A Superbugs Master (MSc) class📜
Combining postgraduate research training, public engagement, and primary school science education
Since 2018, we have been delivering projects that take a research-driven approach to public engagement, involving rigorous evaluation of the methodologies of delivery and the mechanics of communication. Our overall aim is to raise awareness and improve public knowledge of microbiology, infection and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
In our latest project, four postgraduate students undetook research projects as part of their Master of Science (MSc) studies at Swansea University. After a period of literature appraisals, the students chose to focus on the topic of personal and food hygiene and were tasked with collecting information on effective strategies for educating young children. Taking advantage of a focus group of primary school teachers, the students then designed evidence-informed educational activities and the evaluation strategies by which the impact of these would be assessed. A pilot delivery of these activities was carried out in a community setting at the Swansea Central Library, before final delivery as part of a school outreach workshop in Bridgend.
The MSc students produced three new elements of educational material; a story book, a treasure hunt and an interactive card game, primarily built around the concepts of challenge and gamification. Feedback collected from primary school pupils aged 6–7 years old and teachers indicated that the activities developed were successful in both being engaging to young people and resulting in an improved knowledge on the chosen topics.
Taken together, we present evidence that postgraduate research training, underpinned by active and service learning, represents a valid and effective way of delivering impactful public engagement. In turn, the experience holds benefit for the students not only in terms of their academic study and core scientific skills, but also their wider appreciation and confidence in being effective engagers and science communicators.
A paper summarising these achievements has now been published in Frontiers in Microbiology.
This paper forms part of the special research topic “The Role of Education in Raising Awareness Towards Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)”.
This project would not have been possible if not for the time and effort volunteered by a number of parties.
Firstly, the staff and volunteers at Swansea Central Library, who facilitated the initial fact-finding workshops. Secondly, the Year 2 teachers at Cefn Glas Infants School who gave up time and space to allow the delivery of our final workshop in their class. Finally, to the MSc BMS students who volunteered their time to support their peers in the delivery of the workshops at both Swansea Central Library and Cefn Glas Infants school; Roshan Madackal Roy, Reshma Bhaila, Vijaya Koppisetti, Afnan Al Sulami, and Prakash Kurisinkal.
