Professor Iain Beardsell
Emergency physician. Speaker. Host. Educator.
I’m an emergency physician and educator in Southampton. I’ve worked as an NHS consultant at University Hospital Southampton since May 2008 and continue to work two clinical shifts each week. Here you’ll find writing, podcast conversations and learning tools, alongside my work as a conference speaker and host.
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Iain on stage
A genuine conference photograph will be added here once the image and permission are confirmed.
Clinical practice & education
Grounded in emergency medicine.
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Teaching and conversation
A genuine photograph of Iain teaching or hosting will be added once permission is confirmed.
My work combines direct patient care with senior clinical oversight of a busy emergency department: leading resuscitation and trauma teams, supporting colleagues and keeping track of competing priorities.
I’m Honorary Professor of Medical Education at the University of Southampton. My clinical and teaching work draws on the same habits: listening carefully, making sense of complex information and explaining decisions clearly.
On shift, that means working with a team under pressure. In a lecture, interview or live event, it means responding to the people in the room and helping a conversation move forward.
More about my clinical and education workSpeaking & hosting
Good conversations. Useful learning.
Speaking
I welcome invitations to speak about emergency medicine, clinical leadership and education. I draw on everyday practice, shape each talk for its audience and leave room for questions.
Hosting
I introduce speakers, link sessions and help the conversation continue across a conference. Hosting brings together preparation, thinking on my feet and giving other people space to contribute.
Writing & podcasts
Thinking out loud at St Emlyn’s.
Some questions need more than a quick post. At St Emlyn’s, I write and talk about emergency medicine, education and the human side of clinical work.
I’m a podcast host and member of the editorial team, working with colleagues and guests to explore clinical questions and share different perspectives.
Explore my writing & podcasts
Recent writing & conversations
I talk with Sara Crager about mental models, deliberate practice and teaching clinical reasoning.
A conversation with Simon Carley about useful feedback and trauma team leadership.
A letter on the work of medical education.
Medical education
Keep the learning going.
Whether you found me through a talk, a podcast or a post, this is a place to explore a little further.
I’m a podcast host at St Emlyn’s, where I’ve produced more than 290 episodes. My work spans hosting, producing and editing, alongside senior editorial work.
A few places to start
The BMJ · Letter · 25 August 2026
From St Emlyn’s
Explore an article and a podcast conversation about trauma team leadership.
St Emlyn’s · Article · 29 March 2022
Trauma team leadership — the podcastSt Emlyn’s · Podcast · 8 July 2015
Making more of medical podcasts.
I created MedPod Learn to help clinicians revisit medical podcasts through summaries, questions and reflection.
Try a sample episode with learning notes, five questions and a reflection to see how it works.
