James Harcus

Biography
James graduated as a diagnostic radiographer in 2002 from University of Leeds. He completed his qualification in MSK reporting in 2005, CXR/AXR reporting in 2009 and MSc from University of Bradford in 2011. As well as being a reporting radiographer he also branched out into MSK ultrasound in 2012,completing his PgCert at University of Leeds. Moving into higher education at around the same time, he continued his clinical work part time alongside his academic role until Covid-19 in 2020 which put pay to that (he realised he liked his evenings and Saturdays back)!!
As an academic he worked for Sheffield Hallam University for nearly 7 years and University of Leeds for 5 years before moving to University of Bradford in late 2023. Having always been predominantly involved in image interpretation, MSK ultrasound, and anatomy education, his current role is as Associate Professor in Diagnostic Radiography (Advanced Practice and Radiographic Reporting) and leads the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Radiography) programme and reporting modules.
Between 2017 and 2019 James was seconded as clinical educator to help develop the Clinical Academy for Radiographer Reporting at the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS, the first of it's type in the UK, and supporting the first two cohorts of trainee reporting radiographers. The emphasis of the academy was to develop trainees across all four pillars of advanced practice, not just in developing reporting skills.
James is an assessor for the College of Radiographers and member of their Approval and Accreditation Board so has a role in supporting development and approving pre- and post-registration programmes. He is also a peer-reviewer for Radiography and JMIRS journals and was previously an editorial board member for Insight journal, the official CPD publication of the Society and College of Radiographers. He was involved in the development of the inaugural Leading the Way: Radiography Advanced Practice (LTWRAP) international advanced practice conference in 2016 and remains a member of the convening committee. This biennial conference aims to bring together the international radiography (diagnostic and therapy) advanced practice community and has been hosted in the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore.
He authored the 8th edition of the "Bones and Joints: a guide for students" textbook and co-authored a new companion title entitled "Image Interpretation: bones joints and fractures". He has a number of peer-reviewed publications and has presented nationally and internationally on topics predominantly-based around image interpretation; both clinical reporting and preliminary clinical evaluation (PCE). Current research projects are based around enhanced and advanced practice, and the future of the radiology workforce. James is deeply passionate about the radiography profession and fully embracing the opportunities we have to maximise our potential.
Outside of work James is a qualified private pilot and scuba diver (not at the same time), average runner, and novice triathlete. He also has an interest in military history.
Research
- Radiographic image interpretation - preliminary clinical evaluation and clinical reporting
- Advancing practice in Radiography
- Workforce development
- Radiography Education
Teaching
- Advancing Practice in Radiography
- Anatomy
- Radiographic Image Interpretation
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound
Modules
- Clinical Image Evaluation - RAD6006-B
- Medical Image Reporting - Chest and Abdomen Radiographs - RAD7015-C
- Medical Image Reporting - Musculoskeletal Radiographs - RAD7016-C
Professional activities
Journal reviews (2)
- Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences - REVIEWER (4 March 2018)
- Radiography - REVIEWER (3 September 2017)
Publications
Book (2)
Image Interpretation: Bones Joints and Fractures
Harcus, J.;Pantic, V. (2023) Elsevier.
Bones and Joints: a Guide for Students
Harcus, J.;Gunn, C. (2022) Elsevier.
Conference contribution (12)
Preliminary Clinical Evaluation: Where are we? An International Scoping Review
Harcus, J.;Hewis, J.;Stevens, B.;Pantic, V, (2024) UK Imaging and Oncology Congress.
Tendons; the requisites
Harcus, J. (2023) British Medical Ultrasound Conference.
The expanding provision; ‘playing nice’ and working together
Harcus, J.;Williamson, K.;Robertson, A. (2023) Achieving Excellence in Radiography Education and Research Conference.
Radiological interpretation of common orthopaedic conditions
Harcus, J. (2023) British Orthopaedic Association Congress.
Qualitative content analysis of image interpretation education in UK pre-registration diagnostic radiography programmes
Harcus, J.;Hewis, J.;Pantic, V. (2023) United Kingdom Imaging and Oncology Congress.
Development of reporting and accuracy in trainee reporting radiographers; a small cohort study
Harcus, J.;Snaith, B. (2021) Leading the Way: Radiography Advanced Practice Conference.
Supporting skill mix in radiology; an academy model for reporting radiographers.
Harcus, J. (2019) NHS Improvement’s Elective Care Conference.
The Clinical Academy for Radiographer Reporting (CARR): A New Model for Training Advanced Clinical Practitioners
Harcus, J.;Snaith, B. (2018) Leading the Way: Radiography Advanced Practice Conference.
Image interpretation of the appendicular skeleton for radiographers: an introduction
Harcus, J.;Woznitza, N. (2018) Leading the Way: Radiography Advanced Practice Conference.
Radiography reporting: an academy perspective
Nagaraja, S.;Harcus, J. (2018) UK Radiological Congress.
Taking it to the patient; radiology in a GP surgery
Harcus, J. (2008) UK Radiological Congress.
An investigation into the infection risk of a radiology department; what lurks beneath?
Harcus, J. (2004) UK Radiological Congress.
Peer reviewed journal (9)
"Making it work in the face of extreme adversity" - Exploring perceptions for the future of the imaging and oncology workforce using
J. Harcus;G. Ferrari;E. Berry;E. Cadogan;C.S. McNally;A. Bardwell;N. Singh;J. Beck (2025) Radiography. 31, 12-19.
Preliminary clinical evaluation: Where are we? An international scoping review
Harcus, J.;Stevens, B.;Pantic, V.;Hewis, J. (2024) Radiography.
Radiographer abnormality flagging systems in the UK - A preliminary updated assessment of practice
Harcus, J.;Stevens, B. (2023) Radiography. 29
Qualitative content analysis of image interpretation education in UK pre-registration diagnostic radiography programmes
Hewis, J.;Harcus, J.;Pantic, V. (2022) Radiography. 28, 1080-1086.
What information is required in a preliminary clinical evaluation? A service evaluation
Harcus, J.;Stevens, B. (2021) Radiography. 27
Preliminary image findings of lower limb stress fractures to aid ultrasonographic diagnoses: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Schaper, M.;Harcus, J. (2021) Ultrasound. 29, 208-217.
Improving wrist imaging through a multicentre educational intervention: The challenge of orthogonal projections
Snaith B.;Raine S.;Fowler L.;Osborne C.;House S.;Holmes R.;Tattersall E.;Pierce E.;Dobson M.;Harcus J.W. (2020) Hand Therapy. in press
Expanding training capacity for radiographer reporting using simulation: Evaluation of a pilot academy project
Harcus J.;Snaith B. (2019) Radiography - Elsevier.
An exploration of service user involvement in the assessment of students.
Naylor, S.;Harcus, J.;Elkington, M. (2015) Radiography. 21