As a member of the Royal Society of Biology, AMI gets the chance to send participants to their annual Voice of the Future event in Parliament. In 2026, we sent six attendees and got the chance to ask science and technology related questions to leading parliamentarians.
From one bench to another: Representing early-career scientists at Parliament’s Voice of the Future
Tyler Myers, an MPhil Candidate at the University of Cambridge, reports back from the Royal Society of Biology’s Voice of the Future event at Parliament, where he served as a guest panelist representing Applied Microbiology International.
"Taking part in the Voice of the Future event was a fantastic opportunity to speak directly with policymakers shaping the UK research landscape. As a researcher working on microbiology and animal disease models to explore treatments for rare diseases, it was encouraging to see the life sciences recognised as vital national infrastructure. The discussion also highlighted just how important it is for scientists to engage in policy, so that research is properly supported and discoveries can have real-world impact."
Alan Koh
MCR Research Scientist
"It was an honour to represent AMI at Voice of the Future 2026 at the Houses of Parliament. The event provided a valuable opportunity to hear a range of perspectives on current issues, including the role of public institutions in preventing the spread of misinformation, research funding in the UK, and the importance of scientists’ voices in policymaking. I was particularly inspired by the discussion on government action to tackle misinformation. As scientists, our work has significant benefits for society, and it is vital that we engage beyond academia to maximise its impact. For me personally, this event helped strengthen my skills and confidence in communicating with policymakers."
As a sponsor of the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee (P&SC), AMI had the opportunity to lead one of their recent Discussion Sessions, which are held to address various topics in science and technology. AMI’s President Jack Gilbert presented on the topic “What you need to know about ... how microbes are a crucially overlooked part of environmental and biodiversity legislation”, addressing parliamentarians, policy professionals and researchers.
Over 100 scientists, MPs, and sector leaders gathered at Parliamentary Links Day 2025 to discuss the role of science in policy, with speeches highlighting the UK’s strengths in research and the importance of evidence-based decision-making. RSB News Story about the day!
Click the image to read the full RSB article or click here.
As a member of the Royal Society of Biology, AMI gets the chance to send participants to their annual Voice of the Future event! In 2025, the event was virtual and we got the chance to ask parliamentarians about the use and development of antimicrobials across the One Health spectrum!
Read the Royal Society of Biology news story summarising the event. They highlight the importance of collaboration between scientists and government to address major challenges and strengthen the UK’s research landscape.
Click the image to read the full RSB article or click here.
Scientists, policymakers, and MPs came together at Parliamentary Links Day 2023 to discuss the theme of science and economic development, highlighting how research and innovation can drive UK growth. The event emphasised stronger collaboration between science and government, with discussions on skills, investment, and translating research into real-world economic and societal benefits.
Click the image to read the full RSB article or click here.
