Dr Siobhan Moyes with the new diverse anatomy models聽
New anatomy models with darker coloured skin tones have been installed by the 抖阴短视频 to improve the diversity of its medical teaching materials.
Thought to be the first work of its kind in the country, the initiative was led by Dr Siobhan Moyes, the University鈥檚 Lead in Anatomy, who wanted to make improvements post-lockdown in 2020. Working with model provider, Adam,Rouilly, she initiated a programme to improve awareness of the availability and anatomical diversity of the models to ensure an inclusive and empowering student experience.
She said:
鈥淧ost lockdown and after the international campaign for Black Lives Matter, noticing the lack of diversity in our anatomy resources was a real shock for me. Ultimately our students are going to treat people from all backgrounds and ethnicities, so why were our teaching materials primarily Euro-centric? I was also upset to think that our diverse population of students might not feel represented by the models they saw in our teaching.
鈥淲hen I struggled to find high-quality diverse anatomy models on the market, I approached our provider, Adam,Rouilly, to discuss improvements to the visibility and availability of models with different skin tones. They have been so receptive and collaborative through the whole process, it鈥檚 been a real team effort.鈥
This collaboration has resulted in the international promotion of the availability of anatomical models with darker coloured skin tones.
While Peninsula Medical School was the first to explore including these models, other anatomy departments have also placed orders, showing the desire to increase diversity in anatomy teaching.
Find out more about the facilities and anatomy teaching in Peninsula Medical School.
New diverse anatomy models聽
The University鈥檚 Peninsula Dental School, Peninsula Medical School and School of Biomedical Sciences have together achieved their Athena Swan Silver award, committed to equality across their operations. Part of the award submission saw staff commit to an equality pledge 鈥 a short, measurable statement that showed how each individual would build equality into their working life, and Dr Moyes made hers about improving diversity in anatomy.
She said:
鈥淭he pledge related to both the resources we use and the curriculum we teach, and I鈥檓 delighted we鈥檝e secured 拢20,000 of funding to buy a range of torsos and other anatomical models with darker coloured skin. There鈥檚 certainly the potential to diversify further, and we鈥檝e dedicated resource to ensure that this happens.
"We鈥檙e also ensuring our teaching doesn鈥檛 inadvertently associate certain pathologies with certain genders, so speaking in non-binary terms when gender is irrelevant.鈥
Dr Chloe Milsom,聽Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences (Education), Peninsula Medical School
Dr Chloe Milsom, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences and Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the University鈥檚 Peninsula Medical School, said:
鈥淲e are so proud of Siobhan鈥檚 proactive approach to improving the diversity of materials in anatomy teaching. Equality often starts with stepping back and realising that change needs to happen, so for her to do this is a truly valued step.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so important to embrace and embed equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education, healthcare and beyond 鈥 and it鈥檚 something we鈥檙e really proud of here at Plymouth.鈥
Jenny Whitebread, Adam,Rouilly Director, added:
鈥淎s medical education evolves we continually look for ways of improving our product offerings to enhance student learning outcomes. Collaborating with Siobhan has enabled us to embrace this need for greater awareness in equality, diversity and inclusivity in anatomy teaching.鈥

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