This informal initiative, led by Peter Llewellyn of NetworkPharma, encourages networking and dialogue amongst individuals working in and around specialist medical education, medical communications and medical publishing businesses primarily based in the UK.
Please help spread the word and sign up for our weekly newsletter by emailing Peter Llewellyn.
LUNCHTIME CAREERS EVENT - MANCHESTER
8 March 2012, Manchester University
Everyone is welcome at this, our second Manchester careers event, which we're delighted to be presenting in association with Vitae NW Hub. It is free to attend for everyone, though primarily intended for post-docs and PhD students from the biomedical sciences departments within Universities, to meet with a number of medical communications (MedComms) professionals for a highly engaging session which presents medical writing and account management in MedComms as attractive career options.
These events will be free of charge to attend. Please help spread the word. Everyone is welcome.
How the patient can and should impact drug development and healthcare delivery. The growing importance of the patient in shaping scientific and medical research, involvement in panels for discussion and decision making. Obvious parallels to the FMCG industry. The need for Pharma, health services, and public sector to be more "Patient Intelligent" and to understand and act on specific patient needs and requirements. History and experience of patient involvement in the public sector, guidelines and lessons learned, implications and current activities in the Pharmaceutical sector. Development of models for incorporation of patient perspectives and experiences in healthcare outcomes.
Speakers: Nadine van Dongen (Founder, Patient Intelligence Panel), Mark Nuijten (Founding member and Managing Director Europe at Minerva - International Health Economic Network) and Professor Sandy Oliver (Social Sciences Research Unit, University of London)
This event is free of charge to attend, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors; Dove Medical and IML.
2-DAY CAREERS WORKSHOP - OXFORD
24-25 May 2012, Oxford University
Please are already well advanced for this unique annual event which we run with Oxford University. More information coming soon - meanwhile check out details of the last such event we ran, in Oxford in May 2011.
If you have any questions about the event meanwhile, please email Peter Llewellyn.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - 2nd ANNUAL ROUNDERS TOURNAMENT
1 July 2012, AstraZeneca Leisure Club, Alderley Park
After the success of last year's event, which was won by the Complete Group WorldWide, plans are now underway to stage this year's Rounders Tournament and Family Fun day. We'll be looking for eight teams and lots of supporters to make this another memorable day. Family members of all sizes welcome - we will have plenty to do for the kids as well as the adults!
If you wish to participate in this event please contact the local organizer, Ryan Woodrow, directly on email ryan.woodrow@aspire-scientific.com
[HOLD THE DATE - MORE DETAILS SOON]
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - AFTERNOON WORKSHOP
10 July 2012, AstraZeneca Conference Centre, Alderley Park
Topic to be decided
This will be a full afternoon's session and we're looking for ideas. Let us know!
This event is free of charge to attend, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors; AstraZeneca
[HOLD THE DATE - MORE DETAILS SOON]
LUNCHTIME CAREERS EVENT - LONDON
13 July 2012, Institute of Education, London
Everyone is welcome at this, our third London careers event. It is free to attend for everyone, though primarily intended for post-docs and PhD students from the biomedical sciences departments within Universities, to meet with a number of medical communications (MedComms) professionals for a highly engaging session which presents medical writing and account management in MedComms as attractive career options.
These events will be free of charge to attend. Please help spread the word. Everyone is welcome.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - AFTERNOON WORKSHOP
6 December 2012, AstraZeneca Conference Centre, Alderley Park
Recent controversies and questions in medical communications
Following the successful meeting in December 2011, this will follow the same format, combining a number of succinct presentations from specialists with a workshop/Q&A session and, as always, the opportunity to network with peers. The objective will be to reflect generally on the hot topics that have been debated during 2012 and to look forward to what might be important next year.
This event is free of charge to attend, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors; AstraZeneca
[HOLD THE DATE - MORE DETAILS SOON]
PREVIOUS EVENTS... PREVIOUS EVENTS...
