- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ×
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International Day of Older Persons: Alison Parker
October 2, 2023
The 1st of October is International Day of Older Persons and this year’s theme is ‘Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations’. One of our long-standing members, Alison Parker, born in 1933, has shared insights into her upbringing and career journey as a microbiologist. Alison also captures the positives that come with getting older and differentiates lab technologies, from then and now.
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Introducing the Pride in Microbiology Network
August 24, 2023
Pride in Microbiology is a new network of individuals within the microbiology community that is committed to creating a safe-space for Queer and Trans microbiologists to meet, network and collaborate.
Members Panel member, I’ah Donovan-Banfield, has interviewed the founders of the network to find out more. Landon Getz, Edel Pérez Lopez and Society Champion, Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira share their experiences of navigating academia as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus) community, and give advice to others within the community who are also working in science. -
South Asian Heritage Month: Professor Gurdyal S. Besra
August 15, 2023
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 ‘Stories to Tell’, aiming to showcase the rich narratives of South Asian communities. To celebrate this year’s theme, we are showcasing the story of our very own President, Professor Gurdyal S. Besra (University of Birmingham, UK).
Back when Professor Besra became President of the Society, at the start of 2022, he was interviewed by his colleague at University of Birmingham, Alison Iboro Offong. Below are some of the highlights from the interview, giving the story of his career journey. -
International Youth Day: inspiring young minds with Snehal Kadam
August 11, 2023
International Youth Day takes place annually on 12 August to highlight the challenges for youth across the globe. This year’s theme is all about providing young people with green skills to help create a sustainable world. One way this can be achieved is by teaching young people about science and microbiology, more specifically.
One member who has done just that, is Snehal Kadam, a PhD student at Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, UK. Snehal was awarded with an Education and Outreach Grant from the Society and used it to set up a programme of events called Microbe Express for Kids. Read Snehal’s blog to find out more about this fascinating project.
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Disability Pride Month: An Interview with Eshet Lakew Tesfaye
July 17, 2023
July marks Disability Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebrating diversity and difference among the disabled community. To mark Disability Pride Month 2023, member Eshet Lakew Tesfaye from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, shares his experience navigating academia with a disability, and gives advice to others with disabilities working in science.
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Global Accessibility Awareness Day: Tanya Horne
May 18, 2023
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is celebrated today, 18 May, and its purpose is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about global accessibility. To mark this day, we interviewed Microbiology Society member Tanya Horne about her experience of navigating academia with a disability and the importance of accessibility.
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International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
May 17, 2023
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is an annual awareness day which takes place on 17 May to draw attention to the violence and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ communities around the world. This year, our members organised an LGBTQ+ Networking Event during Annual Conference 2023 and so, to celebrate this important day, one of Champions has written a review of their experience at the networking event.
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Trans Day of Visibility: Rowan Casey
March 31, 2023
Trans Day of Visibility takes place every year on 31 March to celebrate trans and nonbinary people in addition to raising awareness of the discrimination faced by trans people.
To mark the day, we caught up with Members Panel member, Rowan Casey to discuss some of the challenges facing trans people studying or working in science.
"To me, Trans Day of Visibility is not about celebration or being visible ourselves but being visible in saying we will not accept how society currently treats us." Rowan Casey
