THE GRAHAM FRASER MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS
A Memorial Fellowship was established in 1997 by the Graham Fraser Foundation to promote research to further the understanding, management and alleviation of profound deafness.
A link was established with Professor W P R Gibson, Professor of Otolaryngology in the University of Sydney . For 12 years from 1997-2008 the Trustees of the Foundation awarded annually a travelling Fellowship in Otology of six months duration enabling the holder to research with Professor Gibson the field of profound deafness and to gain experience in operative techniques in otology and cochlear implantation.
The Fellowship was suspended for five years from 2009-2013 due to lack of resources but generous sponsorship provided by MED-EL UK Ltd (www.medel.com/uk) enabled it to be re-established in 2014 with Professor Gibson (part time) and his successor, Professor Catherine Birman. Since Professor Gibson’s retirement, Professor Birman has assumed sole responsibility for the Fellowship. Fellows’ reports can be viewed by clicking on the links below.
The Fellowships are advertised annually in the September/October issue of ENT & audiology news and publicised by ENT UK (www.entuk.org). ENT Specialty Registrars on recognised UK or Republic of Ireland training programmes are eligible to apply. The interviews are held jointly with the TWJ Foundation (www.twjfoundation.org) as the Trustees of the GF and TWJ Foundations are working in partnership to co-ordinate their efforts in offering their respective otology fellowships. Candidates are encouraged to apply for both Foundations’ Fellowships without prejudice.
2027 GRAHAM FRASER MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP
The Trustees of the Graham Fraser Foundation invite applications from ENT Specialty Registrars on recognised UK or Republic of Ireland training programmes for a Fellowship in Otology and Cochlear Implants part-funded by MED-EL UK Ltd. Applicants must have passed the Intercollegiate FRCS by the time the Fellowship commences but may be pre- or post-CCT.
The Fellowship is tenable for six months commencing in January 2027 with the option of an extension for a further six months. The successful applicant will work with Professor Catherine Birman in the University of Sydney, Australia and A/Profs/Drs of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Ari Ananda, Catherine Birman, Raewyn Campbell, Nathan Creber, Michael Eliott, Jonathan Kong, Hubert Low, Carsten Palme, Alex Saxby), Children’s Hospital at Westmead (Catherine Birman, Alan Cheng, Michael Chin, Megan Hobson, Jen Lee, Hannah North, Sebastian Ranguis, Piera Taylor, Joanna Walton). and NextSense Cochlear Implant Program.
This Fellowship offers the opportunity to be involved in specialist otology units with advanced otology and excellent experience in cochlear implants and other hearing implants. In addition to developing operative techniques in cochlear implants, otology and hearing implantation, the Fellowship offers opportunities for participating in otological research, a specialised balance clinic, endoscopic ear surgery, paediatric otolaryngology and skull-base surgery across the two public hospitals.
Applicants should submit by email a 300-word abstract indicating their interest in the subject together with curriculum vitae, logbook and the names of two referees to:
The Graham Fraser Foundation
c/o Mr Philip Robinson
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0117 9804050
Website: www.grahamfraserfoundation.org.uk
Closing date for applications: Monday 5th January 2026
Interview date and place: Monday 9th March 2026
at the Royal College of Surgeons of England