Gerry is a General Practitioner and academic in the Centre for Medical Education (CME), Queen’s University Belfast. As a Professor in Simulation and Clinical Skills, he leads the Clinical Skills Education Centre (CSEC) unit in the Medical School. He strives for excellence in providing the best learning experience for student doctors in their clinical skills training.

As a simulation education scholar, he has three main areas of focus (See here for a summary article ). Firstly, using a research-informed approach, he explores the pedagogical 'black box’ science of simulation-based education and how this form of experiential learning transforms health profession students and teams. Secondly, in a research informed approach, he helps extend the power of simulation-based education to areas that traditionally have not used simulation, such as mental healthcare training, general practice, navigating uncertainty, and conflict resolution, to name but a few. Finally, he champions the human side of simulation. In the technology-laden context of simulation, there is an inherent risk of losing connection with patients. He has a programmatic approach to ensure that the human experience is retained in simulation, in order to promote compassionate care. He argues, that without compassion there can not be healthcare.