For over 25 years, science and discovery centres have been at the heart of inspiring millions of people to explore, question, and be part of UK science and technology. But they're seriously under threat… 1/3

We're working on building a #ViCEPHEC25 starter pack, which you can find here. Starter packs let you follow a group of people at once. Message if you'd like to be added/removed - this is very much a work in progress. go.bsky.app/FffPieC

Do dogs really understand words or are they just responding to inflection & body language? This 2018 study using fMRI brain-mapping says they *DO* understand our words. I'll explain, but first, let's acknowledge the adorable participants, 12 dogs who were trained at home to retrieve two objects.

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr @farhanagokhool.bsky.social (University of Bedfordshire) as our second keynote at #UKSTEMConf25! She’ll share her insights around maths anxiety, and how inclusive, empathetic support can break down barriers for underrepresented & neurodiverse STEM learners.

The Society has supported the microbiology community for 80 years. Now we invite you to get involved by submitting your research, helping to shape the future of science and innovation. Publish with us - microb.io/Publishing-f...

Erin Brady shared how in depth qualitative analysis of students' experiences can be shared through stories #ukstemconf25 My take homes: 1) Longitudinal interview data is awesome 2) need to be careful tell students the stories of other, as we speak from own lens 3) stories let students feel seen

Dylan Jones gives an holistic view of decolonising the BMS curriculum #ukstemconf25 May take homes: 1) listening to students is essential 2) staff are onboard 3) lack of diverse medical images is massive issue

Becky Barnes et al taking about how to support students with exams #ukstemconf25 My take homes: 1) evaluation of exam skills is key 2) mock exams are really useful 3) give students expalmars of exam answers of different grades 4) what are students doing with all the exam questions they request

First subject talk of the day #UKSTEMConf25. Chris Love talking about student self support. My take homes 1) transitioning to HE requires different study skills 2) students can be taught self evaluation & study skills theories in an accessible way 3) this can be scaffolding into to subject module

Super excited for the #LSTeachingInnovationAwards #UKstemconf25

Innovative work from Holly Matthews et al in using card cards to teach health and safety #ukstemconf25 My take homes: 1) These card games are awesome 2) and an open resource figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/articles/edu... figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/articles/edu... figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/articles/edu...

@annajkirkham.bsky.social starts the lab skills strand with her work on integrating videos into labs. #ukstemconf25 My take homes are: 1) videos of lab skills can be used by students at different times 2) ask students what videos they'd find helpful 3) film students are great at making videos

Kathryn Dudley next up talking about barriers to uptaking a BMS placement #UKSTEMConf25 My take homes: 1) accessibility of BMS placements is important 2) funding is key 3) travel and cost is a close second 4) those with disabilities and those who are carers are less likely to apply

Great first subject talk #UKSTEMConf25 by Sam Johnson. Using the self-efficacy framework to better understand first year students to better. My take homes: 1) mastery is success as well as practice 2) stress is important 3) students need skills/ framework to manage stress and time management

I’m happy to share that our latest paper 📜 is now online. Embedding Generative AI as a digital capability into a year-long skills program. | Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice doi.org/10.53761/fh6...

Check out our latest paper: doi.org/10.53761/fh6... We co-designed our MSc programme to embed AI skills, confidence and ethical understanding. This couldn’t have happened without our amazing student co-authors: Dami, Skye, Charlie and Chinenye @dave-thesmith.bsky.social @nigelfrancis.bsky.social

True story ⤵️

Super proud to be part of the ##UnravellingBiofilms workshop at the #FoFD @festofdebate.bsky.social. We were chats to folks about sewage fungus, river pollution and our hopes for the Don and her catchment... whilst crafting! #Crochet #NeedleFelting #SciArt @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social

They've grown up so fast.... and now the nest is empty 😔. They did really well though, 6 fledglings from 8 eggs

AMR remains a serious and growing challenge, despite the UK’s National Action Plan. The Microbiology Society continues to champion evidence-based policy and expert engagement. Find out more here: microb.io/3VrnC3m

External Event Grant Awards of up to £750 are available for eligible members as a contribution towards the costs of registration, travel, and accommodation to attend an event beginning in the period 01 Sept – 31 Dec 2025. Apply now before the deadline 01 July at 23:59 BST- microb.io/453Lo8W

Babies!

Applications for Outreach and Engagement grant are now open. Eligible members can apply for up to £1000 to support relevant science outreach or public engagement initiatives. Apply before the deadline 01 May 25 at 23:59 BST. Apply here: microb.io/OutreachandE...

This is a lovely and well considered @microbiologysociety.org paper introducing and comparing three different citizen science projects. I'd strongly recommend a read for those thinking of starting a #CitizenScience project as well as folks interested in #PublicEngagement and #Outreach

📢 we have a fully-funded #PhDOpportunity 🎓🧬 #Oral Bacteria and #Alzheimer’s Disease: A Potential Role for the Integrated Stress Response.’’ 📅 Deadline: May 13th 🔗 Apply here: www.findaphd.com/phds/project... 📢 Please share widely #PhDOpportunity #GTA #AlzheimersResearch #Microbiology #ISR

Super proud of this paper with @dralisongraham.bsky.social @mdillonphd.bsky.social et al. In this work we reflected on how to make a conference session more accessible, did those things @microbiologysociety.org 🦠👩‍🏫 and the evaluated the session - and we made a difference 🥳🥳 doi.org/10.1099/acmi...

