- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ×
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International Women’s Day: embracing equity
March 8, 2023
International Women's Day (IWD) takes place annually on 8 March and is a celebration of women’s achievements that aims to raise awareness of issues impacting women’s equality. The awareness day started in 1911 as part of the women’s suffrage movement and this year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity which is focusing on the need for equitable action to create true inclusion.
As part of this year’s theme, people have been encouraged to physically embrace themselves as a visible symbol of embracing equity. So, to mark the day, two of our Champions, Darya Chernikhova and Karen Campos-León, have taken part and also explained what equity means to them. -
International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Jazmin Conway
February 10, 2023
In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The day focusses on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls by promoting full and equal access to and participation in science.
This year, we talked to Microbiology Society Champion, Jazmin Conway, to discuss her experience as a woman working in microbiology, and to find out more about her outreach work.
“It’s important to reflect on how far you have come during times of struggle and feel proud of everything you have accomplished.” Jazmin Conway
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Kirsty Jones
December 2, 2022
International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place annually on 3 December to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. This year, to raise awareness, we interviewed Members Panel member, Kirsty Jones, to discuss her work, the challenges she faces and some great advice for others with disabilities hoping to work in science.
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Podcast: Disability History Month
November 30, 2022
In this special episode of Microbe Talk for Disability History Month, Charlie talks to Kirsty Jones about her experience of accessibility in labs.
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LGBTQ+ STEM Day 2022: Rebee Penrice-Randal
November 18, 2022
LGBTQ+ STEM Day takes place annually on 18 November to celebrate and highlight the work and barriers of LGBTQ+ people in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).
This year, to celebrate the diversity of its community, the Society is hosting an online event: Queer in Microbiology: A Conversation. Rebee Penrice-Randal is one of our members organising the event, so we caught up with them to find out more about their work and experience of being queer in microbiology. -
Black History Month 2022: who has inspired you?
October 12, 2022
The UK’s Black History Month takes place every October. Back in 2020, we looked at some of the achievements of black microbiologists, including Professor Ruth Ella Moore, Dr Alan Powell Goffe, Professor William Augustus Hinton and Dr Faith Uwadiae. This year, to celebrate the newly formed Members Panel, we asked panel member, Dr Aliyah Debbonaire, to tell us about a black scientist from history who has inspired her, for what reasons and the impact they have had on her life.
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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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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.
