STUCON 2021 is an in-depth student conference that focuses on clinical best practice, education and research.

Aimed at undergraduate paramedic students, the conference offered an insight into current and emerging knowledge from across the globe. Speakers included a mix of students, researchers, educators and industry practitioners for a truly enlightening experience. STUCON 2021 was an online conference, hosted in July 2021.

Panel Discussion – Making the most of your student/preceptor relationship: Managing up to improve your placement experience

Hosted by: Buck Reed

Panel: Liam Langford, Alisha McFarlane and Mandy Edmonston-Fearn

Biographies:

Buck Reed - Buck Reed is a Lecturer in Paramedicine at the Western Sydney University and a Registered Paramedic practicing in New South Wales. Buck is Chair of the NSW/ACT Committee of the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Buck has a strong interest in paramedic resilience, professionalism and education. He holds a Master of International Health Management and is completing a PhD focusing on paramedic registration and its impact on paramedic identity. Buck was the first rurally-based paramedic to receive a Churchill Fellowship and the first paramedic accepted to the NSW Health Rural Research Capacity Building Program. Connect with Buck on Twitter: @Buck_Reed

Liam Langford - Liam is passionate about unlocking paramedicine’s potential to improve individual and community health outcomes. Throughout his paramedicine career, he has had the privilege of enacting this passion through various roles: Intensive Care Paramedic (ACTAS), Lecturer (ACU), Clinical Facilitator, and Chapter Chair for Paramedics Australasia. His interests include developing the paramedicine profession, education, and ambulance service leadership. The latter interest is seeing him pursue a Doctorate at UNSW with the aim to create an Ambulance Service Leadership Framework. He also has a dog named Barney and a cat called Nini-Legs-in-The-Air. Both love making impromptu visits to his Zoom meetings. Connect with Liam on Twitter: @LiamLangford

Alisha McFarlane - Alisha is an experienced intensive care paramedic and current lecturer in paramedicine at Charles Sturt University. Alisha is passionate about gender equality in the profession with her current research focussing on the sexism experiences of female paramedics in Australia. Alisha is also the current chair of the Australasian College of Paramedicine clinical standards committee and a member of the women in paramedicine committee.

Mandy Edmonston-Fearn - Mandy is a Registered Paramedic practicing in Western Australia. Mandy is Chair of the WA Committee of the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Mandy holds a Bachelor of Paramedical Science and Master of Paramedical Science (Critical Care) from Edith Cowan University. Mandy is passionate about Paramedic education and professional learning. She enjoys mentoring and on-the job training. Prior to graduating from Edith Cowan University Mandy was President of Western Australian Student Paramedics (WASP), which sparked an interest in student Paramedic education and gave an insight into the challenge’s student Paramedics face whilst in University and transitioning to the workforce. Connect with Mandy on Twitter: mandy_edmonston