Update of the Interactive Education Unit Website

Since the last site update in June 2004, the Institute’s Interactive Education Unit (IEU: http://www.ieu.icr.ac.uk) has been busier than ever. We have launched one new major project and continue to expand, develop or update material for all of the others. Here’s a summary of our most recent project news:

• The pilot version of Perspectives in Oncology - the cancer science website, was successfully launched to internal audiences over the summer and now has over 200 registered users. This resource has been developed to communicate fundamental concepts of cancer science, covering a range of different research disciplines as well as disease epidemiology and treatment. The site is aimed initially at Institute PhD students, but we hope to launch an external version in the future.
• Our Study Skills website, again a resource for Institute PhD students, has been successfully translated into a book in association with the original website authors. The book, to be published by John Wiley & Sons, will be available early next year from all good book shops!
• Science communication is the theme of our latest set of website reviews - read these and existing reviews of other cancer and education websites in the ‘Links’ section of the site.

We are also pleased to announce that the Unit has received recognition from two very different, but influential bodies:

• In a recent audit of The Institutes educational activities by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, the IEU was identified as an area of particular good practice. The audit report, published in July 2004, highlights "the breadth, depth and accessibility of material provided by the internet-based Interactive Education Unit to meet the needs of students with respect to their personal development and wider understanding of cancer and cancer therapies".
• The IEU has won several awards in an international marketing and communications competition – the MarCom Creative Awards. This is one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world and recognises excellence in the concept, writing and design of marketing and communication programs and print, visual and audio materials.

The IEU develops materials in a variety of media to promote and disseminate the educational, research and clinical activities of The Institute and Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. For more information about the Unit, or if you have any queries about our work, please contact ieu.

last modified 17/12/04