Dr Sarju Patel

BSc (Hons), PhD SFHEA

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Earlier in my career, I contributed to biomedical research in pharmacology and drug metabolism.

My current research interests lie at the intersection of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in medical education and healthcare, with a strong focus on addressing structural racism, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and enhancing representation of minoritised groups. This work spans policy influence through government consultations, academic inquiry into race and language in healthcare, and the development of innovative, interactive educational tools such as gamified EDI learning resources.

I am also committed to improving pedagogical practices through technology-enhanced learning and critical appraisal of bias in research. My ongoing efforts bridge public health, community engagement, and professional development to advance inclusive, evidence-informed healthcare education.

Teaching

Undergraduate MBBCh Medicine:

Teaching

Year 1

• Clinical Relevance of Biochemistry
• Post-Synaptic Potentials
• Academic Skills 2: Data Interpretation
• Adaptations to Exercise
• Autonomic Synaptic Transmission
• Cardiac Cycle
• Enzyme Function
• Function of Different Tissues
• General Sensation
• Modifying Heart Rate
• Post-Synaptic Potentials
• Professionalism: 'Introduction to Ethics'
• Professionalism: 'Personal development'
• Professionalism: 'What is Professionalism?'
• Regulation of Digestion and Appetite
• Respiration
• Regulation of pH
• Researching a Staff member
• Clinical Scenarios & Bilirubin Practical

Year 2

• Introduction to Imaging
• Arterial Blood Gas workshop
• EDI workshop
• Haematology Clinical Practical
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Tutorials
• Upper GI Tutorial

Intercalated Medical Degree

• iBSc Medical Education

Assessments

• Exam Paper Scrutiny
• Exam Paper Standard setting
• Exam Board
• Clinical Exam (ISCE)
• SSC Showcase
• Reflective writing

Biography

I am a Reader in the Centre for Medical Education at Cardiff University, with over 25 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. After completing my PhD in 1996, I began my academic career as a researcher, contributing to Cardiff University’s research landscape. Since 2016, I have transitioned to a Teaching and Scholarship (T&S) pathway within the School of Medicine, a move that has allowed me to focus on educational excellence, innovation, and equity in medical education.

This shift in career path has been both rewarding and affirming. I have been honoured with multiple award nominations (detailed below) and recognised as an exemplar Case Study in Cardiff University’s Celebrating Teaching Excellence Awards within the Education and Student Experience portfolio. My contributions were featured under the university's ethos: “We believe that the best education happens in partnership.”

Since joining the Centre for Medical Education, I have taken on several key leadership roles. These included Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for the College of Biological and Life Sciences, Deputy Chair of the Centre’s EDI Committee, Year 1 Student Selected Component Lead, Deputy Year 2 Director, and now, Year 2 Director. Additionally, I serve as Co-Chair of the Cardiff Medical School Differential Attainment Gap Working Group and Co-Chair of the Medical Schools Council EDI Alliance, roles that underscore my commitment to systemic change in medical education.

Within the undergraduate medical curriculum, I contribute extensively to curriculum design, delivery, assessment, and student support. I also provide mentoring and developmental support to both academic and professional services staff. My approach is rooted in compassion and inclusion, with a sustained focus on building individual and collective capabilities. One of the more significant projects I led was the integration of the C21 Medical Course in North Wales. My work on this initiative led to a six-month secondment as Year 2 Lead at Bangor University, where I further developed the program and enhanced student experience.

My values, fairness, respect, integrity, and equality have guided all aspects of my work and were instrumental in my appointment as Associate Dean for EDI (2021–2023). In this role, I led strategic initiatives and helped shape institutional policies aimed at fostering a more inclusive and respectful academic culture. I was also privileged to chair the staff working group (2023-2025) that contributed to the university’s successful application for the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, an achievement supported by my ongoing work as a peer reviewer for Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter.

Beyond my institutional roles, I am deeply committed to widening access to higher education. Since 2018, I have led the Promoting Academic Excellence (PACE) project, which partners with four schools in disadvantaged areas of Cardiff. PACE is designed to raise aspirations among Year 9–11 pupils from widening access backgrounds, introducing them to the possibilities of university education and careers in healthcare. The programme has received strong endorsements from participating students, with feedback such as:

“…I can describe this trip with one sentence—above expectations…”

and

“…I have enjoyed this trip, and it opened a huge gate for me, a new world to explore—medicine…”

Student support and pastoral care are central to my identity as an educator. I take great pride in working with students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds, advocating for equity, and ensuring all individuals feel valued and able to thrive. I am currently leading a project that explores the barriers students face at Cardiff University Medical School, barriers that affect their sense of belonging and, consequently, their academic attainment. This work seeks to identify actionable strategies to foster a more supportive and inclusive educational environment.

Throughout my career, I have strived to blend academic rigour with compassion, leadership with listening, and policy development with meaningful impact. I remain committed to creating spaces where staff and students alike can realise their potential and feel that they belong.

