PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT


assess the impact and progression of the CoP. Long-term sustainability will be explored through integration with IBMS and NHS frameworks.


Mentorship: the heart of the community A defining feature of the CoP will be the introduction of a peer-mentoring programme. Mentorship has long been recognised as critical to professional growth, yet access to mentors within biomedical science remains inconsistent. The CoP’s structured scheme will pair aspiring advanced practitioners with experienced consultant-level scientists, providing: n guidance on leadership, service development, and innovation


n support in navigating academic and professional qualifications and career progression


n a confidential forum for reflection and problem-solving.


As the Greek philosopher Plutarch observed: “The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.” The mentoring programme will seek to cultivate confidence, independence and capability among future leaders, ensuring that expertise is shared and that succession planning at this advanced level becomes a natural part of professional culture.


Leadership, learning, and lifelong development In addition to mentoring, the CoP will deliver a programme of CPD-accredited learning events including: webinars and roundtables on leadership, innovation, intellectual property and education; workshops exploring advanced practice frameworks and consultant role development; interactive forums for cross-disciplinary discussion; as well as co-created, self-paced online educational resources.


Each activity will be designed to foster collaboration, promote reflection, and align with IBMS professional development standards. The digital hub will host recorded sessions, resources, and discussion boards, allowing members to engage asynchronously across regions and time zones, therefore ensuring the CoP is truly accessible to all. Importantly, the CoP will operate as an


open learning ecosystem, encouraging members to share their own resources, case studies, and innovations. This approach will ensure that the community remains dynamic, practitioner-led, and responsive to evolving professional needs, challenges and developments.


Inclusivity and diversity A key principle underpinning the CoP is inclusivity. Biomedical scientists work across diverse disciplines, geographies, and organisational contexts. To reflect this diversity, the project will use deliberate mechanisms to ensure representation across: n Specialisms (blood, cellular, genetic and infection sciences)


n Nations and regions (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales,)


n Career stages (aspiring, newly appointed, and established advanced and consultant practitioners).


Engagement opportunities will be designed to be flexible, with a combination of virtual and in-person events. Feedback gathered through the launch event at IBMS Congress 2025 confirmed that many practitioners value digital accessibility to overcome geographical barriers. Equally, inclusivity extends to governance. The CoP’s code of conduct and intellectual property policy, which are both currently under development, will ensure respectful communication, ethical use of shared materials, and equitable recognition of contributions.


Evaluating impact From inception, the project has built evaluation into its design. A mixed- methods framework will capture both quantitative and qualitative indicators of success, including: n Membership metrics (engagement rates, regional distribution, role levels)


n Mentorship pairings and retention n Pre- and post-engagement surveys assessing confidence, leadership capability, and clarity of progression


n Case studies of individuals advancing into consultant roles


n Stakeholder feedback from primary (CoP members, employers, service users) and secondary (professional bodies, higher education institutions, policy makers and commissioners).


A Community of Practice focused on professional development is built upon three core components; the community, the domain, and the practice


WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM DECEMBER 2025


These evaluations will inform iterative improvements to the CoP and demonstrate impact at multiple levels; individual, organisational, and professional. Findings will be disseminated through IBMS publications, devolved nations governmental reports, and academic papers, contributing to the evidence base for professional development in laboratory medicine.


Alignment with the IBMS Workforce Strategy The IBMS Long-Term Biomedical Scientist Workforce Plan identifies the need to: n enhance career support for experienced professionals


n strengthen leadership within diagnostics


n promote clear progression into consultant practice


n build resilience and reduce attrition.


The CoP directly addresses these aims. By creating a sustainable framework for peer support and continuous learning, the project will help ensure that the UK retains and develops home-grown clinical leaders capable of shaping modern diagnostic services. Through encouraging reflection, innovation, and cross-disciplinary dialogue, the CoP will contribute to workforce sustainability, supporting recruitment into consultant roles and ensuring that biomedical science remains an attractive, aspirational career pathway. By fostering professional networking and collaboration, innovative problem solving will be promoted through the integration of diverse perspectives and insights.


Collaborative partnerships The project’s success rests on collaboration. Each partner brings unique expertise: n Cardiff Metropolitan University – project management, research design, and evaluation


n Cardiff and Vale University Health Board – applied clinical insight and professional mentoring


n The Open University – expertise in digital pedagogy and community learning


n Nottingham Trent University – research into professional identity and workforce development.


Together, these partners form the Research and Evaluation Group, ensuring academic rigour and practical relevance. The group’s interdisciplinary approach models the collaborative culture the CoP seeks to cultivate across the profession and will be built upon as the


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