Responsibilities of the Chair include:
- Convene and Chair the Academic Board meetings in an efficient and effective manner, bringing objectivity and impartiality to decision making
- Ensure Board priorities remain focussed and aligned to RCOG objectives and deliverables
- Ensure Board actions are appropriately assigned, recorded and monitored
The Academic Board is responsible for to promote and safeguard all aspects of academic obstetrics and gynaecology including research and research training, postgraduate research training and the nature of academic jobs and training, particularly in relation to recruitment and retention and meets three times a year in person and remotely.
This appointment is for a three-year term beginning in June 2026 and will be appointed by interview and application.
UK Fellows and Members, Trainees, Associates or SAS doctors are eligible to apply for this position.
Please see the role description, person specifications and other information at the bottom of the page.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the form via the button below, where you will also have to upload a brief CV on one page of A4.
Should you have any additional enquiries please email academic@rcog.org.uk.
Application deadline: Friday 15 May 2026
Interview date: tbc
Role description
Chair
Council on the academic activity of the College.
Three years, June 2026-2029
This Academic Board is established by Council and reports to Council on the academic activity of the College.
Its purpose is to promote and safeguard all aspects of academic obstetrics and gynaecology including research and research training, postgraduate research training and the nature of academic jobs and training, particularly in relation to recruitment and retention.
The Board reports to RCOG Council and consists of a group of clinicians with a major interest and expertise in academia, research, and research training.
While the Chair of the Academic Board reports to the Vice President (VP), Education, they will attend the College Council as a full member.
The Academic Board meets three times a year.
- Convene and Chair the Academic Board meetings in an efficient and effective manner, bringing objectivity and impartiality to decision making
- Ensure Board priorities remain focussed and aligned to RCOG objectives and deliverables
- Ensure Board actions are appropriately assigned, recorded, and monitored
- Represent the Academic Board on Council as a full member
- Raise awareness of recent academic and research issues and ensure that they are placed on the agenda for discussion, in order that the College can be informed
- Provide oversight, assurance, and advice on three main programmes of work (undergraduate education, postgraduate education, and research) and participate in the appointment of the respective programme leads
- Provide oversight, assurance and advice on College responses to relevant consultation documents from external bodies
- Where appropriate, seek advice and opinions about issues from individuals and experts not represented on the Board
- Work with the College Officers and other stakeholders to oversee the Annual Academic Meeting
- Oversee the judging against agreed criteria of several RCOG prizes and awards
- Work closely with the RCOG Executive Director of Education and Quality and the VP for Education
- Recommend future membership of the Board
- Perform any other duties necessary in fulfilling the Academic Board Chair role
- Accountable to: RCOG Council
- Officer link: Vice President, Education
- Executive Director, Education and Quality
- Director, Clinical Quality
- RCOG Council (six meetings a year)
- Academic Board (three meetings a year)
- Other activities as required, two to three hours per week
This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.
The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term.
A new Academic Board Chair should be appointed at least three to four months before the end of the current holder's term of office, and they should work closely together during this time to facilitate a smooth take-over period.
Person specification
- FRCOG/MRCOG
Essential
- Experience of academic research or academic publication
Desirable
- Experience of a significant leadership role, preferably in a research/academic context
- An enthusiasm for the development of academia and research training and its support through appropriate representation and meetings and the time commitment as specified above
- Conversant with the activities and reporting structure of the Academic Board
- Understanding of the role of the Academic Board
- Knowledge of the RCOG’s Strategic and Operational Plans
- Good communicator as evidenced by past publications and presentations
- Prepared to respond rapidly to issues as they arise
- Detailed knowledge of current NHS knowledge of academic training and research interface
- The ability to liaise with College Officers, Postgraduate Deans, Heads of Schools, Academics, academic trainees and others concerned with academic training
- Up to date with College membership subscriptions
- Of good standing with the College
- Agreement from host organisation to be released to fulfil roles
- Flexibility
CPD information
Information about the RCOG CPD Framework can be found here.
