Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Sep 22;5(9):000676.v3.
doi: 10.1099/acmi.0.000676.v3. eCollection 2023.

Reflections on the Teaching Symposium at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2023

Melissa M Lacey  1 , Kirsty L Jones  2 , Monika Gostić  3 , Victoria Easton  4 , Georgios Efthimiou  5 , Bridget G Kelly  6 , Alison I Graham  7
Affiliations

Reflections on the Teaching Symposium at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2023

Melissa M Lacey et al. Access Microbiol. .

Abstract

The Microbiology Society Education and Outreach Network (EON) recently hosted the Teaching Symposium at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference, sponsored by Access Microbiology. The presence of the Symposium as an established parallel session within the wider Annual Conference reflects the importance of high-quality, contemporary microbiology education and outreach delivered in an enthusiastic and inclusive manner. At the 2023 Symposium, a variety of pedagogical research projects in higher education learning, teaching and assessment, as well as public engagement projects, were showcased through invited talks, offered talks, flash talks and posters. The event was attended by up to 70 delegates. Several themes were noted throughout the day: engaging with Gen Z (Generation Z, those born between 1996 and 2010), active learning, art in science and engaging with non-higher education (HE) audiences. Inclusivity was a key driver in the organization of the Symposium; the room was set up to encourage discussion and participants could ask questions using an online platform as well as speaking in the room. We now encourage all speakers to consider publishing their work as a peer-reviewed article for further dissemination and impact.

Keywords: active learning; education; inclusive practice; outreach; pedagogy; public engagement.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Georgios Efthimiou is Pedagogy Editor of Access Microbiology.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Briony Thomas presenting her collaborative research on art in science with tactile models in the foreground.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Diane Ashiru-Oredope sharing a range of methods to engage both HE and non-HE audiences.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Cabaret-style seating throughout the Symposium facilitated discussion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Duckett CJ, Hargreaves KE, Rawson KM, Allen KE, Forbes S, et al. Nights at the museum: integrated arts and microbiology public engagement events enhance understanding of science whilst increasing community diversity and inclusion. Access Microbiol. 2021;3:000231. doi: 10.1099/acmi.0.000231. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Efthimiou G, Tucker NP. Microbes against humanity, a workshop game for horrible students: using a creative card game in higher education microbiology teaching. Access Microbiol. 2020;3:000186. doi: 10.1099/acmi.0.000186. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Graham AI, Harner C, Marsham S. Can assessment-specific marking criteria and electronic comment libraries increase student engagement with assessment and feedback? Assess Eval High Educ. 2022;47:1071–1086. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2021.1986468. - DOI
    1. Pincott H, Hughes M, Cummins T, Morse DJ. Building blocks of biofilms - an engaging and hands-on microbiology outreach activity for school children and the general public. Access Microbiol. 2023;5:000467.v3. doi: 10.1099/acmi.0.000467.v3. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Lacey MM, Shaw H, Abbott N, Dalton CJ, Smith DP. How students’ inspirations and aspirations impact motivation and engagement in the first year of study. Educ Sci. 2022;12:885. doi: 10.3390/educsci12120885. - DOI

LinkOut - more resources