[REPORT À 2023] Lay Communication: Using Microbiology to Connect With the Public

18 november 2022

Saskia Bindschedler, UniNE Pilar Junier, UniNE Gilbert Greub, CHUV

Dr Eavan Dorey (NCCR microbioms)

Dr. Hanna Marti (UZH)

Dr. Alexander Harms (Biozentrum, Uni Basel)

Dr. Ken Timmis (Geneva)

Dr. Saskia Bindschedler (UniNE)

Dr. Gilbert Greub (Institute of Microbiology, CHUV)

Science skepticism and the poor transfer of scientific knowledge beyond academic circles represent barriers to overcome to deal more effectively with upcoming societal challenges such as the climate and biodiversity crises, as well as for fighting future pandemics. Therefore, dissemination of scientific knowledge beyond peer-communication should become a priority for all scientists. However, lay communication is not yet a component of the typical curriculum in university training.

Despite the fact that microbiology can be a challenging topic to communicate, it also offers a great terrain to train a future generation of communication skilled professionals. The general public has, more often than not, been exposed to a microbiology-related subject. However, these are generally associated with the negative impact of microorganisms on human life. Therefore, changing this perception is great training for future generations of scientists.

In this course, multiple examples of science-communication initiatives and activities will be presented to the participants by the instigators of those activities. At the end of the second part of the day, a general discussion on the creation of a Swiss-wide network of initiatives in science communication in microbiology across Switzerland will be discussed. In addition, after the in-person activity, specific actions to be undertaken by the participants will be proposed. Those include their participation in the creation of materials for the International Microbiology Literacy Initiative or the organization of a lab visit for friends and relatives and the reporting on this initiative.

Location: Université de Neuchâtel, Main Building, Avenue du 1er Mars, room B29

09:00-09:30 Registration

09:30-09:40 Welcome and organization (Pilar Junier)

09:40-10:20 The international Microbiology Literacy Initiative (Ken Timmis)

10:20-10:40 Coffee break

10:40-11:20 Invite a Friend to a Lab Crawl (Hanna Marti)

11:20-12:00 Lay Communication NCCR Microbiomes (Eavan Dorcey)

12:00-13:40 Lunch Break (Microcity restaurant)

13:40-14:20 Microbes go to school (Saskia Bindschedler)

14:20-15:00 Basel Summer Science Academy - science outreach goes viral (Alexander Harms)

15:00-15:30 Coffee break

15:30-16:10 Kroobs (Gilbert Greub)

16:10-16:50 TBD ( Kurt Hanselmann)

16:50-17:30 General discussion and preparation of 2nd day (All)

Université de Neuchâtel, Main Building, Avenue du 1er Mars

Reimbursements for CUSO Microbiologie Students:
- Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity.
- NO reimbursement for your meal expenses.

NEW from 2021: Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO.
See HERE for the procedure.
For any question concerning reimbursement please contact the coordinators at microbiologie(at)cuso(dot)ch

Lunch will be included

Registration: open

Deadline: 16.11.22

10