Join us online on 18 October 2023 as we engender networking among academics, researchers and practitioners with a focus on climate change, diversity and Inclusion, and a special keynote lecture on forensic science. 

The climate crisis is the still most significant emergency we face as a planet and, as scientists, we need to make a positive difference at local, national and global levels. Universities and other higher education institutes (HEIs) have increasingly recognised their role in the climate crisis, and have assumed their responsibility and role in solving this global challenge with an attendant cognisance of diversity and inclusion. Their responsibilities are reflected in purposeful development of institutional policies that are realised through strategic creation of critical mass to underpin sustainable and impactful applied research.

This multidisciplinarity online event will be hosted by Dr Theresia Komang Ralebitso-Senior of LJMU and is the first from one of our AMI Global Ambassadors. Our aim is to engender networking among academics, researchers and practitioners with a passion for SDG-based work.

Speakers include Professor Laura Bishop (Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science at LJMU), Dr Alice McCloskey (Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics at LJMU), Professor Jason Kirby (Director of the School of Biological and Environmental Science and a Professor in Physical Geography at LJMU), Dr Christine Spencer (Tutor in Applied Environmental Geology and researcher in Biogeotechnics at Cardiff University) and Professor Caroline Wilkinson (Institutional Lead for Forensic Research Strategy at LJMU).

We will also be joined by a number of early career scientists and researchers with shorter presentations on the key themes.

Programme
CLIMATE ACTION  
9:15 - 9:25 Welcome and opening - Dr Komang Ralebitso-Senior & Professor Laura Bishop
9:25 - 9:45 HEI climate change policies - the LJMU case study - Professor Jason Kirby
9:45 - 10:05 Biogeochemical profiling: assessing the preservation implications of climate change on artefacts of archaeological importance - Dr Caroline Orr
10:05 - 10:25 Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation: a civil engineering perspective - Dr Christine Spencer
10:25 - 10:45 Panel Session
10:45 - 11:00 REFRESHMENT BREAK
D&I  
11:00 - 11:40

Short Presentations

  • Increasing undergraduate students’ science identity through outreach engagement - Rebecca Derry and Nanna Wuyep, Sheffield Hallam University
  • PEMENTOS: An EDI-focused peer-mentoring pilot - Professor James McEvoy, Royal Holloway, University of London
  • Enterprise in the life sciences challenge - Gemma Wattret, University of Liverpool
  • Decolonising biochemistry - Anastasios Stavrou, Nottingham Trent University
  • Analysis of Suspected Academic Irregularity Panel (SAIP) data - Karin Garrie, Nottingham Trent University
11:40 - 12:00 Diversity and inclusion in science - Dr Alice McCloskey
12:00 - 12:30 Panel Session - Join Komang and our speakers as they discuss decolonising science and answer your questions
12:30 - 13:30 LUNCH
FORENSIC SCIENCE AND PRIZES  
13:30 - 14:00

3-minute Poster Presentations

  • Blowfly Larvae, Larval Masses, and Microbiomes: Improving on a Classic - Anthony Grigsby, Michigan State University
  • Implications for Forensic Sciences, Environmental Quality and Urbanization in an Era or Climate Change and Growing Population - Phebie Watson, LJMU
  • Empowering urban poor to tackle climate crisis through self-build housing - Michael Farragher, LJMU
  • Antarctic sea cucumbers: a source of new antibiotics? - Kudzai Hwengwere, British Antarctic Survey
  • Microbial intervention: a key to resolving climate change challenges - Bukola Popoola, Ajayi Crowther University
  • Artificial Intelligence-based system to lower the energy use for adaptive thermal comfort that acknowledges different areas and different people groups - Karyono Karyono, LJMU
  • Polyaniline-bismuth ferrite based nanocomposite immobilized on liquid natural rubber as integrated adsorbents-photocatalyst for removal of ciprofloxacin antibiotic - Mhonishya Krishnamoorthy, LJMU
  • Soil microbial succession during decomposition in Michigan, USA - Kelly Waters, Michigan State University
14:00 - 14:20 Forensic science: a global perspective - Professor Caroline Wilkinson
14:20 - 14:50 Q&A
14:50 - 15:00 Closing and Poster Prizes - Dr Komang Ralebitso Senior & Dr Lucy Harper

Accessibility and Inclusion Statement

AMI is an inclusive organisation that seeks to place diversity and inclusion at the heart of all events. AMI is keen to encourage and enable as many people as possible to attend our events. If you would like to discuss accessibility, please contact us and we will do our very best to meet your requirements. The Climate Change and Diversity & Inclusion event aims to provide informative and inspirational talks on emerging topics within the field of applied microbiology and intersectional conversations that promote the inclusion and progression of marginalised groups in STEM. AMI has organised the practical arrangements for the event in a way that AMI hopes fosters inclusion and respect. AMI welcomes any feedback from attendees on how we might achieve any further improvements for future events.