Annual Conference Online 2021 – a view from the pets of Twitter
Posted on May 14, 2021 by Alexandra Kubiakowska-Welch
After a tumultuous year in 2020, delegates from around the world were able to attend Annual Conference Online 2021 (26–30 April) from the comfort of homes or offices, for the first ever digital version of our flagship event. In addition to the scientific programme, socials and online networking opportunities, photos of delegates' pets continued to raise our spirits throughout the week. This blog features their contributions to Conference.
Mondays are tough by anyone’s standards and Dexter could clearly have done with a few more winks of sleep before Annual Conference Online 2021 kicked off!
Dexter is beside himself with excitement for his first #Microbio21 @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/0ST580WSk5
— Jessica Blair (@JessicaMABlair) April 26, 2021
Whereas Dita had herself settled in comfortably for a front-row seat ahead of the sessions commencing.
Dita loving the pictures of all the other pets participating in #Microbio21 pic.twitter.com/FYjnFZzDN8
— Vivien Price (@VivMicro) April 26, 2021
Marley simply could not understand why these humans speaking would not contribute to playtime…
Marley is unhappy that the speakers at #Microbio21 don't want to throw his ball for him.. pic.twitter.com/yvC5J0nJiv
— Alasdair Hubbard ⚫ (@dralhubb) April 26, 2021
…hence why this pup took it upon themselves to make their own entertainment!
Think I'll go find my headphones for the last #Microbio21 talks of the day pic.twitter.com/u1djo501ZL
— Lily Riordan (@lily_riordan) April 26, 2021
And George was keen to ensure that owner Eleanor did not lapse on the amount of belly rubs he received throughout the day.
I have been reliably informed by George that a key part of taking part in online conferences like #Microbio21 is giving your dog belly rubs every 10 seconds pic.twitter.com/gvtf3mhOOk
— Eleanor Boardman (@ellierboardman) April 26, 2021
By Day 2, everyone had settled into their unusual Conference surroundings.
Day 2 of #Microbio21 - managed to hook Julian Parkhill up to the telly for me and the cat to enjoy learning about bacterial evolution 🧬🧫🔬 pic.twitter.com/OeTRK0pNkE
— Emma Holden (@emmaraholden) April 27, 2021
Little Doris was thoroughly engaged in the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 workshops.
Doris (dwarf hamster) is enjoying the SARS-Cov-2 session. Don't think I should explain to her what the current talk is on though... #Microbio21 pic.twitter.com/33t0IVGDhD
— Rachel Kettles (@rachelkettles) April 27, 2021
Pepper gave a stark warning to her owner, reminding her that treats always come first – even if you are in the middle of presenting your research!
Pepper would like to apologise for interrupting my #Microbio21 talk, but she thought everyone should know that treats are more important than promoters pic.twitter.com/YoHKXwOgXD
— Emily Warman (@emilywarmanj) April 27, 2021
And others were very keen to join in the fun!
Someone was particularly interested in the end of @emilywarmanj excellent talk on transcription and her cats helping answer the questions! #microbio21 #olitweet pic.twitter.com/fxy2iEJjD0
— Dr Emma Denham 👩🏻🦰🧬🧫🦠👩🔬🔬🥳 (@Gingermicrobe) April 27, 2021
Cooper seemed more interested in taking a nap than joining his owner Hannah in sharing her enthusiasm for virology…
Evidently Cooper isn’t as impressed by virology as I am... #Microbio21 #vizsla pic.twitter.com/PXRitJ78XI
— Hannah Beaumont (@HanBeaumont) April 28, 2021
And Frankie was occupied, while his owner Claire live tweeted about the Public Health Microbiology session…
Frankie is frighteningly enthusiastic for the upcoming live tweets about #PublicHealth microbiology. #Microbio21 pic.twitter.com/5tIgL29zjJ
— Claire Elek 💙 (@Clarika84) April 29, 2021
…only to later wake up and reinstate their authority over a pair of flip flops.
Public Health Microbiology break & conference buddy has abandoned me for my flipflops. Rude. #Microbio21 #CatsOfTwitter #AcademicsWithCats pic.twitter.com/DiAzqJTM6g
— Claire Elek 💙 (@Clarika84) April 29, 2021
George did not look impressed that Annual Conference Online 2021 was coming to an end…
I think George wants me to go back to work and get off of his sofa. Good thing #microbio21 is finishing! pic.twitter.com/nyBRcaV9qF
— Eleanor Boardman (@ellierboardman) April 30, 2021
…whereas others timed their crimes at the perfect opportunity (the end of the conference!)
Had an extremely exciting end to #Microbio21 with my cat spilling my wine over my laptop 🤦🏻♂️ here she is at the scene of the crime days earlier pic.twitter.com/QdjX7V0Qtf
— Dr Elliot Erskine (@Elliot_Erskine) May 1, 2021
However, by the end of the week, for most, it was just time for another well-deserved nap.
Post-#Microbio21 mood (sound on for kitty snores) pic.twitter.com/YbkDmRS6YE
— Lucy Kelly (@micro_lucy) April 30, 2021
Bruno displaying how I feel after 5 days of superb science. Ignore the clutter 🙈 #MicroBio21 #Vizsla pic.twitter.com/uFVdnBABxC
— Jack Ferguson (@jack_fergie) April 30, 2021