Strategy
ALRSGBI Academy Strategy 2025 - 2027
Aligned to ALRSGBI presidential strategy 2025 – 2027
Introduction
Executive Summary, Mission & Vision
Executive Summary
The ALRSGBI Academy is the educational and trainee development arm of ALRSGBI. This strategy aligns with the Presidential Strategic Plan (2025-2027) and operationalises its priorities through structured training delivery, regional infrastructure development, research expansion, digital education, mentorship, and trainee leadership.
Using the Objective-Strategy-Tactics (OST) framework, the Academy will strive to:
- Improve access to laparoscopic and robotic training across all UK and Ireland regions
- Deliver structured robotic curricula and simulation hubs
- Expand research, audit, and innovation output
- Strengthen trainee engagement and leadership
- Enhance digital education and professional development
- Support inclusion, wellbeing, and sustainability
- Contribute directly to ALRSGBI’s national advocacy goals
Mission Statement
To deliver structured, high-quality laparoscopic and robotic surgical training through education, research, mentorship, and innovation, supporting the broader mission of ALRSGBI to improve patient care across the UK and Ireland.
Vision Statement
To be the leading structured training society for minimal access surgery trainees, developing the next generation of laparoscopic and robotic surgeons while advancing innovation, inclusivity, and educational excellence.
Strategic Priorities
Strategic Priorities 2025–2027
A
Education & Training
Core Objective
To improve access to robotic and laparoscopic training across the UK and Ireland. Develop regional training hubs and structured simulation curricula for CST and StR trainees.
Key Academy Deliverables
1. Regional Robotic & Laparoscopic Training Hubs
- Work with trainee societal groups: Dukes’, Roux, ASiT to deliver
- Joint proposal development and engagement with Heads of School
- Integration into bootcamps; collaboration with RCS & JCST for curricular inclusion
- Documented generic robotic training framework
- Multi-specialty training integration (urology, gynaecology, paediatrics)
2. LapPass® Expansion
- Deliver LapPass® in 80% of regions by 2027
- Increase Academy membership by 10% per region
- Continue LapPass® Malta (autonomous by 2027)
- Explore international expansion; undergraduate LapPass® pathway
3. RoboPass®
- Pilot by 2026
- Fully functional quarterly examinations ideally by end of 2027 in multiple regions
4. Subspecialty Development
Urology
- Align with BAUS priorities
- Robotic training day
- Membership expansion to 10 members
- Research & educational videos
Paediatrics
- Interview workshop
- Emergency DGH practical course (with Karl Storz)
- LapPass® delivery
- Paediatric emergency surgery research
Gynaecology
- Recruit 10 trainees
- Deliver LapPass®
- Research & video development
5. Undergraduate Engagement
- Increase undergraduate membership
- Encourage LapPass® participation
6. Podcast Development
- Through the Keyhole Podcast
- Deliver additional season by 2027
B
Research & Innovation
Objectives
- Complete four ongoing research projects by October 2026
- Develop new prospective research initiatives (e.g., RoboPass®)
- Complete 1 national audit by 2027
- Complete Sustainability in Surgery Survey and develop new initiatives
Strategy: Embed research within all training initiatives and promote trainee-led innovation.
- Prospective data collection and publish pilot programme outcomes
- Continue ‘Article of the Week’ – change to ‘Article of the Month’
- Collaborate with industry and academic institutions
- Support abstract submissions to ASM
C
Advocacy & Public Engagement
Objectives
- Promote equitable access to robotic training across regions
- Support safe and structured adoption of robotic platforms
- Contribute educational data to support evidence-based policy
Strategy: Align Academy outputs with national advocacy efforts involving NHS, GIRFT and NICE.
- Develop standardised robotic training frameworks
- Generate data supporting training impact, published recently in Surgeon journal
D
Professional Development & Inclusion
Objectives
- Develop structured mentorship
- Support career progression across all training stages
- Promote diversity, wellbeing, and inclusive leadership through Welfare and Support Us leads
1. Mentorship & Career Support
- Mentor recruitment programme, workshops & mini-series talks
- Hidden Curriculum Project (live by end 2027)
- Medical students – theatre etiquette; CST – publishing & applications; StR – fellowships & day-one consultant preparation; Consultants – retirement transition support (published by 2027)
2. Wellbeing
- Annual Wellbeing Survey
- Collaboration with SupportUs & Surgical Education
3. Fellowship & Opportunity Access
- Updated fellowships & observorship database
- Structured testimonials and transparent access pathways
E
Financial Sustainability & Governance
Objectives
- Maintain responsible governance
- Expand sponsorship model
- Define Academy roles and governance limits
Strategy: Diversify funding sources while maintaining transparency.
- Continue collaboration with Karl Storz
- Expand sponsorship beyond sole models (e.g., Cornerstone discussions)
- Develop innovative ASM projects (VR/AR, AI, telementoring)
- Fund professional videography
- Maintain responsible budgeting aligned to ALRSGBI oversight
Infrastructure
Digital & Infrastructure Development
Objectives
- Rebrand ALS → ALRSGBI (website & logo)
- Update subgroup and leadership information
- Develop professional video library
- Build LinkedIn and social media engagement
- Develop members-only webinar library
Governance
- Establish data governance standards (consent, confidentiality)
- Quarterly IAGES webinars
- Recorded content repository
Engagement
Trainee Engagement Plan
Education & Skills Development
- Priority access to Academy workshops
- Structured robotic curriculum
- LapPass® & RoboPass® pathways
Mentorship & Networking
- Structured pairing with consultants
- Regional trainee representation
- Quarterly virtual forums
Research & Academic Opportunities
- Support trainee-led research
- Facilitate ASM abstract submission
- Prospective collaborative audits
Leadership & Representation
- Trainee advisory input within Academy
- Faculty recruitment expansion
- Podcast & digital leadership roles
Communication & Outreach
- Dedicated trainee communications
- Active social media engagement
- Feedback mechanisms & annual surveys
Outcomes
Success Metrics
By 2027 the Academy aims to achieve:
10% regional membership growth
LapPass® delivered in 80% of regions
10 trainees recruited in each core specialty subgroup
Four research projects completed
1–2 national audits delivered
RoboPass® pilot and expansion
Sustainability survey completed and acted upon
Hidden Curriculum project launched
Retirement transition guidance published
Professional digital video library established
Increased trainee research output at ASM
Measurable increase in robotic training access