After two years of disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the NET Conference is returning to a fully interactive event from 6-7 September. Advance HE’s international conference for networking in healthcare education will be held at Lancaster University and will focus on two key themes: belonging and wellbeing. The event will bring together delegates and presenters from a wide range of healthcare professions to re-establish identity, rebuild networks, and recreate a sense of belonging to the healthcare community, both among staff and students.
We all have to start somewhere and NET is probably the most friendly and supportive conference environment for first-time presenters. It’s a great launch pad with constructive feedback offered if requested.Liz Clark, NET Conference co-founder
A lot will be packed into the two days of the conference, the highlight of day one is a workshop on Allyship and Sense of Belonging delivered by Professor Jason Arday of the University of Glasgow; Dr Dave Thomas, Senior Adviser EDI at Advance HE and Khalimah Ibrahiim from the University of East London. The keynote on day one will be delivered by Professor Bridgette Bewick, Professor in Psychological Health, Wellbeing and Education and academic lead for ‘I Belong Creative Connections’ at the University of Leeds.
Day two’s main event is our I Belong panel session, chaired by Professor Bridgette Bewick, where students from a range of different healthcare disciplines will share with us their lived experiences of belonging while at university. Day two’s keynote is from Professor Susan Van Schalkwyk, Director for the Centre for Health Professions Education at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
The session was organised well and the event ran very smoothly. I also found it interesting listening to the experiences of students from other healthcare programmes, and their experiences during Covid-19.Dennis Sebastian, Physician Associate student
Around those sessions will be symposia, oral presentations, poster plus sessions and posters on a variety of themes including sustainability and global health, key challenges in healthcare education, educational enhancement on person-centred care and the advantages of simulation in education. This allows professionals from multiple disciplines to share, learn and network together in a welcoming and friendly environment.
Celia Brigg, Advance HE Associate Director, said, “NET 2022 is focusing on a sense of belonging both within the HE institution and when on healthcare placements. This is a key topic for healthcare educators and one where the multi-disciplinary nature of NET can help us learn and share together for the benefit of the sector. We hope the hybrid nature of NET will ensure these discussions are accessible to all whether in Lancaster or online.”
Last year’s NET Conference was an overwhelming success with delegates - 84% were satisfied or very satisfied; 90% were satisfied with the experience of booking, attending and completing the conference. 97% of delegates said the academic content of the papers was good whilst 93% said the presentations gave innovative ideas.
I found a supportive, welcoming atmosphere and a programme that informed and inspired. I also made connections with people who I have had the pleasure of working with further, and who have become valued colleagues and friends.Sarah-Jane Ketterer, Lecturer and Director of Studies – Radiotherapy at the University of Liverpool
NET Conference 2022, 6-7 September, Lancaster University
NET is a two-day, international conference for networking in healthcare education. You can join the conference via the mode that best suits your needs to engage with our vibrant programme of keynotes, peer-led themed sessions, symposia, workshops and posters. Find out more here.