Honours and awards

• Champion for Student Voice & Partnership. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2025
• Most Outstanding Learning Experience. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2025
• Champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination – 2025
• Professional Service Support of the Year. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2025
• Excellence in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Cardiff University Celebrating Teaching Excellence Awards - Winner - 2024
• Education and Student Experience portfolio. Cardiff University Celebrating Teaching Excellence Awards - Selected as a Case Study - 2023
• Excellence in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Cardiff University Celebrating Teaching Excellence Awards - Nomination - 2023
  
• The Nation of Sanctuary Awards (Team award) - Welsh Refuge Council - 2023
  
• Recognition for being an aspirational, enthusiastic and supportive colleague. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2023
• Recognition of Excellent inclusion work at a high level. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2023
  
• Most Engaging Staff Member. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2023
• Recognition for Changing my life. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2022
• Recognition for never failing to stand-up for students giving them a voice to change things within the medical school that are unjust. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2022
• Recognition for being incredibly supportive throughout Year 2. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2022
• Recognition of Service to the School of Medicine and Medical Admissions. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2022
• Most Uplifting Member of Staff. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2022
• Outstanding Contribution Award Scheme, One-off Award. Cardiff University - Awarded - 2021
• Recognition for Co-Ordinating the Student Response During the COVID Pandemic and Supporting his Tutees. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2021
• Recognition for Kindness, Thoughtfulness and Generosity with Regards Making Time. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2021
• Team Recognition of Co-ordinating C4ME Pandemic Volunteering Activities. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2021
• Team Recognition of Phase 1 Curriculum Staff Go That Extra Mile Unstintingly. Centre for Medical Education Recognition Awards - Nomination - 2021
• Most Uplifting Member of Staff. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2020
• Outstanding Contribution to Engagement Activities. Cardiff University Medic Star Award - Winner - 2019
• Most Uplifting Member of Staff. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2018
• Personal tutor of the Year. Students Union Enriching Student Life Awards - Nomination - 2017

Professional memberships

Academic positions

Speaking engagements

• Naicker, R., Patel, S, Roberts, L., Morris, D. 2023. Developing an eLearning Module on Critically Appraising Antiracism: A Collaboration between Cardiff University and Ramona Naicker. University Health and Medical Librarians group (UHMLG), spring forum. Online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2IzfymAC_k

• Patel, S. Public speaking. African Caribbean Medical Association (ACMA), Southwest Networking Event 2022. Cardiff

• Akinnawonu, O., Nelson-Rowe, E., Brennan, P., Patel, S. Strategies for improving race equality in healthcare institutions. Developing Excellence in Medical Education (DEMEC) 2021. Online

• Metcalf, E., Johnson, T., Allen, J., Emerson, E., Tayyaba, S., Patel, S. 2019. Evaluation of undergraduate medical students’ self-assessment of reflective writing and in a structured clinical assessment (ISCE). European Board of Medical Assessors conference, Lodz, Poland.

Committees and reviewing

External committees

• Race Charter Panel Member, Advanced HE
• EDI Faiths task and finish group, Medical Schools Council
• EDI Alliance, Medical Schools Council

Submissions to Government consultations

Benfield E, Brennan P, Casey R, Cochrane E, Ellis S, John W, Forty L, Morris L, McKay E, Richardson J, Patel S, Stanton N, Webb K (submitted October 2021) Submission to Welsh Government Consultation LGBTQ+ Action Plan https://cf.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/WelshGovConsultLGBTQActionPlan/EcO1YraVcVtIjcsckelIr4oBZR9PeARP2jB0oS_RNyU0IQ?e=HFwHg8

Allen J, Basu P, Brennan P, Forty L, Goodfellow R, Mensuoh L, Patel S, Vyas J (submitted July 2021) Submission to Welsh Government Consultation regarding an Anti Racist Wales https://cf.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/MEDICStudentRaceEqualityTaskGroup/EeCAc5vENyJMrz6KQUbzjaABhYNt-lHjociOqHA7b3GHmw?e=ESRuG1

Engagement

Widening access to Medicine, Healthcare and University

The Promoting Academic Community Excellence (PACE) project

Background

Widening access to healthcare professions is a key strategic priority for the Medical School. The Promoting Academic Community Excellence (PACE) project is designed to foster meaningful, long-term partnerships with local communities, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the University and the communities it serves.

The project supports and enhances pupils’ academic development while raising aspirations through weekly interactive sessions held from November to March. Delivered in collaboration with local secondary schools, PACE aims to:

• Inspire pupils to see University as a possibility
• Help pupils gain entry to University
• Use relatable medical student role models to help inspire pupils
• Support the teaching in schools with medical students acting as tutors to help pupils to achieve their full potential

Weekly sessions

The project has been operating successfully since 2018 and has since expanded to include additional secondary schools. We are currently collaborating with four secondary schools located in disadvantaged areas of Cardiff, delivering weekly sessions on the University Hospital of Wales (Heath Hospital) campus. These sessions are facilitated by medical student volunteers through a near-peer teaching model.

The program is designed to be interactive and engaging, offering pupils a practical medical context to complement the science curriculum taught in schools. Participants also have the opportunity to use clinical skills equipment, such as stethoscopes, to enhance their learning experience.

Summer school

Building on the delivery of PACE through the academic year, the PACE project also delivers an on-campus summer school which aims to:

• Further inspire these pupils to see Medicine and healthcare as a potential profession
• Provide an experience of University teaching /learning
• Inspire pupils to actively consider University education as a viable option

The Summer School offers an introduction to Case-Based Learning (CBL), with sessions facilitated by Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 medical students. The programme includes plenaries, interactive workshops, tutorials, and clinical skills sessions. The day concludes with each year group delivering a short presentation summarising their learning, which they present to their peers, near-peer tutors, and the PACE team.

Costs

To ensure equitable access, participation in the PACE project has been entirely free for both pupils and partner secondary schools. To date, all associated costs have been covered through dedicated fundraising efforts.

By contributing to the PACE project using this link, you will directly support the ongoing delivery of these impactful sessions and help ensure the project's long-term sustainability and growth. Every donation is greatly appreciated and plays a vital role in widening access to healthcare professions within our local communities.