Ellie Kerr

Ellie is a medical student with a strong focus on improving safety, education, and wellbeing within and beyond the university setting. As a sixth-year student at the University of Edinburgh, Ellie has combined her medical training with practical experience as a lifeguard for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, where she developed skills in drowning prevention and pre-hospital care.

Through this work, Ellie identified a lack of structured education on open-water safety for students involved in outdoor activities. In response, she led the design and delivery of a pilot water safety training programme for student groups. The programme covered risk assessment, environmental awareness, and incident management, and was developed with national experts. It received strong feedback, with participants reporting increased confidence and changes in behaviour when planning activities.

Ellie’s work has been shaped by wider concerns about student safety following recent water-related incidents in the UK. Alongside this initiative, she has contributed to research and public engagement, including co-leading a Planetary Health Report Card audit and presenting genomic research. Her work reflects a commitment to applying medical knowledge in ways that benefit both patients and the wider community.