19 January 2012 - European CME in Practice: Update and Case History discussion, Macclesfield
A valuable meeting which reviewed regulations and practices around European CME. A case history approach helped the audience understand in detail what is the most appropriate approach that should be taken to gaining accreditation for European educational activities.
[Post-event report here.]
12 January 2012 - European CME in Practice: Update and Case History discussion, Oxford
A valuable meeting which reviewed regulations and practices around European CME. A case history approach helped the audience understand in detail what is the most appropriate approach that should be taken to gaining accreditation for European educational activities.
[Post-event report here.]
9 January 2012 - Medical Writing Careers Session, Oxford University
This was the sixth time we have run what is now established as an annual event. Once again we had an enthusiastic audience of post-docs and DPhil/PhD students and others from the biomedical sciences departments within and around Oxford and from other Universities, who met with a number of medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option.
[Post-event report here.]
6 December 2011 - Recent controversies and questions in medical communications, Alderley Park
This was an excellent and insightful afternoon's meeting, combining a number of succinct presentations from specialists with a workshop/Q&A session and, as always, the opportunity to network with peers. The objective was to reflect generally on the hot topics that have been debated during 2011 and to look forward to what might be important next year.
[Post-event report here.]
11 October 2011 - Evening briefing, Oxford - A Conversation with Doug Altman
This informal Q&A-based discussion, held at the Magdalen Centre, The Oxford Science Park and led by Professor Doug Altman, gave us all an opportunity to explore and reflect on the challenging pathways that neeed to be navigated from data collection to publication and provided an opportunity to muse on how dissemination of scientific data will be best achieved in the future.
[Post-event report here.]
MedComms rounders tournament and family fun day
The first MedComms Rounders Tournament and Family Fun Day took place at the AZ leisure club in Cheshire on a warm, mostly sunny day, and was attended by an enthusiastic crowd of around 100 players, supporters and children.
[Post-event report here.]
15 July 2011 - Medical Writing Careers Session, Institute of Education, London
Everyone was welcome at this, our second London careers event. Once again we had an enthusiastic audience of post-docs and DPhil/PhD students and others from biomedical sciences departments from Universities all around the country, who met with a number of medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing and account management as attractive career options.
[Post-event report here.]
13 July 2011 - Networking Evening at Oxford
Once again we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of MedComms specialists gathering at Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel in Oxford for the now traditional Summer evening event in the South. Once again the event was entirely free of charge thanks to the generosity of the sponsors.
[Post-event report here.]
13 July 2011 - Can Pharma get Social? meeting, Oxford
We had an enthusiastic crowd meet at Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel in Oxford to hear from specialist ecademy digital coach, Karen Winterhalter, talking to us about the need for a changing mindset to deal with Social media. Pharma are widely criticized for not embracing social media, but who can blame them? Confusion abounds as to what the industry can do, and when, and how.
[Post-event report here.]
5 July 2011 - Networking Evening at Macclesfield
Once again we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of MedComms specialists gathering at The Tytherington Club in Macclesfield for the now traditional Summer evening event in the North. Once again the event was entirely free of charge thanks to the generosity of the sponsors.
[Post-event report here.]
5 July 2011 - Can Pharma get Social? meeting, Macclesfield
We had an enthusiastic crowd meet at The Tytherington Club in Macclesfield to hear from specialist ecademy digital coach, Karen Winterhalter, talking to us about the need for a changing mindset to deal with Social media. Pharma are widely criticized for not embracing social media, but who can blame them? Confusion abounds as to what the industry can do, and when, and how.
[Post-event report here.]
25 May 2011 - Briefing Meeting in London, A Conversation with Ben Goldacre
We had a packed house at Hilton London Euston hotel. Ben has been a long-standing, and high profile, critic of some practices of the pharmaceutical industry and is currently working on a new book, due for publication in early 2012, which looks at the industry and its practices. This informal Q&A-based discussion gave us all an opportunity to explore and reflect on how the industry works and how it is perceived. As usual the meeting not only served as a valuable educational opportunity but also allowed plenty of time for networking with colleagues from across the MedComms business.
