Claire F Smith

Professor Claire F Smith is a Professor of Anatomy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Education and Innovation) at the University of Sussex. Her roles include strategic leadership in medical education innovation, curriculum design, and digital learning initiatives. She holds editorial positions at Anatomical Sciences Education and is a member of international anatomy education committees.

Previously, she served as Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Southampton (2007-2013) and Teaching Fellow at the University of Southampton (2002-2007). Her research focuses on student learning experiences in anatomy, body donation motivations, and educational technology advancements. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored influential textbooks like Gray’s Surface Anatomy for Students.

Professor Smith pioneered 3D-printed anatomical models from cadaver scans and led the development of the Core Anatomy Syllabus for UK medical students. Her teaching innovations include virtual reality tools and the Anatomy 360 project, which provides 360-degree lab access for widening participation students. Awards include the National Teaching Fellowship (2018) and Principle Fellow status of Advance HE (2020).

Her research portfolio spans body donation ethics, digital anatomy education, and pandemic-era teaching adaptations. She supervises postgraduate students in medical education topics and serves on examination boards for the Royal College of Surgeons and the MRCS.