New Paper: Educational #boardgame for training dental and dental hygiene students in patient safety issues bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.... #GameBasedLearning

Your girl has eggs! We've called her Greta

You counted, you waited, and now...the #BigGardenBirdwatch results are officially in! 📣 But who has claimed the number one spot for 2025? For the full analysis, head here: brnw.ch/21wRR4d

🤔 Are you interested in helping to tackle the nature and climate crisis? We are looking for up to 6 members to join our voluntary Policy Committee in spring 2025 who can help us shape BES's policy work and contribute to the Society's goal of putting ecology at the heart of decision-making.

I am currently obsessed with the great tits building a nest in my garden 🪹 🐦

Applications for Outreach and Engagement grant are now open. Check your eligibility and apply before the deadline 01 May 25 at 23.59 BST- microb.io/OutreachandE...

We had an absolute ball running our Water Quality Live Lab at @riverdonproject.bsky.social Faethm exhibition with @weareopus.bsky.social @hiveit.co.uk @hallam-biosci-chem.bsky.social and @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social. Shout out to @amycartergordon.bsky.social, that girl knows how to throw a party

Happy science week! To start us off here are some pictures from our public engagement event last week 'the Nature of Science' #BSEW25 #PublicEngagemnt #Outreach #SciComm

Education and Outreach member, @mgostic.bsky.social shares insights from her project, 'Crafting Biochemistry: TikTok meets Molecules.' This blog explores how TikTok can be a powerful tool for communicating scientific ideas to engage students. Read the blog:

Join the 'Champions of Change' session at #Microbio25 for an opportunity to learn from each other’s triumphs and challenges while amplifying underrepresented and historically marginalised voices. Registration is still open - microb.io/AC25Registra...

🔬 Happy #InternationalWomensDay! Proud to be one of the many women in #Biosciences & #Chemistry working to make a difference in #Science and #Education through #Research and #Teaching. 🧪📚 Love working with this inspiring bunch. #IWD2025 #WomenInSTEM @hallam-biosci-chem.bsky.social #ChemSky #BioSky

This LGBTQ+ History Month find out more about the 4th LGBTQ+ Networking Event with Trans and Nonbinary pre-meet, organised by our members and taking place at our Annual Conference on 1 April. Register today:microb.io/AC25Social #LGBTplusHM #Microbio25

Check out this lovely #pedagogy paper in #AccessMicro @microbiologysociety.org The lovely @mdillonphd.bsky.social et al. share their digital card game, which teaches how the immune system responds to different microbes. Solid 10/10. doi.org/10.1099/acmi...

We are honoured that Prof. Jo Rushworth will be joining us for the Education & Outreach Symposium at #Microbio25. Try to "crack the code" before attending to be in with a chance of winning a prize! padlet.com/jrushworth1/... @microbiologysociety.org @mellacey.bsky.social @mgostic.bsky.social

🔗 Register for in-person attendance: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catalysing... If you are unable to attend in person, you can join us online. 💻 Join online: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catalysing...

📢Join us for "Catalysing Diversity – A Chemistry Seminar Series for All"! Hear from scientists from minoritised, LGBTQ+, & neurodivergent communities as they share their journeys & insights. 🎤 Speaker: Prof Robert Mokaya, OBE, FRS 📅 March 5th|⏰ 5–6 Hybrid #chemsky #Inclusivity #Diversity #RSC

Come and join us in kicking off #BSW25 and #SheffieldScienceFestival with our lovely friends @sheffieldmuseums.bsky.social. Our adult only evening event is all about nature and Science, with more than a little bit of art thrown in

Had a lovely time chatting with @domismithson.bsky.social about open peer review, especially around my role as pedagogy editor for #AcessMicro @microbiologysociety.org #MicroSky #OpenResearch @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social @hallam-biosci-chem.bsky.social

I'm an editor and reviewer for @microbiologysociety.org journals...then my free labour benefits ECR microbiologists getting grants to attend conferences, which is an idea I can get behind

It’s LGBTQ+ History Month! To celebrate the community, some of our members are organising the 4th LGBTQ+ Networking Event with Trans and Nonbinary pre-meet on at Annual Conference on 1 April. Find out more and register: https://microb.io/Microbio25 #LGBTplusHM #Microbio25

📢 Come see the wonderful @professor-dave.bsky.social talking about his journey and insights into chemistry as part of @dodoscientist.bsky.social Catalysing Diversity seminar series. This is a hybrid event so join online or visit @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social details below ... please share 📢

📢Join us for "Catalysing Diversity – A Chemistry Seminar Series for All"! Hear from scientists from minoritised, LGBTQ+, & neurodivergent communities as they share their journeys & insights. 🎤 First speaker: Prof. David K. Smith (Univ. of York) @professor-dave.bsky.social 📅 Feb 4th | ⏰ 5–6 PM

Had a lovely Saturday afternoon taking part in the @rspb.bsky.social Big Garden Bird Watch. We saw fewer birds than last year, but it was a bit windy and our robins were being very territorial.

We did and we had a ball. @domismithson.bsky.social was an amazing host and I used the word hierarchical a lot 😆 @hallam-biosci-chem.bsky.social @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social