[Post-event report here.]
23-24 May 2011 - Careers Insight Workshop, Oxford University - Medical Writing in MedComms
This 2-day workshop was run with funding from Oxford University as well as the support of six leading MedComms agencies. Delegates with a genuine interest in joining the MedComms industry heard from a superb line up of speakers about the pharmaceutical industry, the role of MedComms agencies and the specifics about working as a medical writer and some of the activities they would expect to undertake. We were able to highlight related writing roles as well as other roles within the agencies such as Account Management.
[Post-event report here.]
20 January 2011 - Networking Evening at Oxford
Once again we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of MedComms specialists gathering at Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel for the now traditional Winter evening event in the South. Once again the event was entirely free of charge thanks to the generosity of the sponsors.
[Post-event report here.]
20 January 2011 - ABPI Briefing Meeting, Oxford
We had a packed house at Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel. Timed perfectly to coincide with the launch of the new 2011 ABPI Code of Practice on 1 January 2011, Steven Gray (Founding Director of Compliance Hub) talked us through the new ABPI Code, reflected on the implications for other international Codes, and spent time discussing compliance in the digital environment which is one of his areas of speciality.
[Post-event report here.]
13 January 2011 - Networking Evening at Macclesfield
Once again we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of MedComms specialists gathering at Sylk Restaurant and Wine Bar for the now traditional Winter evening event in the North. Once again the event was entirely free of charge thanks to the generosity of the sponsors.
[Post-event report here.]
13 January 2011 - ABPI Briefing Meeting, Macclesfield
We had a packed house at Sylk Restaurant and Wine Bar. Timed perfectly to coincide with the launch of the new 2011 ABPI Code of Practice on 1 January 2011, Steven Gray (Founding Director of Compliance Hub) talked us through the new ABPI Code, reflected on the implications for other international Codes, and spent time discussing compliance in the digital environment which is one of his areas of speciality.
[Post-event report here.]
10 January 2011 - Medical Writing Careers Session, Oxford University
This was the fifth time we have run what is now established as an annual event. Once again we had an enthusiastic audience of post-docs and DPhil/PhD students and others from the biomedical sciences departments within and around Oxford and from other Universities, who met with a number of medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option.
[Post-event report here.]
15 December 2010 - Meet the Journal Publishers, Oxford
A small but enthusiastic group who had braved the weather and travel conditions, and who had been able to avoid sickness, Christmas parties and school nativities, came to hear directly from the publishers about their journals, their unique working practices and their plans for the coming year. There were plenty of samples, lots of expertise and plenty of lively discussion in the room on the day. A larger audience were able to participate in the panel session by tuning in from around the world via UStream.
[Post-event report here.]
15 July 2010 - Networking Evening at The Living Room, Oxford
Once again we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of MedComms specialists gathering for the now traditional Summer evening event in the South.
[Post-event report here.]
8 July 2010 - Networking Evening at Sylk's, Macclesfield
Once again we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of MedComms specialists gathering for the now traditional Summer evening event in the North.
[Post-event report here.]
8 July 2010 - Lunchtime briefing, Alderley Park - Innovation in Publication Planning
This session was led by the global publications management team at AstraZeneca and comprised discussion around a number of real-life case histories, the objective being to encourage creative thinking and problem solving in the publications arena.
[Post-event report here.]
5 July 2010 - Medical Writing Careers Session, Imperial College, London
Our first careers event to be held in London and a great success again. An enthusiastic audience of post-docs and final year DPhil students from the biomedical sciences departments within and around London and other Universities met with a number medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option.
[Post-event report here.]
24-25 May 2010 - Careers Insight Workshop, Oxford University - Medical Writing in MedComms
This 2-day workshop was run with funding from Oxford University as well as the support of six leading MedComms agencies. Delegates with a genuine interest in joining the MedComms industry heard from a superb line up of speakers about the pharmaceutical industry, the role of MedComms agencies and the specifics about working as a medical writer and some of the activities they would expect to undertake. We were able to highlight related writing roles as well as other roles within the agencies such as Account Management.
