Chief vet and renowned physicist speaking at Fellowship Day 2018

We will be holding our third annual Fellowship Day in October this year to celebrate a new cohort joining the Fellowship and the achievements of RCVS Fellows, as well as hearing from inspiring guest speakers.

At this year’s event, which takes place at the Royal Institution on Friday 5 October, the keynote speakers are Jim Al-Khalili, author, broadcaster and Professor of Physics and Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Surrey and the UK’s recently appointed Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss.

Jim Al-Khalili will be talking about public engagement in science, including its importance, how it has evolved over time and its potential pitfalls, while Christine Middlemiss will be talking about the challenges facing the veterinary profession over the next 10 years.

The event will also see 33 veterinary surgeons being officially welcomed as Fellows of the RCVS of whom 17 are being recognised for meritorious contributions to clinical practice, eight for meritorious contributions to knowledge and eight for meritorious contributions to the profession. A full list of those joining the Fellowship in October is available to download. 

During the event there will be the opportunity for current Fellows to give a 10 minute presentation on an enlightening and interesting topic of their choice in the world-famous Faraday Lecture Theatre (home of the famous Christmas lectures). The College has written to all Fellows to ask them for their presentation ideas. Any Fellows who wish submit an idea for a presentation can fill in our dedicated online form. 

Professor Nick Bacon (pictured right), Chair of the Fellowship Board which is responsible for considering applications to the Fellowship and running the initiative, said: “We are delighted that such an eminent scientist and public figure as Jim Al-Khalili as well as the Chief Veterinary Officer have agreed to speak at this year’s Fellowship and we also look forward to a variety of interesting talks from Fellows about their areas of interest and research.

“However, while the Fellowship is about celebrating and recognising the achievement of established members of the profession, it is also concerned with encouraging and nurturing scientific endeavour at all career stages. This is why we have written to each of the vet schools asking them to suggest both undergraduate and postgraduate students who are conducting interesting and original research so we can help give a platform to the next generation of veterinary surgeons.”

Students who are interested in submitting a presentation idea can do using our dedicated online form. Presentations should be no longer than five minutes and will be given feedback by a judging panel comprising our President Amanda Boag, Nick Bacon and Jim Al-Khalili. The best presenter will also win a prize.

As well as inviting all RCVS Fellows we are also encouraging any Members of the RCVS who are interested in potentially applying for the Fellowship to attend the event as guests of RCVS Fellows. Those who wish to attend the event can order their free tickets on our Eventbrite page where they can also find the provisional programme and further information about the day.

Those with any questions about attending the event should contact our Senior Events Officer Emma Lockley on [email protected]