Dr Emerson, Academic Tutor Lead for Imperial’s School of Medicine, has been appointed as the the School's Director of Student Tutoring.
The School of Medicine, which houses around 2500 students across its undergraduate courses, began its Academic Tutoring programme after recognising the need to equip students with a learning skill-set that allows them to work efficiently and effectively and, in doing so, to drive academic success.
Dr Emerson, a Reader with the National Heart and Lung Institute, explains, "The Academic Tutor idea developed when I was the Senior Tutor for the MBBS early years in 2008, and realised that many welfare issues were associated with poor methods of studying, leading to under-performance and anxiety."
Academic Tutors work with students to develop efficient and effective learning skills that are often different than those students used in secondary and further education. The programme enables the development of learning skills that allow students to realise their potential and also to have time to pursue other interests which is critical to their wellbeing.
In 2018, the School of Medicine began a six-year expansion programme of its student tutoring services, initially appointing 18 Academic Tutors for the MBBS programme, trained in coaching skills that include learning-centred conversations with students.
The system encourages a sustainable growth mindset in students that allows them to flourish at Imperial, and to engage fruitfully in lifelong learning, a requirement within the medical profession.
"The great thing about the programme is that it is designed for every single student in our School regardless of their circumstances," Dr Emerson explains.
"The most important aspect of the programme is the time the Academic Tutors spend in conversations with their tutees."
In 2010, Dr Emerson was awarded the Rector’s Award for Excellence in Pastoral Care, awarded to staff who have shown exceptional dedication to developing, advancing and supporting students at Imperial.
This was followed by a President's Award in 2018 to mark his transformational approach to teaching within the Faculty of Medicine.
"The medical school is leading the way in developing a comprehensive study skills support programme and there is commitment on all levels from the school leadership, the academic and Imperial Tutors and the students themselves including the fantastic ICSM Student Union," Dr Emerson said.
By the 2024/2025 academic year, a total of 166 tutors will be trained to support School of Medicine students. As the programme rolls out over the next four years, Dr Emerson knows that he is helping to set a strong course for the caregivers of tomorrow.
"I’m extremely passionate about supporting our students and am really excited about the opportunity to support their journey across the curriculum," he said.
Dr Emerson joined Imperial College London in 2005 and is a Senior Lecturer in the Molecular Medicine Section of the National Heart and Lung Institute. As the Head of the Platelet Biology Group, he teaches on various courses including the MBBS programme.
His current research is focused on the identification of novel signalling pathways in platelets and in determining the role of the vascular endothelium in regulating platelet function and thrombotic disease?in vivo. He is also working to characterise the impact of ambient and engineered nanoparticulate pollutants on platelet-driven cardiovascular diseases.
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