[Post-event report here.]
10 February 2010 - Evening briefing, Oxford - Crystal ball gazing: the future of medical publishing
Publish and filter, not filter and publish was one of the key messages from Richard Smith as he argued his case for why medical publishing was indeed broken and needed fixing, and sketched out some scenarios for the future. A fascinating and stimulating evening which was well appreciated by the audience.
[Post-event report here.]
21 January 2010 - Networking Evening at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel
An enthusiastic crowd gathered in Oxford from as far afield as Glasgow, London, Kent and Cambridge to celebrate the start of another new year with friends and colleagues from across the MedComms business.
[Post-event report here.]
14 January 2010 - Networking Evening at the Amber Lounge, Knutsford
Despite the ongoing appalling weather conditions, an enthusiastic crowd from around South Manchester and Chester and well beyond gathered in Knutsford for a lively evening with champagne and more.
[Post-event report here.]
11 January 2010 - Medical Writing Careers Session for Oxford University Post-Docs
The event was a great success again - an enthusiastic audience of post-docs and final year DPhil students from the biomedical sciences departments within and around Oxford and other Universities met with a number medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option.
[Post-event report here.]
8 December 2009 - Evening briefing, Oxford - The changing face of cancer communications
This event was led by Professor Gordon McVie, Managing Editor of ecancermedicalscience, the open access cancer journal founded by the European Institute of Oncology in Milan. Gordon told us the eCancer story (now Europe’s leading oncology channel/community), talked about the role of open access publishing and about EU initiatives on the future of cancer communications and more.
[Post-event report here.]
19 November 2009 - Evening briefing, London - Introducing Revalidation for all Practising Doctors in the UK
Dr Ian Starke, Director of CPD, Royal Colleges of Physicians led a discussion about the introduction of revalidation for all practising doctors in the UK, and the implications for CPD provision. The formal introduction of revalidation started this week so the meeting was very timely.
[Post-event report here.]
1 October 2009 - Lunchtime briefing, London - The ins and outs of copyright licences.
A well-attended meeting discussed just what you can do and what you can't do under the terms of the licences from the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA).
[Post-event report here.]
16 July 2009 - Networking Evening at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel
A not-so-sunny evening spent inside, looking out at the lawns at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel. Still great fun, with great BBQ food and background music provided by a trio of jazz musicians.
[Post-event report here.]
2 July 2009 - Networking Evening at The Belle Epoque Brasserie, Knutsford
A lovely, sunny evening spent on the Roof Garden. This event was sponsored by Brandcast Media, Carrot Pharma Recruitment, Oxfordshire Print and Zenopa.
[Post-event report here.]
19 May 2009 - Lunchtime briefing, Wilmslow - GPP2: New Good Publication Practice.
A decade after the publication of the original guidelines, GPP2 has been developed by a steering committee of International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) members. The development was coordinated by Chris Graf who joined us to explain the background, purpose and future plans for this new initiative.
[Post-event report here.]
14 May 2009 - Evening briefing, Oxford - GPP2: New Good Publication Practice.
A decade after the publication of the original guidelines, GPP2 has been developed by a steering committee of International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) members. The development was coordinated by Chris Graf who joined us to explain the background, purpose and future plans for this new initiative.
[Post-event report here.]
11-12 May 2009 - Careers Insight Workshop, Oxford University - Medical Writing in MedComms
This 2-day workshop was run with funding from Oxford University as well as the support of six leading MedComms agencies. Delegates with a genuine interest in joining the MedComms industry heard from a superb line up of speakers about the pharmaceutical industry, the role of MedComms agencies and the specifics about working as a medical writer and some of the activities they would expect to undertake. We were able to highlight related writing roles as well as other roles within the agencies such as Account Management.
[Post-event report here.]
30 April 2009 - Lunchtime briefing, London - A new era of engagement in relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical community.
