Melanie Clarkson BSc (Hons), PgCE, MSc, SFHEA
Senior Lecturer
Summary
A distinguished leader in advancing practice education, not only in Therapeutic Radiography but across all the Radiography specialties. Melanie spearheads transformative projects with key stakeholders such as the Centre for Advancing Practice, NHS England and the College of Radiographers.
She holds substantial and influential roles within the College of Radiographers (CoR), the Association of Advanced Practice Educators (AAPE), the Advanced Practice Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Academy UK (APRA-UK), the International Community of Practice in Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy (iCoP APRT)and the Council of Deans for Health advanced practice group.
Her contributions are further reflected in her role as a reviewer for NHSE Centre for Advancing Practice, evaluating advancing practice credentials and programme accreditations.
Within SHU, she is the programme lead for the accredited MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Radiotherapy and Oncology programme.
About
Melanie holds the role of Programme Director for the accredited MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) in Radiotherapy and Oncology, as well as the PgC Enhanced Level Practice in Radiotherapy and Oncology at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, UK. A distinguished leader in advancing practice education, not only in Radiation Therapy but across the Radiography specialties. Melanie spearheads transformative projects such as the e-portfolio-supported pathway for practitioner recognition in collaboration with England's Centre for Advancing Practice, socialisation of enhanced practice and innovative curriculum development.
Her influence extends to multiple roles within the College of Radiographers (CoR), including active participation in the Radiotherapy Advisory Group (RAG), an assessor and member of the Accreditation and Approval Board (AAB), and leadership as a facilitator for the Advancing Practice in Radiography Special Interest Group (APRADSIG).
As a committee member of the Association of Advanced Practice Educators (AAPE), Melanie represents Therapeutic Radiographers and all Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and acts as the International Lead for the AAPE Community of Practice.
Nationally, she led the development of the non-surgical oncology advanced practice credential, a ground-breaking multidisciplinary framework designed to advance education and training for practitioners in oncology, due for publication by NHS England (NHSE) in 2025.
Her contributions are further reflected in her role as a reviewer for NHSE Centre for Advancing Practice, evaluating advancing practice credentials and programme accreditations. She also collaborates with the Council of Deans for Health on advanced practice initiatives.
Additionally, Melanie is an integral member of the International Community of Practice in Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy (iCoP APRT) on advanced practice initiatives.
Recently appointed as the Deputy Director of the Advanced Practice Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Academy UK (APRA-UK), Melanie continues to drive innovation and excellence in advancing practice, making her a pivotal figure in shaping the future of healthcare education and practice.
Teaching
School of Health and Social Care
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Projects:
Project lead (CfAP Funded) - For the e-portfolio route for recognition for advanced practice with the Centre for Advancing Practice NHSE
Project lead (NHSE/SCoR funded)- Championing EnhancEd practice in Radiography (CHEERs)
Collaborative partner (NHSE/SCoR funded)- Workforce and Education needs- Scoping the Enhanced, Advanced and Radiography Consultant cHallenges and opportunities (WE-SEARCH)
Educational supervisor Therapeutic Radiographers for the e-portfolio route for recognition for advanced practice with the Centre for Advancing Practice NHSE.
Subject area or group:
- Radiotherapy and Oncology
- Advanced Clinical Practice
- Advancing Practice
Courses:
- I teach on MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Radiotherapy and Oncology and PgC Enhanced Level Practice Radiotherapy and Oncology
- I am the course leader for MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Radiotherapy and Oncology
Modules:
- Expert Practice for Extended Roles
- Advancing Specialist Practice
- Principles of enhanced level practice in oncology.
- Personal and Professional development for enhanced practice
- Application of pathophysiology and pharmacology in non-surgical oncology
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Current research projects:
- Concept, initiation, development and implementation of the non surgical oncology advanced practice framework.
Publications
Journal articles
Clarkson, M., & Dimopoulos, M. (2025). . Radiation Therapist, 34 (1), 80-87.
Clarkson, M., Khine, R., & McDonald, F. (2025). . Radiography, 31 (1), 281-289.
Clarkson, M., & Khine, R. (2024). . Radiography, 30 (Supp 3), S12-S13.
Clarkson, M., McDonald, F., & Khine, R. (2024). . International Journal for Advancing Practice, 2 (4), 185-190.
Snaith, B., Clarkson, M., Whitlock, K., Carr, R., Compton, E., Bradshaw, K., & Mills, K. (2024). . Radiography, 30 (5), 1243-1248.
Duffton, A., Harnett, N., McNair, H.A., Bennett, E., Clarkson, M., Guilherme Couto, J., ... Tsang, Y. (2024). . Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 30.
Clarkson, M., & Khine, R. (2024). . Malta Journal of Health Sciences, 11 (1), 4-7.
Clarkson, M., Mills, K., & Snaith, B. (2024). . Imaging and Oncology.
Macarthur, V., & Clarkson, M. (2023). . International Journal for Advancing Practice, 1 (3), 111-116.
Clarkson, M., Heads, G., Hodgson, D., & Probst, H. (2019). . Radiography, 25 (1), 4-9.
Thompson, E., & Clarkson, M. (2016). . Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15 (3), 232-238.
