Mrs Gemma Burke MSc, PgC, BSc (Hons) FHEA
Associate Head of School: Health and Social Care
Summary
I have 9 years prior experience working in the NHS as a clinical Therapeutic Radiographer and 15 years’ experience in academia as a lecturer. I am the Professional Lead for both Radiotherapy & Oncology and Diagnostic Imaging in the School Health and Social Care. I have strategic responsibility for the respective educational and research portfolios and for the development and wellbeing of the academic staff and students.
About
I graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2000 with a BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology and took up a post as a therapeutic radiographer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust. In 2002 I became a senior therapeutic radiographer and then specialised in Brachytherapy where I progressed to being a specialist practitioner.
I joined the radiotherapy and oncology team at Sheffield Hallam University in 2009 and have since taught a wide range of subjects across both the undergraduate and post graduate curriculum. In 2010 I completed both my MSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology and PgCert Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. My clinical specialist areas are in gynaecological cancer, brachytherapy and the management of radiotherapy induced skin reactions.
I have previously been the course leader for the PgD Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice the Pre-registration MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology in practice and the BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology. I also spent 7 years as the quality and assessment lead for Radiotherapy and Oncology.
In 2019 I became the Professional Lead for Radiotherapy and Oncology and in 2021 Professional Lead for Diagnostic Imaging as well. This role involves providing strategic leadership both internally within the School of Health and Social Care and externally though engaging with Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies, other health organisations ( e.g NHS and NHSE) and other Higher Education Institutes who also deliver education for the radiography professions. I am responsible for guiding academic and administrative initiatives to enhance education, research, and clinical practice as well as supporting both professional development and health and wellbeing as a line manager for a number of academic staff.
Brachytherapy
Gynaecological cancers and screening barriers for Cervical Cancer
The management of Skin reactions for patients undergoing radical megavoltage radiotherapy.
Healthcare Apprenticeships
Teaching
School of Health and Social Care
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Gemma has previously been the course leader PgD radiotherapy and Oncology In Practice and pre-registration MSc radiotherapy and Oncology in practice.
Gemma is the Assessment Lead for Radiotherapy and Oncology and has been in this role for the last 8 years.
Gemma is registered with SCoR as an external examiner. She sits on a number of faculty panels including fitness to practise, academic misconduct and assessment.
She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a peer reviewer for the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice
Gemma is also a member of the trailblazer for the development of a Therapeutic Radiographer Apprenticeship standard and sits on a faculty Apprenticeship task group.
Radiotherapy and Oncology
Diagnostic Imaging
BSc( Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology
PgD Radiotherapy an Oncology in Practice
Pre reg MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice
MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology
Teach on a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules.
Research
Publications
Journal articles
Ibbotson, R., Ali, N., Cadman, V., Burke, G., Shute, E., Elkington, M., & Nightingale, J. (2022). The changing role of pre-admission work experience (clinical visits) in therapeutic radiography, diagnostic radiography and operating department practice: Academic perspectives (part 2). Radiography, 28 (Supp 1), S84-S92. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.08.003
Probst, H., Burke, G., & Faithfull, S. (2020). The systematic review (appendix 4). It is a published guideline not a journal. https://www.sor.org/news/scor-updates-radiation-dermatitis-guidelines
Clarke, H., & Burke, G. (2016). A survey of prostate cancer patients’ perceptions of the support they receive during radical radiotherapy : is there room for improvement? Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15 (03), 239-246. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396916000169
Conference papers
Harris, R., Beardmore, C., Probst, H., Burke, G., James, S., & Bolderston, A. (2015). Radiotherapy skin care guidance. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, 24, 32.
Reports
Probst, H., & Burke, G. (2020). Radiation Dermatitis Guidelines for Radiotherapy Healthcare Professionals. College of Radiographers. https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/radiation-dermatitis-guidelines-radiotherapy-healthcare-professionals
Internet Publications
Harris, R., Beardmore, C., Bolderston, A., Burke, G., James, S., & Probst, H. (2015). Skin care advice for patients undergoing radical external beam megavoltage radiotherapy. https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/skin-care-advice-patients-undergoing-radical-external-beam-megavoltage-radiotherapy-0
Other activities
Chair of the Heads of Radiography Education National Group
Member of the Higher Degree Apprenticeship Therapeutic Radiography Trailblazer
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Co-Chair of the National Brachytherapy Radiographers Special Interest Group
External Examiner
Reviewer for the Journal of Radiotherapy and Oncology Practice