University student-led public engagement event: increasing audience diversity and impact in a non-science space.

There is a wealth of innovation in microbiology outreach events globally, including in the setting where the public engagement is hosted. Previous data indicate an underrepresentation of marginalized ethnic groups attending UK science-based public engagement events. This project engaged our student cohort, encompassing a diverse range of ethnic groups, to create an integrated art and science event within an existing series of adult education evenings. The study's objectives were to increase the proportion of visitors from marginalized ethnic groups and to gain a greater understanding of the impact of the event on the visitors' reported science capital. The participants' demographics, links to our students and University, and detailed impact on participants' science capital of the event were determined through analysis of exit questionnaires. There was an increase in the proportion of marginalized ethnic group visitors compared to similar previous events. A higher proportion of visitors from marginalized ethnic groups had links with our students and University compared to white/white British visitors. Elements of the exit questionnaire were mapped to the science capital framework and participants' science capital was determined. Both ethnically marginalized participants and white/white British visitors showed an increase in science capital, specifically dimensions of science-related social capital and science-related cultural capital, after the event. In conclusion, our study suggests that a student-led blended art and science public engagement can increase the ethnic diversity of those attending and can contribute towards creating more inclusive public engagement events.

Nights at the museum: integrated arts and microbiology public engagement events enhance understanding of science whilst increasing community diversity and inclusion.

This study uses integrated art and science events to explore a blended approach in improving public understanding of current scientific topics and widening participation within the local community. The events were a Halloween-inspired microbiology-themed series of interactive exhibitions hosted within a national museum as part of an existing series of adult education evenings. A representative sample of 102 mixed methods exit questionnaires, based on determining (i) audience diversity and (ii) understanding of scientific topics, were analysed by qualitative and quantitative approaches, and a post-attendance focus group was carried out to determine longer term impact of the event. Participants were grouped as 'Science', 'Arts', 'Both' or 'Neither', according to their past experience and engagement. These events welcomed more participants from the Arts and Neither subsections hence engaging a group of people who would not usually visit science public engagement events or comparative events hosted in traditional academic settings, highlighting the importance of venue choice in reaching new audiences and widening participation. An increase in perceived understanding of science was observed by all groups of participants with reported enjoyment focused around the science talks, presentations and blended art-science activities. A putative impact in science capital is observed with participants reporting an increased likelihood of attending science events in the future. Furthermore, increased discussion and awareness of science in society is evidenced by participants. Blended art and microbiology exhibitions enhance the accessibly of science public engagement events and is likely to increase science capital; the impact of this on cognitive polyphasia is also discussed.

Paramedic perceptions of the feasibility and practicalities of prehospital clinical trials: a questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials are required to strengthen the evidence base for prehospital care. This questionnaire study aimed to explore paramedics' perceptions of prehospital research and barriers to conducting prehospital clinical trials. METHODS: A self-completed questionnaire was developed to explore paramedic perceptions and barriers to undertaking prehospital trials based upon a review of existing research and semistructured qualitative interviews with five paramedics. The questionnaire was distributed by 'research champions' to 300 paramedics at randomly selected ambulance stations in Yorkshire. RESULTS: Responses were received from 96/300 participants (32%). Interest in clinical trials was reported, but barriers were recognised, including perceptions of poor knowledge and limited use of evidence, that conducting research is not a paramedics' responsibility, limited support for involvement in trials, concerns about the practicalities of randomisation and consent, and time pressures. No association was found between training route and perceived understanding of trials (p=0.263) or feeling that involvement in trials was a professional responsibility (p=0.838). Previous involvement in prehospital research was not associated with opinions on importance of an evidence base (p=0.934) or gaining consent (p=0.329). The number of years respondents had been practicing was not associated with opinions on personal experience versus scientific evidence (p=0.582) or willingness to receive training for clinical trials (p=0.111). However, the low response rate limited the power of the study to detect potential associations. CONCLUSIONS: Paramedics reported interest and understanding of research, but a number of practical and ethical barriers were recognised that need to be addressed if prehospital clinical trials are to increase.

Recovery of viable cyanophages from the sediments of a eutrophic lake at decadal timescales.

Cyanobacteria and their associated viruses (cyanophages) are abundant throughout the world in both marine and freshwater environments. The predator-prey relationship influences population dynamics within these ecosystems and facilitates the co-evolution of both organisms. Evidence of the close-linked interactions between cyanobacteria and viruses has been found extensively throughout marine biomes, but freshwater systems are less well studied. Eutrophic lake sediments potentially allow the preservation of cyanophages. If historic cyanophages could be isolated, they could provide insights into the evolution, biology and population dynamics over defined timescales. To determine whether viable phages are present in this environment, sectioned sediment cores (~ 50 cm in length) were taken from a eutrophic, stratifying lake (Rostherne Mere, Cheshire, UK). They were examined under the transmission electron microscope, and phages were isolated on two Microcystis strains PCC 7820 and BC 84/1. Viable phages were recovered from ~ 33- and ~ 50-year-old sediments. This is the first known study to investigate the viability of freshwater cyanophages recovered from dated lake sediments.