Meet Roger Kneebone

What course do you teach on and what is your role? 

I am the Course Director for Surgical Education at Imperial.

How has your career led you to teach?

I first trained as a general and trauma surgeon, working in the UK and Southern Africa. Then I changed direction and became a general practitioner (GP), working in a seven-doctor practice in southwest England for over 17 years. I've always been fascinated by teaching and did a PhD in surgical education while I was a GP. When I joined Imperial College London in 2000 I developed surgical education as a field and established the M Ed in Surgical Education.

What aspect of the course do you enjoy teaching the most?

I'm fascinated by the challenge of applying educational ideas from the humanities and social sciences to surgery. I love exploring parallels between surgery and areas of expert practice outside medicine, such as the visual and performing arts. That invites surgeons to think beyond professional boundaries as they become skilled and compassionate educators.

What do you hope your students will go on to achieve on completion of this course? 

Many students on the M Ed have gone on to leadership positions within surgical education in the UK and across the world. This course provides the knowledge, skills and inspiration to bring the worlds of surgery and education together and take your career in new and unexpected directions.

What is your favorite part about teaching at Imperial College London?

Imperial is a world-leading university in a vibrant part of London, full of talented and enthusiastic colleagues who spark new ideas and challenge how I think.