Dr Jonathan Darling

Profile

Vice-President for Education and Professional Development for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). Chair of the School of Medicine Health and Conduct Committee. Leadership and scholarship in paediatric medical education in the University of Leeds. Jonathan graduated from the University of Manchester, and did some initial training in adult medicine before moving into paediatric training to consultant level. En route he completed an MD in International Child Health at the Institute of Child Health London, which involved fieldwork in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), and did a secondment to the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. He trained in well-known UK paediatric centres, including the John Radcliffe in Oxford, Guy’s Evelina Children’s Hospital London, and the (now) Leeds Children’s Hospital, where he is a consultant general paediatrician. He was appointed Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics and Child Health in the University of Leeds in 1998, and Associate Clinical Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health and Medical Education in 2019. He has a longstanding interest in medical education, and has developed particular expertise in educational management and delivery, curriculum change, assessment (including external examining), and student support. His roles have included Head of Year 4 of the flagship Leeds MBChB programme, and Director of Student Support for the School of Medicine. He is joint author of a popular paediatric textbook (Lecture Notes: Paediatrics, 10th edition), and subeditor for the European Mastercourse in Paediatrics. He remains an active paediatrician, with interests in Safeguarding (in which he held the significant citywide role of joint Designated Doctor until March 2024), and Bladder and Bowel problems in children. His research interests include: the role of children and young people in clinical teaching and assessment; standard setting in knowledge tests; and technology-enhanced learning.

Recent and current positions

Associate Clinical Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health and Medical Education, University of Leeds School of Medicine, 2019-date (previously Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics and Child Health from 1998); Vice-President for Education and Professional Development for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) 2021-date; Chair of the School of Medicine Health and Conduct Committee, 2022-date; Honorary Consultant in General Paediatrics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 1998-date (St James’s University Hospital 1998 - 2010, Leeds General Infirmary 2010 - date); Convenor for PEdSIG – Paediatric Educators Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2015-2022; Designated Doctor for Safeguarding Children, Leeds Clinical Commissioning Groups (joint), 2015-2024; External Examiner, University of Sheffield, 2015-2019; Director of Student Support School of Medicine, 2017 to 2022; Associate Director Student Support (Years 3-5 MBChB), School of Medicine, 2014-2017; Academic Regional Advisor for Yorkshire, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2010-2018; Head of Division of Women’s and Children’s Health, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, 2010-date; External Examiner, University of Leicester, 2010-2013; Head of Year 4, MBChB, School of Medicine, University of Leeds– led implementation of new curriculum, 2008-2014; External examiner, Barts and The London School of Medicine, University of London, 2007-2010; Course Manager, Paediatrics and Child Health/Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Yr 4 MBChB) - Chair of Course Management Team, Chair of Examination Committee, 2001-2008; Subject Reviewer (Medicine), Quality Assurance Agency, UK, 1999-2004; 1998 onwards.

Responsibilities

• Head of Division of Women's and Children's Health, Leeds Institute of Medical Education
• Chair, Health and Conduct Committee, School of Medicine

Research interests

The role of children and young people in clinical teaching and assessment; standard setting in knowledge tests; and technology enhanced learning.

Qualifications

• 2009 University of Leeds Developmental Teaching Fellowship
• 1999 PCLTHE Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (University of Lee
• 1997 MD University of Manchester School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine (MD doctorate)
• 1986 MBChB University of Manchester School of Medicine MBChB

Professional memberships

• 2000 FRCPCH Fellow Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
• 2007 FHEA Fellow Higher Education Academy
• 1990 MRCP(UK) Membership, Royal College of Physicians (UK)

Student education

Teaches in the Paediatrics module of Year 4 MBChB.

Chair of Health and Conduct Committee, School of Medicine.

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Medical Education