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 a graduate of Imperial College London and a recipient of the National Orthopaedic Alliance (NOA) Director’s Award. In addition to her academic qualifications, Irrum holds both PRINCE2 Practitioner and Foundation certifications, demonstrating strong project management expertise. With experience in both the NHS and the private healthcare sector, Irrum has contributed to a range of digital health transformation initiatives. She brings a unique blend of research and operational insight, enabling her to effectively manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver high-impact healthcare, research, and quality improvement projects.
Irrum holds multiple positions of national responsibility, reflecting her commitment to healthcare leadership, innovation, and advancing high-quality, patient-centred care. Her positions of responsibility include Vice Chair of Research and Innovation for the NOA, Professional Member of the Research Ethics Committee for the Health Research Authority (HRA), Research Committee Representative for the British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy Association (BOSTAA), and BOSTAA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Lead, Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel Member. Irrum is a Non-Executive Board Member of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF). She also plays an active role in the Imperial College Alumni Service.
Her interests include Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), Evidence-Based Medicine, and Artificial Intelligence. Irrum has published in various peer-reviewed journals, frequently presents at national and international meetings, and is a reviewer for The Bone & Joint Journal.