Annual RCVS Fellowship Day focuses on disease control
A keynote speech from Matthew Baylis discussed a One Health approach to vector-borne diseases.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) hosted its annual Fellowship Day on Thursday, 27 November 2025, including a keynote speech on emergency response and disease control.
The event saw 52 veterinary surgeons welcomed to the Fellowship, having become Fellows through four different routes.
Of these veterinary surgeons, 31 were recognised for meritorious contributions to clinical practice and 18 for meritorious contributions to the profession. Two became Fellows for meritorious contributions to veterinary knowledge, while one earned their Fellowship for their thesis.
The Fellowships were presented by Fellowship chair Niall Connell, before RCVS president Tim Parkin addressed attendees.
Prof Parkin talked about his career in the veterinary profession, as well as his own journey to Fellowship. He described how he had been unsuccessful in his first attempt at gaining Fellowship.
His speech focused on the importance of mentorship, and highlighted the RCVS Fellowship’s mentorship scheme.
Prof Parkin said: “When we become Fellows, we do more than simply swap our MRCVS for an FRCVS – we are showing our dedication to promoting scientific excellence, furthering professional skills and practice and invigorating a curiosity for innovation - as well as undertaking activities that enrich public discourse about the importance of veterinary science to everyone. In order to do that mentorship is key.
“Please reflect on how each of us can inspire and influence those who will do better than us in the future. ”
The address was followed by a speech from Matthew Baylis, Emeritus Professor of Livestock and One Health at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences. Prof Baylis’ talk was titled ‘Future threats: how vector-borne diseases of animals are responding to a rapidly-changing world’.
The talk discussed a One Health approach to vector-borne diseases, reflecting on a decade of ‘success’ in battling such diseases. However, he warned of new challenges emerging with the global movement of people and goods.
He used the example of arboviruses in northern Europe, with climate change widening the geographical spread of vector animals.
This year’s Fellows for the Future competition saw three undergraduates share their research with the Fellowship. University of Nottingham student Yasmin Crowe was judged as the winner, with Rebecca Scott (University of Cambridge) and Aine O’Brien (University of Glasgow) highly commended.
Finally, two afternoon workshops invited delegates to give expertise on animal health and welfare issues.
Prof Christianne Glossop, former chief veterinary officer for Wales, chaired a session on surveillance and disease response. Attendees discussed how veterinary professionals can persuade animal owners to report symptoms and considered the barriers to this.
Meanwhile Adam Mugford chaired a session on emergency response. This was led by Jim Green, director of operations at the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association, who explained how he worked alongside veterinary surgeons as a firefighter.
Videos from the day will be published on the RCVS Fellowship page.
Image © RCVS
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