Chartered Scientist is a professional registration that represents a single chartered mark for all scientists, recognising high levels of professionalism and competence in science. There are currently over 13,000 Chartered Scientists working in a vast array of settings and across all scientific and related sectors. The Chartered Scientist is amongst an array of chartered professionals who will have gained a specific level of skill or competence in a particular field of work, which has been recognised by the award of a formal credential mainly by chartered professional bodies and learned societies.
The College of Podiatry has been awarded Licensed Body Status by the Science Council, therefore members of the College of Podiatry (a UK professional association) can apply to become a Chartered Scientist.
Being chartered is the mark of professional recognition. Being a Chartered Scientist allows all scientists working at the full professional level to be recognised on an equal footing.
It gives an assurance of current competence through mandatory revalidation and encapsulates the interdisciplinary nature of science in the 21st Century.
By benchmarking professional scientists at the same high level, CSci aims to re-engage public trust and confidence in science and scientists.
All those working in the practice, application, advancement, or teaching of science can become CSci with the appropriate combination of qualifications and experience.
Chartered Scientists work in an ever growing, diversity of settings, from food science to environmental waste management, health psychology to nuclear physics, and mathematical modelling to chemical engineering.
Applicants must demonstrate various competencies including the ability to deal with complex issues and communicate their conclusions to a range of audiences
They show originality in problem solving and substantial autonomy in planning and implementing tasks
Through a commitment to continuing professional development, Chartered Scientists will continue to advance their knowledge, understanding, and competence throughout their career.
The Science Council require that individuals registered as a Chartered Scientist demonstrate their commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) within their careers.
For me, I always knew I wanted to go into the medical or allied medical fields from a very young age and naturally gravitated towards the sciences. I had seen first-hand the impact of Type I Diabetes with my extended family and was peripherally recognisant of the role of podiatric medicine having experienced going to a chiropodist as a child with some plantar warts.
Upon commencing my training at the University of Salford, I found I loved it – it was organically a good fit for my scientific mind and my practical hands and my friends on other programs experienced my evangelical enthusiasm whilst studying my BSc (Hons) Podiatry undergrad.
I graduated in the class of 1997 pleased as punch attaining a first class honours.
I have always liked the fact that our chosen field seeks the highest levels of empirical evidence and our decisions on care, treatment or clinical management are based on research. It is reassuring for patients and it is reassuring for us as clinicians.
Like most I went on to practice the science of podiatric medicine within the UK when I fifers qualified – BSc (Hons) Podiatry in hand! Not only that but to practise the practice of my science. Through ongoing, continued development and redevelopment, over those early years and the decades since, I have honed skills, deepened, and broaden my science-based podiatric practice and become an evidence-based clinical manager.
Being a Chartered Scientist has given me the opportunity to demonstrate a level of competency that excels in the science of podiatric medicine. It is great to be able to demonstrate these competencies to patients, co-workers, and the wider scientific community.
I have found that it has opened many new and positive conversations and questions pertaining to my clinical specialty, and now that I am additionally able to practice in Ontario, within the chiropody /chiropodist scope, it has certainly increased understanding within the office with regards to scope of practice, re-emphasising the place of the science of podiatric medicine as part of the wider medical sciences.
I have been pleased that my accomplishments and post-graduate study enabled me to work in two continents- with offices in both the UK and Ontario, Canada. I have been able to build professional links with other like-minded clinician-scientists in Canada and have actively worked on the board of the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine.
My general role is split between clinical practice 70% of my time, with the remainder focussed on clinical management activities such as team, leadership, and development activities. Enjoying the full scope of professional practice, I look forward to and remain committed to, the ongoing development of my team, my environment, and practice of this interesting science and look forward to the opportunities it affords me in the future.
Stuart Berry, CSci
