Speakers
Paul Banaszkiewicz
BOA Session
Hall 10
Managing data and planning a research project
Irrum Aftal
Paul Banaszkiewicz is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, specialising in hip and knee arthroplasty. He graduated from University of Glasgow, completed basic surgical training in the Merseyside Deanery, and undertook specialist registrar training on the North East of Scotland training programme.
He is currently a Trustee of the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and Chair of the BOA Education and Careers (EdCar) Committee, leading initiatives focused on professional development, mentoring, workforce support, and equity of opportunity across orthopaedics. He has helped develop national educational programmes including the BOA–BODS Clinical Directors course, UKITE, Ortho Update and Extended Clinical Team initiatives at BOA Congress.
Paul is Editor of the Journal of Trauma and Orthopaedics (JTO) and co-leads the TENDON study evaluating musculoskeletal education within UK medical schools. He has a particular interest in differential attainment, widening participation, and improving access to mentorship and career development within surgical training.
He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators, and holds a Master’s degree in Medical Education from Newcastle University. He also serves as an Advisory Appointments Committee (AAC) member and Quality Assurance Assessor for the RCSEng.
As Visiting Professor at Northumbria University, Paul helps bridge academic research with practical clinical orthopaedic practice. He has supported the BOA Futures Leadership Programme, BOA Travelling Fellowships, and the educational activities of the British Orthopaedic Trainees Association (BOTA). He is also lead editor and author of three internationally recognised FRCS (Tr & Orth) textbooks, which have received several BMA Book Awards.
Paul has undertaken humanitarian orthopaedic work in Northern Iraq and remains committed to international collaboration, diversity, and inclusion within orthopaedics. Outside work, he enjoys running, skiing, gardening, and supporting Burnley F.C..
Irrum Afzal is an Imperial College London graduate and a recipient of the National Orthopaedic Alliance (NOA) Director’s Award. In addition to her academic qualifications, she holds both PRINCE2 Practitioner and Foundation certifications, demonstrating strong project management expertise.
With experience spanning both the NHS and private healthcare sectors, she brings a unique blend of research and operational insight, effectively delivering and managing numerous healthcare and research projects. Irrum has supported and overseen the delivery of multiple studies in compliance with regulatory frameworks and governance requirements. Her work is underpinned by a strong commitment to Good Clinical Practice (GCP). As a Professional Member of the Research Ethics Committee for the Health Research Authority (HRA), she holds a nationally significant role in safeguarding the ethical and scientific integrity of clinical research in the UK. Drawing on her extensive experience in the practical application of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles, she provides reviews clinical and non-clinical research ethical applications involving human participants, tissues, or data ensuring that all studies are ethically and methodologically robust, and that the rights, safety, and dignity of participants are fully protected. Irrum has published in various peer-reviewed journals, frequently presents at national and international conferences, and serves as a reviewer for The Bone & Joint Journal.
Irrum holds multiple positions of responsibility, including Vice Chair of Research and Innovation for the NOA, Board Member for OrthoAI (ORAIA), Research Committee Representative for the British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy Association (BOSTAA), and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Lead for BOSTAA. She is also a Non-Executive Board Member of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF), and plays an active role in the Imperial College Alumni Service.