1. Faculty of Medicine and Health
  2. School of Medicine
  3. People
  4. Profile
Professor Paul D Baxter

Professor Paul D Baxter

  • Position: Professor of Biostatistics & Education
  • Areas of expertise: Biostatistics; Quantitative Research Methods; Leadership and Quality Assurance in Student Education
  • Email: P.D.Baxter@leeds.ac.uk
  • Phone: +44(0)113 343 9078
  • Location: LICAMM, Specialist Science Education Department, Worsley 8.01j

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds as a Lecturer in Statistics (in the School of Mathematics) in 2003 directly after completing my PhD at the University of Essex.

In 2009 I moved to LICAMM in the School of Medicine as a Senior Research Fellow in Biostatistics. After a period of three years focused on statistical methods for applied health research, I was promoted to Associate Professor in Biostatistics. From 2011-2017 I was Programme Leader for the MSc Epidemiology & Biostatistics (laterly MSc Health Data Analytics).  

From 2012-2015 I was Deputy LICAMM Lead for Student Education and subsequently, LICAMM Lead for Student Education. From 2015-2018 I was the School of Medicine Director of Classified Undergraduate Studies and a member of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Taught Student Education Committee. From 2015 I have Co-chaired the School of Medicine Undergraduate Special Circumstances Committee.

From 2018-2021 I was Head of Department of the newly formed Department of Specialist Science Education in LICAMM (comprising some 25 academic staff with a focus on excellence in Student Education).

In 2020 I was promoted to Professor of Biostatistics & Education.

In 2021 I was appointed to the role of Director of Education & Training, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.

In 2022 I was appointed Chair of the School of Medicine MBChB Assessment Boards.

In 2024, I was appointed Chair of the University Student Health & Conduct Committee.

Outside of Leeds, I have had a longstanding involvement with my professional body and learned society, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), attaining my professional status as Chartered Statistician in 2010. I was appointed the RSS Guy Lecturer for Schools in 2011/12, led and delivered a national CPD course in statistical modelling using R approximately biannually for the RSS 2010-2018. I was elected to the RSS Professional Affairs Committee (PAC) from 2015-2018. The latter two years I have served as chair of PAC and RSS Vice-President for Professional Affairs, leading a major revision of accreditation standards for degrees in statistics. I am currently (2022-) lead assessor for RSS degree accreditations.

Responsibilities

  • Director of Education & Training, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics
  • Chair, School of Medicine Undergraduate Special Circumstances Committee & MBChB Progression Board
  • Chair, University Student Health & Conduct Committee

Research interests

My scholarship involves the integration of my experience in programme development, my domain expertise in statistical analysis and my leadership roles in Student Education. In particular, I am interested in: (i) statistical analysis and robust evaluation of scholarship in student education; (ii) the triangulation and analysis of student survey data; (ii) the development of CPD programmes and fully online education and (iv) internationalisation and innovative approaches to expansion of professionally regulated degree programmes.  

Qualifications

  • PhD
  • BSc
  • PGCLTHE

Professional memberships

  • Chartered Statistician (CStat), Royal Statistical Society
  • Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Student education

During my time at Leeds I have led modules at all level from 0-5M in statistical methods and applications. At postgraduate level, I teach professional skills training and supervise research projects. I also tutor statistical methods to PhD students as part of LICAMM’s academy programmes. At undergraduate level I tutor and lecture on quantitative research methods for medical students and allied health professionals. Nationally, I have delivered CPD training in statistical modelling using R software to a broad range of researchers and analysts in the public and private sectors.

Research groups and institutes

  • Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
  • Specialist Science Education

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>
Projects
    <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/149-licamm-severe-to-profound-hearing-loss-and-sleep-quality.">LICAMM Severe to profound hearing loss and sleep quality.</a></li>