Dermatology Society: Academic Officer

I am a fifth year medical student with a strong interest in Dermatology and medical education.

I have always had an interest in dermatology and skin care, but after completing my placements this year, I have developed a deeper appreciation for the specialty’s impact on patients’ confidence and self-esteem. My experiences on placement, combined with my involvement in dermatology research projects, have further reinforced my passion for the specialty.

Dermatology is introduced relatively late in the curriculum, and many students find it daunting. From my experience, access to clear teaching, mentorship, and practical exposure can significantly improve confidence and engagement.

As Academic Officer, I would focus on making dermatology accessible, structured, and inclusive for students at all stages.

My aims include:

• Introductory talks for pre-clinical and early clinical students to demystify the specialty.
• Interactive tutorials centred on clinical cases to improve diagnostic reasoning.
• Mock OSCE sessions and dermatology spotters to help students approach dermatology stations with confidence.
• Practical skills sessions, including suturing workshops and introduction to using a dermatoscope.
• Career-focused talks providing insight into the dermatology training pathway and portfolio development.
• Collaborative events with other student societies to highlight dermatology’s relevance across specialties.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.

Hello! My name is Izzy and I am running for Academic Officer this year because I have really enjoyed being involved with the Dermatology Society this year. Attending the teaching series and the London Universities Dermatology Conference was particularly inspiring and helped me see how interesting and varied the field is beyond what we cover in the core curriculum. Those events made me realise how valuable good teaching and student-led academic events can be.

If elected, I’d like to help organise more practical revision-focused sessions, talks from clinicians about different dermatology career paths, and case-based teaching that links dermatology to other specialties. I would also be keen to continue building on the existing teaching series so that more students feel confident approaching dermatology during placements and exams.

Over the past year on the committee as your Events Officer, I’ve had the opportunity to prepare and co-deliver sessions within our teaching series in collaboration with other committee members, which gave me valuable insight into the planning, coordination, and attention to detail required to create high-quality academic events. From structuring content to ensuring sessions were interactive and relevant, I’ve really enjoyed contributing to the educational side of the society. I’ve also supported our conference and coordinated other events, which has strengthened my organisational skills and understanding of how to run sessions smoothly from start to finish.

I’ve been particularly inspired by the work of our current Academic Officers and the standard they have set in delivering engaging, well-structured teaching. I would love the opportunity to build on that foundation and ensure our academic programme remains consistent, accessible, and high-yield. I’m motivated, experienced within the committee, and genuinely passionate about dermatology education, and I’d be honoured to continue contributing in this role.