- Awareness Days ×
-
Celebrating International Volunteer Day 2024 with our Society Champions
December 5, 2024
5 December 2024 is International Volunteer Day and it’s a great opportunity for us to highlight why Microbiology Society volunteers have decided to become Champions and have generously given their time to promote microbiology and the Society in their local areas.
This year, we want to show appreciation to Champions who contribute to the Society in many different ways. They have attended events on our behalf; organised their own events; taken part in interviews and written blogs. They have also played a vital role in the Society’s focus on equality, diversity and inclusion by providing content for awareness days and organising social events for members of our community from historically marginalised groups. -
LGBTQ+ STEM Day: Charlotte Roughton
November 18, 2024
Celebrated annually in the month of November, LGBTQ+ STEM Day aims to raise awareness and celebrate the importance of inclusion and diversity within STEM communities. The day promotes a more welcoming environment and recognises the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals working or studying in STEM. This year, we caught up with Champion and incoming Members Panel member, Charlotte Roughton, as she shares her insights and journey as an LGBTQ+ person working in STEM.
-
Global Diversity Awareness Month: Arindam Mitra
October 30, 2024
Celebrated annually during the month of October, Global Diversity Awareness Month aims to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity in all forms, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and abilities. The month encourages conversations and activities that highlight the importance of inclusivity and the value that different perspectives have in fostering a more equitable global community. We caught up with Society Champion and Members Panel member, Arindam Mitra, who shared his insights and discussed how diversity has shaped his personal and professional journey.
-
Black History Month: Amaka Awayne
October 29, 2024
Celebrated annually during the month of October in the UK , Black History Month recognises the contributions, culture and history of Black people. First celebrated in October 1987, after being organised by Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, the awareness month aims to highlight the impact of Black people, from African and Caribbean descent, on British society. It does so by raising awareness of the challenges Black communities have faced, including racism and inequality, whilst also celebrating their achievements.
The month serves as an opportunity to educate the world on the often overlooked history of Black people, encouraging a deeper understanding of the UK’s multicultural heritage and the ongoing efforts for racial equality and inclusion. -
Celebrating International Microorganism Day 2024 with Society Champions
September 16, 2024
Celebrated annually on 17 September, International Microorganism Day is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of microorganisms within our daily lives. Dutch scientist, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, made the discovery of microorganisms on 17 September 1674 – being the first to observe and describe microorganisms using a microscope. The day now provides a platform for microbe enthusiasts to commemorate the discovery of microorganisms.
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Bruno Silvester Lopes
August 1, 2024
South Asian Heritage Month takes place 18 July to 17 August. The awareness month was started by the South Asian Heritage Trust, which seeks to elevate the prominence of British South Asian history and heritage in the UK. This year’s theme is ‘Free to Be Me’, aiming to showcase and embrace the rich narratives of South Asian communities. To celebrate this year’s theme, Society Champion Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes shares his story and career journey so far.
-
Disability Pride Month: Sharon Brookes
July 17, 2024
The month of July marks Disability Pride Month – a month dedicated to celebrating difference and diversity among the disabled community. To highlight this awareness month, we caught up with retired member, Sharon Brookes, who has worn many Society hats during her career. Sharon shares her experience navigating academia with a disability, and gives advice to others with disabilities working in science.
-
Refugee Week: supporting academics at risk with the Council for At-Risk Academics
June 20, 2024
This Refugee Week, the Society would like to once again shine a light on the great work of the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara). Cara is a UK charity, originally founded in 1933 to help academics fleeing Nazi Germany, and is still helping to coordinate much of this work today around the world today.