Committee Chair/Member/Course Convenors and Organisers
If within your committee role or work as course convenor or organiser you gain knowledge which enhances patient care or leadership and technical skills (including, for example, giving presentations, teaching sessions or mock examining) credits can be claimed as an ‘Experiential Learning Event’.
CPD users can now freely select and record the number of credits for all their CPD activities. For Experiential Learning Events, a Reflection is required to claim the selected credits. In addition, 1 or 2 credits can be claimed for an action following the learning (1 credit for a simple action, 2 credits for a complex action). To claim credits for an action, the individual needs to demonstrate how they have applied their learning to their practice, the service they provide and/or the potential impact of the learning.
For those who prefer to follow RCOG recommendations, the CPD Framework still provides a suggested number of credits that can be claimed for different CPD activities.
Further information can be found in the RCOG CPD Framework document.
Terms of reference
This Academic Board is established by Council and reports to Council on the academic activity of the College.
To promote and safeguard all aspects of academic obstetrics and gynaecology including research and research training, postgraduate research training and the nature of academic jobs and training, particularly in relation to recruitment and retention.
In line with regulations and other governing documents, and legal and regulatory requirements, the Academic Board is responsible for overseeing all academic aspects of obstetrics and gynaecology, including research, training, and the nature of academic roles. It has the following responsibilities:
To maintain an overview of RCOGs academic strategies, curricula, policies and procedures pertaining to the following:
- Research
- Undergraduate teaching and learning, as related to research
- Postgraduate academic training
The Chair shall be recruited for a three-year tenure.
Membership
- Chair of Academic Board
- Postgraduate Lead
- Undergraduate Lead
- Higher Education Institution Representative (1)
- Higher Education Institution Representative (2)
- President, Blair Bell Research Society
- NIHR Clinical Research Network Lead
- SAS/LED representative
- UKARCOG Chair
- BUSOG Chair
- Trainee Representative
- Devolved Nations Representative, Scotland
- Devolved Nations Representative, Wales
- Devolved Nations Representative, Northern Ireland
- Executive Director, Education and Quality
- Director, Clinical Quality
- CEO, RCOG
- Head of Research Partnerships
- Chair, Research Advisory Committee Wellbeing of Women
- PPIE representative
- Clinical Quality Administrator
All members have a responsibility to report routinely to the Board on their own areas of activity. In addition to this, all members have a collective decision making and advisory responsibility in relation to the activity reported from others.
Therefore, it is expected that all Academic Board members are committed to attend, at least two meetings per year. Should clinical members require a letter from the College to secure time out of their clinical work in advance of the year ahead, this can be provided.
The Academic Board shall meet at least three times each year, with one meeting being in person.
The notice of the each meeting is set up in the meeting schedule with location/time/date already agreed in advance.
The Academic Board shall provide minutes to Council from each meeting on the nature and content of its discussion, recommendations and action to be taken.
For the Academic Board to be quorate the Chair, a majority of the Academic Board members (no less than five), and either the Executive Director, Education and Quality or the Director, Clinical Quality must be in attendance.
The administrator for Clinical Quality or their nominee shall act as the secretary of the Academic Board and will ensure that information and papers are received in a timely manner to enable full and proper consideration to be given to the issues.
The secretary shall minute the proceedings and resolutions of all meetings, including the names of those present and in attendance.
The Academic Board shall at least annually, review its terms of reference to ensure it is operating at maximum effectiveness and recommend any changes it considers necessary to Council.
Volunteering with the RCOG is a rich and rewarding experience which offers a range of professional and personal benefits:
- Professional recognition
- Build networks and friendships
- Career development
- Make meaningful change
- Wellbeing
What our volunteers say
"Networking with colleagues, feeling part of the important work being done by the College and being recognised for your contribution. It makes me feel so honoured and valued"
"Volunteering gives you the opportunity to develop personally through sharing your experiences and supports you to maintain your wellbeing by having time to relax among friends who understand the work you do"
"These relationships have been some of the most rewarding in my career. I would thoroughly recommend these roles to any aspiring colleagues with an interest in education and training"
"In my personal experience, committee roles and experiences gave me more motivation and passion to remain involved as an effective mentor, educator and trainer for my trainees"