If you are seeking academic support and guidance during your studies, then your Deputy Year Directors are here for you. They work closely with the Student Experience Coordinator to facilitate welcome, induction and transition activities alongside a range of community building events throughout the academic year to encourage a sense of belonging and help ensure you have a positive experience.
Katie Brown, Year 1 Deputy Year Director
Katie is currently on maternity leave but Year 1 students will have met her during Welcome Week. Katie’s maternity leave cover will be confirmed soon and in the meantime please direct any enquiries to the MBChB Year 1 inbox.
email MBChB.Year1@ed.ac.uk
Sam Hoare, Year 2 Deputy Director
I’m really excited to be the new Deputy Director for Year 2 of the MBChB programme. It’s a great opportunity to work with John (the Year 2 Director) and all the programme staff to support you during your second year of studies. I’m most looking forward to getting to know you and working with you to ensure that you get the most out of and enjoy Year 2 of the programme.
Please feel free to email me directly at any time or through the MTO and student support services if you want to set up a meeting. I plan on setting up informal drop in sessions where you can ask me anything or just say hi in person. I will also be meeting with your Year 2 student reps regularly as well.
Top tip for medical students in Year 2:
3 top tips from me! Number 1 – give us feedback as often as possible, it’s an important skill to learn and will help us improve the programme for you. Number 2 – communicate regularly with the programme staff and seek help earlier rather than later. Number 3 – look after yourself outside of the classroom, get lots of fresh air and stay in touch with friends and family.
Email Sam at samuel.hoare@ed.ac.uk
Agata Dunsmore, Year 4 Deputy Year Director
This is a new role so we are all finding our feet but I am really looking forward to supporting you guys. That’s a bit vague I know but it means that I am able to be creative. I noticed a few curriculum gaps and organised some teaching for you.
I run a coffee and chat monthly as a drop-in for you to ask any questions including anything academic you are struggling with (I’m at the Jex Blake, 5-6 on the last Tuesday of the month). I also join in some of your social things which is great fun!
I hope just to be visible, approachable and present. I have the whole year overview so I can assist in most things, academic or otherwise. I can do things on a one-to-one basis and also provide extra teaching/events for the whole year. I am a GP so have a wide knowledge base but if I don’t know anything, I can find out.
If you want to get in touch with me you can email me or pop in on the last Tuesday of the month to the Jex Blake at 5-6pm.
Top tip for medical students in Year 4:
Oh, just be yourself
Email Agata at Agata.Dunsmore@ed.ac.uk
Jess Gurney, Year 5 Deputy Year Director
My new role involves a range of activities including student support, student experience and assessment among other things. I am most looking forward to engaging with Year 5 students in a variety of ways to both help support you as individuals but also collectively by enacting changes that enhance your student experience.
My role will provide additional support to Year 5 students in conjunction with your student advisors. I aim to be available and approachable as a point of contact within the faculty for you. I am also working collaboratively with the other Deputy Year Directors to come up with creative additions that enhance what already exists between the formal university provision and student-led initiatives and societies.
My university working days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and I am available by email at jgurney@ed.ac.uk
I am happy to meet with you either in person or online and we can arrange meetings at a mutually convenient time.
Top tip for Year 5 medical students:
Year 5 is a very busy year with short rotations through many specialties. Try to keep on top of your studying as you go, to allow you to make the most of your often brief clinical experiences. Additionally, Year 5 contains some potentially emotive and challenging areas of medicine for example palliative care and oncology. It is human to find some of these experiences difficult and support is available to you if you need it through your student advisor and myself.
Email Jess at jgurney@ed.ac.uk
Hilary Young, Year 6 Deputy Year Director
I’m working until February as Year 6 Deputy Director. I’ve been enjoying meeting students who are near to graduating. I work mainly in Year 2 so it’s been great seeing the development.
This new role should provide an extra layer of support for students, someone to give an academic experience and who has been where the students have been, and hopefully able to provide practical solutions.
Reaching out via email is the best way to get in touch with me but I’m also happy to be approached on campus. I’m hoping to be able to attend some face to face events.
Top tip for Year 6 medical students:
Once you qualify, I promise it’s worth it. Take things a step at a time.
Email Hilary at hyoung1@ed.ac.uk
