities can include:

Undergraduate:

Honorary staff are delivering, developing or leading aspects of admissions, course delivery, student support and examination for our undergraduate medical student programmes (MBBS/BSc and BSc in Medical Biosciences). The School of Medicine, as the undergraduate arm of the Faculty, is a vibrant and forward-thinking educational environment which continually works to enhance medical and biomedical training through course innovation, modern pedagogy and digital development. The School also hosts the Medical Education Research Unit and runs a range of outreach programmes to widen participation and opportunity for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds right across the United Kingdom.

Postgraduate Education:

Honorary staff contribute to and (in some circumstances) lead development and delivery within our portfolio of postgraduate taught programmes, at module and course level. Staff can also get involved in supervising postgraduate student projects, examining and assessment or contributing to new training developments or mentoring.

Research and Scientific discovery:

Honorary academic staff within the Faculty are involved in discovery and translational science programmes within all of our academic departments, including acting as an investigator or being part of the research team for scientific projects, publishing high quality research papers and co-supervision of postgraduate research degrees. Contributions can also include acting as an examiner for PhD or MD degrees. NHS staff who take up academic training pathways and join Imperial’s clinical academic training programmes will be awarded appropriate honorary titles where these are necessary to deliver their activities at certain key stages in the pathway (Specialised Foundation Training, Academic Clinical Fellowships). Appropriate titles are also offered to facilitate other locally funded and recognised research training fellowships, as well as some postdoctoral fellowships.

Translation and Innovation:

Honorary staff can also play an important role in advancing the translational and innovation opportunities arising from College developments. For example, through translation of research findings into practice or policy, working with staff on academically-led public and patient engagement, getting involved in the development of enterprise and industry partnerships or collaborative involvement in development of a new product, technology or protocol with a College employee.


* Notes
1) In all cases, it’s important to be aware that award of titles is reserved for delivery of College-led academic and innovation activities (as distinct from training and research activities undertaken for NHS programmes). 2) Information provided here is intended for general information purposes and may be subject to update or change at any time. For further and most up to date information please always check the relevant College level HR webpages and any role specific information provided directly to you by the College.

Benefits of honorary association

Honorary staff within the Faculty enjoy a range of opportunities and benefits that come with College honorary association

Benefits may include the following*:

permission from the College to use the awarded title in appropriate circumstances (the honorary status should be made clear in any such circumstances)
access to College spaces, facilities and activities as agreed with the awarding department to deliver your agreed activities
(where necessary for the activity) an Imperial College London e-mail address and Office365 account (e-mail and associated tools) ^{SEE NOTE 2 BELOW}
access to a wide range of academic computing and library services
access to use a range of College facilities and eligibility for ‘Imperial Related’ rate membership of Imperial’s ‘Ethos’ sports centre/activities
opportunity to attend or be involved in a range of College events (eg. Guest Lectures, Seminar series)
access to key elements of ‘Imperial Essentials’ training
a personal ‘Professional Web Page’ (PWP) that you can update to communicate with colleagues and the wider scientific world about your academic and associated activities and achievements. ^{SEE NOTE 2 BELOW}


* Notes
1) The nature and range of benefits available to honorary staff may vary and be subject to change. 2) Your College account and profile should only be used for your College activities. Please see Conditions of Use of IT resources 3) Information provided here is intended for general information purposes and may be subject to update or change at any time. For further and most up to date information please always check the relevant College level HR webpages and any role specific information provided directly to you by the College.

Expectations

Appointments to Honorary roles in the Faculty are made with the following expectations and requirements*:

that prospective and current appointees will provide all necessary details and documentation to support the assessment of their application and to fulfil compliance requirements, and will keep details up to date throughout the duration of their affiliation

And that appointees will:

complete the suite of ‘Imperial Essentials – Must do’ compliance training within six months of appointment, and every 2 years thereafter, plus any training and induction that is role, group or situation-specific (to be advised by your department and/or supervisor)
acquaint themselves with, and follow, College policies and procedures whilst undertaking College business and when using College facilities, equipment, and accounts
provide explicit acknowledgement of their affiliation with Imperial College London in publications, presentations, and other activities in the public domain, where appropriate
use their full honorary title in all communication, ensuring it is clear that the association with the College is on an honorary or visiting basis.
maintain contact with their allocated supervisor at regular intervals and, at least annually, work with their supervisor to review their activities, plan for the year ahead and consider any training or compliance needs
keep the College up to date with any change of status or details that may affect their activities for, or status at, the College


* Notes
1) Information provided here is intended for general information purposes and may be subject to update or change at any time. For further and most up to date information please always check the relevant College level HR webpages and any role specific information provided directly to you by the College.

ICSM Clinical Teaching Titles

A Clinical Teaching Title with Imperial College School of Medicine recognises the vital undergraduate teaching activities of clinicians within community and hospital-based learning environments at partner NHS Trusts.

A title provides teachers with system access to assist in the delivery of education and offers opportunities for education training and development.

Four titles are available, awarded based on career level and teaching activity: Associate Clinical Teacher, Clinical Teacher, Senior Clinical Teacher and Principal Clinical Teacher. Progression through the range of titles is encouraged.

Application to a title is managed by the School of Medicine Secretariat within the Faculty Education Office, working with the relevant Director of Clinical Studies.

To apply for a title, please complete this online application form. Further information about each title and their application criteria can be found in the guidance notes.

To discuss the scheme further with a member of the of the School of Medicine Secretariat, please email icsm.honcon@imperial.ac.uk.

Honorary staff in the Faculty of Medicine

Honorary Associations within the Faculty of Medicine