Mrs Anna Sillars

(she/her)

FHEA MSc BSc (Hons) PGCE

Overview

I am the Year 1 Deputy Lead for the MBBCh programme and I am a Lecturer in Medical Education at Cardiff University, based within the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre in the Centre for Medical Education. With over 13 years of experience at the University, I bring a multidisciplinary background and a strong commitment to inclusive, student-centred learning.

My academic foundation includes a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science from the University of Aberdeen and an MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde. Before entering academia, I spent seven years as a forensic scientist specialising in trace drug analysis. I hold a PGCE and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Within the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre, I manage operations, logistics, and quality assurance, while also teaching clinical skills across the MBBCh programme. I facilitate Case Based Learning (CBL) sessions, guiding students through collaborative, scenario-driven discussions that integrate biomedical knowledge with clinical reasoning.

 A key area of my academic leadership is the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) programme, which I lead as principal academic. PAL empowers senior medical students to support their junior peers in developing clinical competencies, fostering a culture of collaboration, confidence, and mutual respect. It not only enhances skill acquisition but also builds a supportive learning community that mirrors the teamwork essential in clinical practice.

I also supervise Student Selected Components (SSCs), with recent projects focusing on sustainability in clinical skills teaching and student-led content review. Until recently, I was module lead for the Learning Environments module on the intercalated BSc in Medical Education, where I focused on curriculum design, planning, and assessment.

I am deeply committed to involving students as partners in curriculum development, ensuring their voices shape the learning experience. This approach enhances engagement, relevance, and ownership of their education.

Beyond the curriculum, I contribute to widening participation and outreach initiatives including:

PACE (Promoting Academic Excellence): A community-focused programme that inspires pupils from underrepresented backgrounds to explore university pathways and healthcare careers through mentoring, interactive sessions, and summer schools.

SEREN Schools Programme: Supporting high-achieving pupils from Welsh state schools to access top universities through clinical skills workshops and experiential learning.

Sutton Trust Summer School: Delivering clinical skills sessions to prospective students from disadvantaged backgrounds as part of a national initiative to improve access to higher education.

I have co-designed a reflective sharing framework—similar to peer review—to support the professional development of medical educators. This initiative encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and shared learning, helping educators refine their practice and maintain high standards of teaching excellence.

Above all, I genuinely care about my students and strive to create a learning environment that is kind, inclusive, and empowering. My goal is to ensure every student feels supported and inspired to reach their full potential.