Emma Vaux, GenerationQ fellow

Emma was appointed Consultant Nephrologist and Physician at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in 2003. In 2011 she took up the post of Clinical Director of Acute Medicine and in 2013 she was made Programme Director of Quality Improvement. She leads an ambitious programme to establish a culture of continuous quality improvement across the trust. Emma is also Associate Medical Director for the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians’ Training Board.

Emma completed her medical degree at the University of London in 1990, earning a degree in biochemistry during the course of her studies. She was awarded a doctorate from the University of Oxford in 2001 and completed a postgraduate certificate in teaching and learning in higher and professional education at the University of London in 2007. Emma has been a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians since 2007.

Continuous learning and development

Going into GenerationQ, Emma is looking forward to the combination of academic study and personal development. 'Continuous learning is something that’s very important to me and I know I’ll enjoy the academic rigour that the programme demands.

'I’m also excited about learning more about myself and how I can be more effective across all of my work as a clinician and as a leader. I’m particularly interested in developing greater self-resilience, as trying to inspire and motivate others can be incredibly rewarding but also challenging and energy-draining at times.'

Peer to peer support

Emma says that working with a diverse group of peers will be a valuable asset to her work, by providing her with fresh perspectives and a strong network of support. 'Listening to other people’s experiences and viewpoints can be incredibly powerful in shaping your own beliefs and approaches. It’ll be great to have a sounding board for new ideas and sometimes it’s helpful just to get confirmation that your current way of doing something is the right way.'