Dr Fanning's commitment to education began early, growing up in a family of primary school teachers and taking on instructional roles through Scouting, where he became a canoeing instructor, senior sailing instructor and eventually Scout Sailing Centre Principal. These formative experiences shaped his interest in training and education. 

His interest in medical education developed during his undergraduate training, inspired by senior lecturers who demonstrated the impact of thoughtful, well‑designed teaching. Throughout his medical career, he has built extensive experience as an educator across undergraduate and postgraduate settings. Dr Fanning has served as visiting faculty on the MA in Medical Education programme from which he graduated and has designed and delivered numerous educator workshops and faculty‑development activities, organised conferences and presented at regional and national events, particularly on supporting the transition from student doctor to newly qualified doctor and on approaches to assisting learners and clinicians who require additional support.

Dr Fanning is a long‑standing instructor on life support courses, including ALS, APLS and GIC, and acts as Medical Director on ALS courses. His teaching practice includes substantial experience in designing and producing learning resources, developing and evaluating teaching programmes, and contributing to policy development within medical education. A further area of interest is raising standards among educators and clinical supervisors.