Authors:  (l to r) Associate Professor Claudia Di Bella, Associate Professor Juliet Emamaullee and Associate Professor James Lee

The 15th Developing a Career and skills in Academic Surgery (DCAS) course was held in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, on 6 May.

Speakers at the DCAS course shared valuable insights on building a career that combines research and medicine.

We were honoured to host guests from the Association for Academic Surgery (USA) and international invited speakers.

Associate Professor Kerin Fielding, president of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, welcomed participants and faculty.

The day started with a session on motivations for following a career in academic surgery. Dr Callisia Clarke, who specialises in oncological surgery, provided insight into what inspired her to become a surgeon scientist in the USA. Drawing on personal experience and observations from Australia, USA and the UK, Associate Professor Anthony Glover, an endocrine surgeon explored whether being a surgeon scientist is the right choice.

Associate Professor Andrew MacCormick shared his experiences in finding a research topic that sparks joy by taking a philosophical look at the question.

Associate Professor Kerin Fielding asked, ”Why do research on a shoestring budget?” and highlighted research can be fun, inexpensive and career boosting while perhaps also changing the world.

Session one closed with endocrine surgeon James Lee’s presentation ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians in research’, showing how systemic gathering of evidence was what turned a fad or trend into the gold standard.

The second session focused on not losing sight of the bigger picture. Dr Brenessa Lindemann (Alabama, USA) presented strategies to prevent a mid-career crisis and manage the challenges that many face during their worklife.

The hot topic, ‘Unleashing the power of AI in surgical research’, was delivered by general and gastrointestinal surgeon, Dr Matthew Read.

Matthew focused on AI as a rapidly evolving field with numerous clinical and research applications and opportunities. He emphasised clinicians and researchers should have a working knowledge of AI.

Session three, ‘Modern tools of the trade’, included three guest speakers from the USA.

Yue-Yung Hu, a paediatric surgeon from Illinois, USA shared her insight into writing a compelling abstract. Associate Professor of Surgery and Immunology Juliet Emamaullee from Los Angeles followed with ‘Presentations to impress’. Dr Lesly Dossett from Michigan, who specialises in surgical oncology closed the session with her views on writing for impact.

The keynote address by Professor Jonathan Koea, from the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau, centred on research being beyond those in the ivory towers. He challenged attendees to consider whether there is a better way of learning in a low-volume environment.

Session four panel discussions on the ‘controversies’ concluded the day with presentations by upcoming  surgical researchers from the Australasian faculty.

Feedback from participants of the  DCAS course indicated that all sessions were well received and beneficial.