McLean, M., McCabe, P., & Clarkson, M. (2015). . Imaging and Therapy Practice, 18-22.
Bayles, H., Collins, M., & Clarkson, M. (2015). . Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15 (1), 76-84.
Clarkson, M., & Hodgson, D. (2006). . Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 5 (2), 97-107.
Clarkson, M. (2000). . Synergy, 17-19.
Conference papers
Clarkson, M., & Snaith, B. (2024). . Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 55 (1), S13.
Clarkson, M., Khine, R., & McDonald, F. (2024). . Radiotherapy and Oncology, 194 (1), S5826-S5828.
Van Zyl, D., Clarkson, M., Hanwell, J., Cooley, B., Pal, A., Lai-Kwon, J.E., & Stapleton, S. (2021). . Annals of Oncology, 32 (S5), S1259.
Clarkson, M. (2018). . In Annual Radiotherapy Conference, Newcastle, 27 January 2017 - 29 January 2017.
Clarkson, M., & Hodgson, D. (2006). Cancer patients’ perceptions of a ‘breast gown’. A qualitative study. In Radiotherapy in Practice 3, Sheffield, 9 September 2006 - 10 September 2006.
Scholarly editions
Hassan, S. (Ed.). (2024). . The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR).
Khine, R., & McDonald, F. (Eds.). (2023). Setting up an Advanced Clinical Practice training programme in non-surgical oncology. RADMAG.
Presentations
Clarkson, M. (2024). . Presented at: Leading together for sustainability in Advanced Practice Education, Online, 2024
Clarkson, M., Reid, D., Francis-Wenger, H., & Molloy, O. (2023). An experiential view of the supported e-portfolio with the centre for advancing practice. Presented at: A future worth advancing, online
Clarkson, M., & Snaith, B. (2023). What does enhanced practice mean for advanced practice? Presented at: A future worth advancing, online
Clarkson, M., & Snaith, B. (2023). Evidencing advanced practice for accreditation in specialist roles. Presented at: A future worth advancing, Online
Clarkson, M., Roberts, N., Dring, H., & Ralph, S. (2023). Consultant Practice Roles in Radiotherapy: A Leeds Perspective. Presented at: 4th Biennial Global Leading the Way in Radiography and Radiation Therapy Advanced Practice (LTWRAP 2023), SIngapore
Clarkson, M., & MacArthur, V. (2023). Exploring Collaboration in the Implementation of a National Assessment Strategy: Perspectives of Advanced Practice Educators. Presented at: AAPE UK, Online
Clarkson, M. (2021). . Presented at: Radiate Virtual Conference, Online, 2021
Clarkson, M. (2020). . Presented at: Annual Radiotherapy Conference, Hilton Brighton Metropole, 2020
Clarkson, M. (2017). . Presented at: UK Imaging and Oncology Congress, Liverpool, 2017
Posters
Clarkson, M., Henstock, L., & Stuart, K. (2024). . Presented at: Leading together for sustainability in Advanced Practice Education, Online, 2024
Clarkson, M., Henstock, L., & Stuart, K. (2024). . Presented at: Leading together for sustainability in Advanced Practice Education, Online, 2024
Clarkson, M. (2024). . Presented at: UKIO 2024 – Vision and values: Putting people first, Liverpool, UK
Whitlock, K., & Clarkson, M. (2024). . Presented at: UKIO 2024 – Vision and values: Putting people first, Liverpool, UK, 2024
Clarkson, M. (2018). . Presented at: Achieving excellence in radiography research and education, Leeds, 2018
Clarkson, M., Cutts, K., Morley, A., Schwarz, T., & Taylor, A. (2018). . Presented at: Learning Teaching and Academic conference, Sheffield, 2018
Clarkson, M. (2010). . Presented at: Radiotherapy in Practice 5, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 2010
Other activities
- Reviewer for the Centre of Advancing Practice, NHSe
- Deputy Director of the Advanced Practice Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Academy UK.
- Lead for the working group for the Non-Surgical Oncology Advanced Clinical Practice Curriculum
- External Examiner the University of Teesside for the End Point Assessment for the MSc ACP Apprenticeship, MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, MSc Advanced Critical Care and MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Paediatrics.
- Selected member of the Radiotherapy Advisory Group, Society of Radiographers.
- Selected member of the Assessment and Accreditation Board, Society of Radiographers.
- College of Radiographers Assessor
- Elected Committee Member of the Association of Advanced Practice Educators (AAPE)
- Lead for the International group of advanced practice educators linked with AAPE.
- Member of the conference planning group for AAPE.
- Working party member of End Point Assessment (EPA) Higher Degree Apprenticeship with AAPE
- Member of the International Council of Nurses (Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Nurse Network)
- Member of the International Community of Practice in Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy (iCoP APRT)
- Member of the Council of Deans for Health Advanced Practice project group
- Member of the UK Imaging and Oncology Conference (UKIO) conference working party
- Journal reviewer- Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice (JRP) (last review 2023)
- Journal reviewer- Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology (TIPSRO) (last review 2023)
- Journal reviewer- Radiography (last review 2024)
Postgraduate supervision
Subject matter expert support- European perspective on advancing practice in radiation therapy and experiences of incivility by therapeutic radiography students on clinical placement.