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Disability Pride Month: Scientisting with a Disability
July 1, 2022
Since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on the 26th of July 1990, Disability Pride Month has been celebrated throughout July every year. In recognition of the start of Disability Pride Month 2022, Dr Keren Turton writes about her experience of 'Scientisting with a Disability'.
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Microbe Talk: The impact of COVID on research and career progression part 2
July 1, 2022
The latest edition of the Microbiology Society’s podcast, Microbe Talk, is now online. In the second part of this episode, Eva Scholtus and Katie O’Connor continue their discussion with Colman, Galleh, Helen and Natalie by discussing the existing issues within academia and what needs to be done to protect the workforce going forward.
They consider issues such as equality, diversity and inclusion, isolation and loneliness at work, managing heavy workloads, salary boundaries and the culture in academia. -
Microbe Talk: The impact of COVID on research and career progression
June 29, 2022
The latest edition of the Microbiology Society’s podcast, Microbe Talk, is now online. In the first of this two part episode, Eva Scholtus and Katie O’Connor from our Policy and Engagement team interview Colman, Raphael, Helen and Nat about their experiences as early career researchers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
They consider issues such as equality, diversity and inclusion, isolation and loneliness at work, managing heavy workloads, salary boundaries and the culture in academia. -
How you can support academics at risk this Refugee Week and beyond
June 24, 2022
Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have been helped to safety across Europe. Over 70,000 have already arrived in the UK. UK universities and research institutes have been keen to play their part and have made generous offers to help their academic colleagues to find refuge, with the opportunity to continue their work.
The Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), a UK charity, originally founded to help academics fleeing from the Nazis, is still helping to coordinate much of this work today. But what does Cara actually do; what help is available for those fleeing from other conflicts and crises; and how can institutions and individuals help? Cara's Executive Director Stephen Wordsworth tells us more. -
Europic 2022 – a view from Twitter
June 21, 2022
On 6–9 June 2022, the Society hosted the Focused Meeting, European Study Group on the Molecular Biology of Picornaviruses 'Europic 2022'. We look back at Twitter for some of the highlights of #Europic2022
With a full scientific programme prepared to address recent advances in the field of picornaviruses, we were looking forward to hearing from a range of speakers and poster presenters from across the world, and being able to welcome our delegates in-person!
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World Refugee Day: Adnan Al-Hindi
June 20, 2022
World Refugee Day takes place annually on 20 June to honour the strength and courage of people forced to leave their home country to seek safety from conflict or persecution. Taking place since 2001 to commemorate the anniversary of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the aim of the day is to increase empathy and understanding for refugees around the world.
In the UK, Refugee Week also takes place around this day to celebrate the contribution, creativity and resilience of refugees. This year’s theme is #HealingTogether through creativity and conversations.
Our conversation took place with member Professor Adnan Al-Hindi, who received support from the Society through a collaboration with the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara). We find out more about Adnan’s life and career.
“Despite the hard conditions we lived in, as all refugees do, we were committed to education.” Professor Adnan-Al-Hindi
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Microbial Cycling of Volatile Organic Compounds: Biogeochemistry to Biotechnology 2022: a view from Twitter
June 9, 2022
On 26—25 May 2022, the Society hosted the first Focused Meeting of the year, Microbial Cycling of Volatile Organic Compounds: Biogeochemistry to Biotechnology 2022. Here, we look at Twitter for some of the highlights of #VOCmicrobes22.
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Raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance through art: ‘ART LAB: Art of Antimicrobial Resistance’
June 7, 2022
In February 2022, a team of Cardiff University researchers and professional services staff delivered an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) themed science-art event in a local arts centre. The event aimed to increase awareness of AMR and reach people who might not engage with more traditional Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities. Here, ECM forum member and project lead Dr Rebecca Weiser discusses her experience of ART LAB.
