- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ×
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South Asian Heritage Month: Dr Arya Gupta
August 6, 2025
South Asian Heritage Month takes place annually from 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 ‘Roots to Routes’, which honours the journeys and experiences that have shaped South Asian identities across generations. To celebrate this year’s theme, Society Impact and Influence Committee member, Dr Arya Gupta shares his story and career journey so far.
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Celebrating science and self-expression: our fourth LGBTQ+ Networking Event at the Microbiology Society’s Annual Conference
June 6, 2025
June is Pride Month; a month that celebrates and honours those within the LGBTQIA+ community and recognises their ongoing fight for equal rights and acceptance. During this year’s Annual Conference, held in Liverpool, UK, the Microbiology Society’s member-led group, Queer in Microbiology, hosted their fourth LGBTQ+ Networking Event, in collaboration with the collective artists group, Flow.Walk.Drag. Champion, Rebee Penrice-Randal, reflects on their experience at the event and the importance of such events in ensuring microbiology is inclusive and accessible to all.
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International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Daniel
May 17, 2025
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is an annual event that takes place on 17 May to raise awareness of the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community and celebrates its diversity. This year’s theme, ‘the power of communities’, shines a light on the strength, unity and resilience within LGBTQ+ groups around the world.
To mark the day, this year we caught up with member and Champion, Daniel, to discuss his experiences at the LGBTQ+ social event, held at the Society's Annual Conference 2025. -
Global Accessibility Awareness Day: Kathryn Burdon
May 15, 2025
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness on digital accessibility and inclusion for disabled people and those living with impairments. To mark the day, we caught up with member, Kathryn Burdon, to discuss their experience as a BSc student diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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Deaf Awareness Week: Sharon Brookes
May 5, 2025
Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event that celebrates Deaf identity and raises awareness of the Deaf community, its language, culture and history.
This year, it takes place from 5–11 May and to mark the week, we caught up with Members Panel member and Journal of General Virology Editor, Sharon Brookes, to discuss her experiences as a microbiologist who has experienced hearing loss for most of her career. -
International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Orla Sherlock
February 11, 2025
In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The day is aimed at achieving gender equality and empowerment for women and girls by promoting full and equal access to and participation in science.
This year, we caught up with Society Champion, Dr Orla Sherlock, to discuss her experiences as a woman working in microbiology and find out more about the outreach work she has been doing. -
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.
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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.