Emma D'Arcy, Leader of Strategic Insights at myPHID led a timely discussion about the new era of engagement in relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical community and Neil Jones, Director of Branded Solutions at Medical Marketing Research International (MMRI) provided an excellent overview of the role of his product, COMM-NET as an incisive aid to KOL mapping and publication planning.
[Post-event report here.]
22 January 2009 - Networking Evening at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford, Oxford
A large and splendid gathering from across medical education, medical communications and medical publishing from as far afield as Glasgow and London and Kent as well as a strong local contingent.
[Post-event report here.]
15 January 2009 - Networking Evening at the Amber Lounge, Knutsford
An enthusiastic crowd from around South Manchester and Chester and well beyond gathered in Knutsford for a lively evening which included champagne and a chocolate fountain!
[Post-event report here.]
12 January 2009 - Medical Writing Careers Session for Oxford University Post-Docs
The event was a great success again - an enthusiastic audience of post-docs and final year DPhil students from the biomedical sciences departments within and around Oxford and other Universities met with a number medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option.
[Post-event report here.]
26 November 2008 - Evening briefing, Oxford - Procurement of MedComms services: Facing up to the Challenges.
This was a very illuminating and, dare I say, thought-provoking meeting for many of us. Like it or not change is coming very fast. Whilst that will bring with it a lot of form filling and maybe some pain for many people, the emphasis of the presentations from both speakers was on how everyone should be aiming for a win:win partnership. It is not simply about cutting costs, but it is about optimizing value and working together more efficiently.
[Post-event report here.]
5 November 2008 - Evening briefing, West London - CME - what's happening out there?
24 September 2008 - Lunchtime briefing, Wilmslow - The 2008 ABPI Code of Practice – what is the impact for Med Ed?
Steven Gray provided us with an excellent and in-depth review of the new ABPI Code of Practice 2008.
[Post-event report here.]
24 July 2008 - Networking Evening at the The Bodleian Library, Oxford
The sun came out for a very civilised affair in Oxford at The Bodleian Library where a large crowd from across medical education, medical communications and medical publishing enjoyed a drink and a lite bite in the Divinity School and Quadrangle.
[Post-event report here.]
3 July 2008 - Networking Evening at The Belle Epoque Brasserie, Knutsford
This was our second evening event to be held "up north" and about 50 individuals from across the spectrum of medical education, communications and publishing gathered at The Belle Epoque Brasserie in Knutsford for a very enjoyable evening.
[Post-event report here.]
1 July 2008 - Medical Writing Careers Session for Oxford University Post-Docs
The event was a great success again - an enthusiastic audience of post-docs and final year DPhil students from the biomedical sciences departments within and around Oxford Universty met with a number medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option.
[Post-event report here.]
10 June 2008 - One Day Workshop, London - Successful Publication Planning – Strategy, Ethics and Rules of Engagement.
Liz Wager, Publications Consultant and Rosie Stather, Editorial Director at Adis Journals led a very successful full day workshop which explored all aspects of publication planning and publication strategy and also provided a large audience from across Medical Communications, Medical Education and Medical Publishing with a unique opportunity to network with their peers.
[Post-event report here.]
5 June 2008 - Evening briefing, Oxford - The New ABPI Code of Practice
Steven Gray provided us with an excellent and in-depth review of the new ABPI Code of Practice 2008. Details of the new Code have only just now been published so this was a timely meeting for us all.
[Post-event report here.]
17-18 April 2008 - Careers Insight Workshop, Oxford University - Medical Writing in MedComms
This 2-day workshop was intended as a pilot exercise and the immediate feedback has been excellent. The intention is to stay in touch with all delegates and track what happens - whether any get jobs and if so where and in what roles and how they get on.
[Post-event report here.]
19 March 2008 - Evening briefing, Uxbridge - The Changing Face of CME in Europe: where are we now?
An enthusiastic group gathered for the third and final of our highly informative presentations from Eugene Pozniak looking at the complexities of developing effective CME activity in Europe.
[Post-event report here.]
