Chair: Dr Rhoda Meyer
(Stellenbosch University)
Committee:
Prof Lynette van der Merwe
(University of the Free State)
Prof Jacky van Wyk
(University of Cape Town)
Vision and mISsion
Our vision is to foster the growth and development of a Faculty Development community of practice (COP) in the SAAHE region. Such a group will serve as a support framework for health professions educators in their increasingly complex roles (Leslie et al, 2013) and can strengthen support to HPE across programmes and institutions.
Mission
Our mission is to collaborate with others on research-based best practices in Faculty Development to create context-appropriate programmes/interventions that are responsive to the needs of faculty, students, and society.
Background
Faculty development is an important component of health professions education (HPE) to equip healthcare educators i.e., faculty and clinical teachers with the competencies to apply educational principles and practice as they train the next generation of healthcare professionals. The changes in the HPE context both globally and nationally, requires adaptability, innovation, and accountability to changing societal needs, service delivery requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Faculty development thus becomes central in producing health professions graduates who can navigate and serve in this complex and ever-changing environment.
It is envisaged that the Faculty Development SIG will offer a valuable opportunity for members of SAAHE to engage in conversations on enhancing the value of faculty development programmes for HPE, and implementing research-based best practices to advance faculty development among SAAHE members and their respective institutions and contexts. Strengthening the role of faculty in teaching, learning, and assessment, has benefits for students, institutions, and health professions education in South Africa, as it will offer an opportunity to develop and nurture pedagogical skills that will help educators to be responsive to students’ learning needs in the context of the changing healthcare landscape. We also believe that a SIG will assist in taking this focus area forward through networking and collaboration.
SAAHE Faculty Development SIG: Growing Together as Health Professions Educators
The dynamic healthcare landscape requires skilled clinicians to address society’s evolving needs. As health professions education (HPE) adapts to prepare future healthcare professionals for an increasingly complex working world, the role of educators in this field has never been more crucial. Health professions educators are called not only to teach but to shape the future of HPE through educational scholarship and mentorship (Steinert et al., 2016; Irby & O’Sullivan, 2018). Faculty development is about more than acquiring skills—it’s about cultivating a professional identity that empowers educators to navigate this dynamic terrain and leave a meaningful legacy.
In 2025, the SAAHE Faculty Development SIG will embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery and growth, using the metaphor of a tree to explore and nurture our professional identities. Just as a tree grows from seeds, forming deep roots, branches, flowers, and fruit, so too must our identity as HPE educators and faculty developers evolve through experience, reflection, and collaboration.
We invite all health professions educators and faculty developers to join us for three transformative initiatives designed to foster connection, reflection, and growth:
- Session 1: Who am I? (Understanding our roots)
- Webinar
- 25 March 2025, 12:30–13:30
- Session 2: What do I need to thrive? (Strengthening the trunk and growing new branches)
- Workshop/Presentation at the SAAHE Conference
- 1–4 July 2025
- Session 3: What legacy will I leave? (Harvesting the fruit and planting the seeds)
- Webinar
- 2 October 2025, 12:30–13:30
Through interactive and engaging sessions, we will explore who we are as educators, the legacy we wish to leave, and what we need to thrive in our roles. Join us as we grow together, creating strong roots and a vibrant professional identity that will shape the future of health professions education.
References
Steinert Y, Mann K, Anderson B, Barnett BM, Centeno A, Naismith L, Prideaux D, Spencer J, Tullo E, Viggiano T, Ward H, Dolmans D. A systematic review of faculty development initiatives designed to enhance teaching effectiveness: A 10-year update: BEME Guide No. 40. Med Teach. 2016 Aug;38(8):769-86. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2016.1181851. Epub 2016 Jul 15. PMID: 27420193.
Irby DM, O’Sullivan PS. Developing and rewarding teachers as educators and scholars: remarkable progress and daunting challenges. Med Educ. 2018 Jan;52(1):58-67. doi: 10.1111/medu.13379. Epub 2017 Aug 3. PMID: 28771776.
To join any of our SIG’s and obtain SAAHE membership, please complete the membership form