(GATE) Glasgow Academic Training Environment
The Glasgow Academic Training Environment (Gate), has been running since 2012. A variable number of trainees are admitted per year.
GATE is a joint undertaking between the University of Glasgow and the West Region of the Scotland Deanery of NHS Education for Scotland (NES) allowing trainees to benefit from exposure to excellence in both the research environment and clinical training.
All trainees appointed to the first year of a West of Scotland training programme in a selection of clinical disciplines are eligible to apply.
We particularly encourage applications from trainees who have research interests that are aligned with the University of Glasgow’s strongest academic centres.
Participating training programmes include:
- Core medical training
- Core surgical training
- Core psychiatry
Who Should Apply?
The aim of the programme is to encourage individuals with an interest in research and teaching to apply to pursue their goals.
As such we invite anyone with an interest in academia to apply.
Participation in the Academic Foundation Year programme is not mandatory.
Many applicants to the GATE programme use the time to create a competitive application for a higher degree.
However, trainees who already have an MD or PhD are still encouraged to apply and benefit from the other opportunities offered by the scheme.
Applications to GATE are managed centrally by NHS Education Scotland. Applications are usually made when applying for speciality training.
If you are considering applying and would like more information on the GATE scheme you can contact Dr Julie Langan-Martin, Dr Sharon Mackin or Dr Stephan Dreyer.
What Does The Programme Offer?
The GATE Programme is designed to take the most promising clinical academic trainees, develop their potential and create the next generation of research leaders.
The anticipation is that GATE trainees will apply for funded higher degrees (MD or PhD) and/or Clinical Lectureship posts.
To achieve this, the GATE programme differs from other specialty training posts in a number of ways:
1. Mentorship From Research Leaders
Each trainee is assigned an academic mentor to:
• Support academic progression in its broadest sense
• Provide a role model
• Advise on career progression
The mentor will have research interests that broadly match those of the trainee.
An important role of the mentor is to prepare the trainee for subsequent training opportunities, such as entry to competitive research training schemes or funded higher degrees as offered by (Chief Scientist Office, Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust or the various Medical Research Charities).
2. Competency Based Training
Each trainee is set a series of generic and specialty-specific academic competencies to attain during the first two years of their ST post.
The generic academic objectives cover similar topics to those delivered in the Academic Foundation Years, but to a more advanced level.
These are delivered through the Graduate School of the University of Glasgow and by host clinical units.
The specialty academic curricula are set and delivered by the relevant academic lead from that discipline and their attainment assessed by the trainee’s academic mentor.
These competencies are distinct from the standard core clinical competencies which must be attained by every trainee.
3. An Immersive Clinical Academic Experience
Trainees in the GATE programme are retained within central, academically active units and, unless necessary for training, will not rotate through peripheral hospitals.
Wherever possible all trainees are afforded the opportunity to collocate their clinical and academic activity.
All trainees receive honorary Clinical Lecturer status through the relevant research institutes or schools within MVLS for the duration of their tenure and for three years thereafter.
Combining Clinical and Academic Training
Clinical academia combines the best of medicine with the best of working in research.
World class clinical research harnesses the synergy between clinical practice and research.
We are committed to ensuring that GATE trainees are not disadvantaged in their clinical training.
Core training in any discipline requires completion of a busy curriculum and we were keen to ensure that GATE trainees have the same clinical exposure and opportunities as any other core trainee.
For this reason, the GATE programme does not offer dedicated time out of clinical training.
Additional, non-mandatory academic training is available and trainees are encouraged to work with their Mentor and the GATE team to find ways to incorporate academic development into a busy clinical training schedule.
The Changing Landscape of Clinical and Academic Training
Clinical practice and research are constantly evolving to meet the needs of contemporary medicine.
Training must also evolve to ensure that the next generation of clinical academics has the necessary skills and knowledge for their future career.
In the GATE programme we are in the process of collating feedback from current and recent trainees, from academic mentors and from clinicians.
We hope to use this knowledge to improve the experience for all. We have exciting plans for the next few years of GATE and will continue to develop these based on feedback we receive.