5 March 2008 - Evening briefing, Oxford - The Changing Face of CME in Europe: where are we now?
An enthusiastic group gathered for the second of our highly informative presentations from Eugene Pozniak looking at the complexities of developing effective CME activity in Europe.
[Post-event report here.]
20 February 2008 - Lunchtime briefing, Wilmslow - The Changing Face of CME in Europe: where are we now?
An enthusiastic group gathered for a highly informative presentation from Eugene Pozniak looking at the complexities of developing effective CME activity in Europe.
[Post-event report here.]
31 January 2008 - Networking Evening at the Oxford Town Hall
Once again we attracted more than 100 participants from across the MedComms spectrum and that despite bad weather (again!), severe road works outside and even worse traffic jams on the A34 leading to Oxford.
[Post-event report here.]
17 January 2008 - Networking Evening at the Amber Lounge, Knutsford
Our first evening event "up north" attracted an enthusiastic crowd from across the spectrum of different agencies and publishers around South Manchester and Chester.
[Post-event report here.]
18 December 2007 - Medical Writing Careers Session for Manchester University Post-Docs
The event was a great success - about 60 post-docs and final year PhD students from the biomedical and life sciences departments of Manchester University and others from the North West Hub of the UK GRAD programme met with some 25 medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option. We hope to repeat the event at other locations in the near future.
[Post-event report here.]
Nearly 50 of us gathered for a highly informative presentation from Joan Barnard looking at the new EFPIA Code and for a wide ranging Q&A about working with the various national and international codes.
[Post-event report here.]
More than 50 of us gathered for a highly informative presentation from Joan Barnard looking at the new EFPIA Code and for a wide ranging Q&A about working with the various national and international codes.
[Post-event report here.]
26 July 2007 - Networking Evening at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel in Sandford on the outskirts of Oxford
The appalling weather over the previous few days completely failed to dampen spirits for more than 100 of us at the summer BBQ.
[Post-event report here.]
11 July 2007 - Medical Writing Careers Session for Oxford University Post-Docs
The event was a great success - some 70 post-docs and final year DPhil students from the biomedical sciences departments within Oxford Universty met with some 25 medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presented medical writing as an attractive career option. We hope to repeat the event at other locations in the near future.
[Post-event report here.]
4 July 2007 - Lunchtime briefing, Wilmslow - Ghosts in the machine?
About 80 of us gathered for our first meeting in Cheshire and Liz Wager (Sideview) led a presentation and discussion entitled "Ghosts in the Machine?"
[Post-event report here.]
28 June 2007 - Lunchtime briefing, Oxford
Dr Kamran Abbasi (CEO Onmedica, RSM Journal Editor and cricketing expert and blogger, ex-BMJ and ex-Dr Fosters) led a session looking at how Docs and other HCPs are working online and how the communications and publishing mix is changing.
[Post-event report here.]
31 May 2007 - Pub-meet at The Trout at Wolvercote, Oxford
No admin, no registration, just an informal gathering on the night for those of us who felt so inclined. The Trout has long been a favourite of Morse and many other Oxford residents and has recently undergone a major refurbishment to mixed reviews, which were likewise reflected amongst our own group. It certainly looks smart, though, and you can't beat the location.
26 April 2007 - Networking Evening at the QI Building, Oxford.
(Almost) 100 of us gathered for the second time at the QI Club in central Oxford...
[Post-event report here.]
29 March 2007 - Lunchtime briefing, Oxford - Ghosts in the machine?
22 February 2007 - Pub-meet at the Fishes, North Hinksey Village Nr Botley, Oxford.
No admin, no registration, just an informal gathering on the night for those of us who felt so inclined. A small but enthusiastic group of us relaxed after work in one of Oxford's better pubs - coming from as far afield as London and Henley for the occasion - and several of us stayed on for an excellent meal. No photos this time!
25 January 2007 - Networking Evening at the the QI Building, Oxford.
Spread the word, please encourage all relevent others to join in and share their own views
Closing date 31 January 2012
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