The Lymphocyte Signalling & Development ISP - Public Engagement

Scientists and PhD students within this ISP have taken part in a variety of Public Engagement activities, engaging with several key stakeholders from our local community, school pupils, politicians and journalists. In May 2011, Marc Veldhoen presented his research to MPs at SET for Britain at the House of Commons. In addition to participating in the annual Institute Schools’ Day, scientists in the Programme have presented talks to high school students on immunity, ageing and related topics. The Institute runs conferences for 6th formers and in 2007, at the Bioscience of Ageing conference, Klaus Okkenhaug explained how the immune system develops as we age. He has also given talks to the University of Cambridge Triple Helix Society and to 6th formers at the annual Nuffield Bursary awards ceremony co-ordinated by STEMTeam Cambridgeshire.

The Immunology team has also been active in at the Cambridge Science Festival since 2005, with a variety of hands-on exhibits and posters explaining the principles of the immune response. These have been designed for children from 5 years upwards and include an immunology-themed snakes and ladders, super-heroes of the immune system poster and puzzle, antibody-antigen jigsaw and the ever-popular
build your own bacterium.

Bioscience Boot Camp is a one-week intensive programme designed to give 6th formers an unrivalled insight into bioscience research through short research placements, science talks from Babraham’s researchers, careers discussions and a science/ethics workshop. Established in 2007, Boot Camp enables greater interaction with inspiring role models in science-based professions from academia to early-stage bioscience companies and the pharmaceutical industry. In 2011 some students undertook a project in the Institute’s Immunology laboratories, followed by a project in one of the campus-based Immunology companies - Immunobiology Ltd; this provided an excellent insight into the research and commercial challenges for an early-stage company developing the next generation of vaccines.

Ben Taylor at Hills Road 6th Form College who took part in this project said, ”Bootcamp has been really helpful informing my career decisions and has helped me gain a better understanding of work in a science facility”. Another Hills Road participant commented that her experience, ”Made me want to do a PhD.” 

Key publications from the Lymphocyte Signalling & Development ISP

Translating the ISP's Research into Action (KEC)

Public Engagement

Skills training