Microbiologists meet at the UCM to analyze their role in dissemination in the post-COVID period

On July 14 and 15, it will take place the 5^th Edition of the Congress "Microbiology: beyond COVID-19" which is organized by the Specialized Group on Teaching and Dissemination of the Spanish Society of Microbiology (SEM). The Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research of the Spanish National Research Council (CIB-CSIC) and the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) also collaborate in organizing this event.

More than 150 researchers, teachers, communicators, and students will participate in the congress, who will present more than 70 communications on activities in the field of teaching innovation and dissemination in Microbiology, including five, presented by CIB’s research staff and members of the Commission of Research & Society of the center.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given Microbiology enormous visibility, both in media and on social networks, but it has also revealed weak points in society's access to quality scientific culture. Likewise, the pandemic scenario has overshadowed other relevant aspects of Microbiology, related to global health challenges, climate change, and other sustainable development objectives that must be addressed.

The challenges that microbiologists face when transmitting science both to society and to students at all educational levels will be addressed throughout seven sessions of workshops and round tables. Experts such as CIB’s researcher Auxiliadora Prieto, Kenneth Timmis, Asunción de los Ríos, Fernando Valladares, Maria José Sierra, Víctor de Lorenzo, Toni Gabaldón and Ignacio López Goñi will discuss initiatives and strategies to improve communication and teaching of Microbiology.

The complete program of the congress can be found here.