Educator Studio Sessions

Please note all Educator Studio Sessions are recorded and will be available to be viewed below in Past Educator Studio Sessions for Academy of Surgical Educators members. To join the Academy, click here.

CPD Hours: This educational activity has been approved in the College's CPD program. Participants with a RACS Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement can claim one hour of CPD under the Education category, which will be uploaded by RACS on your behalf. 

Tuesday 25 March 2025

Time: 6pm - 7pm AEDT
Topic: Evaluating anti-bullying training in surgery: surgeons’ perceptions from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Presenter: Paul Gretton-Watson

About the Topic:

Join us for a presentation on the next instalment of research led by Paul Gretton-Watson, last featured in the November 2023 Educator Studio Session (view here). This study evaluates how surgeons perceive the effectiveness of the Operating with Respect (OWR) face-to-face training program in reducing workplace bullying. A cross-sectional survey also examined the complementary interventions to reduce workplace bullying in surgical settings.

Paul’s third paper focuses on the drivers and mitigators of bullying in surgical workplaces, offering fresh insights into the cultural and behavioural dynamics shaping these environments. His final paper completes this research program by addressing systemic factors such as resource allocation, cultural norms, and governance challenges in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Together, these works provide practical strategies for fostering safer, more inclusive surgical workplaces.  Paul may offer a sneak peek at some of the highlights from these papers if time allows.

About the Presenter:

Paul has over two decades of experience in the field of workplace behaviour and anti-bullying initiatives. His expertise in high conflict personalities and workplace behaviour led to his invitation to collaborate on the early phases of development and assessment of the pilot Operating with Respect (OWR) anti-bullying training program, which was launched by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in 2016-17 and subsequently rolled out across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2018-19.  Paul is currently immersed in doctoral studies, with a dedicated focus on exploring the contemporary landscape of workplace behaviour and bullying in surgery. His research endeavours include an exploration of the root causes driving bullying behaviour and an examination of its far-reaching consequences. Moreover, he has been actively evaluating the efficacy of the OWR training program and various interventions initiated by RACS and employers since 2015, contributing significantly to the advancement of workplace respect and safety.

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Tuesday 29 April 2025

Time: 6pm - 7pm AEST
Topic: Train for Rural - the RACS Rural Professional Skills Curriculum and eLearning course
Presenter: Dr Bridget Clancy

About the Topic:

Dr Bridget Clancy joins us to present the latest progress of the RACS Rural Health Equity Strategic Action Plan, focusing on the Train for Rural actions.

In this session, Dr Clancy will discuss the development of the RACS Rural Professional Skills Curriculum and eLearning course, and provide insights on other STP and FATES funded research and projects, including asynchronous video-based coaching in rural settings, accreditation of rural training posts and rural training networks. 

About the Presenter:

Dr Bridget Clancy MBBS FRACS GAICD is an Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon with more than 20 years’ experience in practice in rural Victoria. She chairs the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Rural Surgery Section and is vice chair on the RACS Rural Health Equity Steering Committee. Her interests include rural health equity advocacy, governance, policy and communication.

Wednesday 21 May 2025

Time: 6pm - 7pm AEST
Topic: The Future of AI in Surgery
Presenter: Professor Mark Frydenberg

Further information coming soon. Register here to save the date.

Tuesday 3 June 2025

Time: 6pm - 7pm AEST
Topic: Keeping it together - navigating emotions in surgical practice
Presenter: Bruce Lister

Further information coming soon. Register here to save the date.