The 13^th Biology Week hosted by the Royal Society of Biology saw people from across the UK and around the world taking part in events, competitions, and talks.

It’s a Wild Life talk by George McGavin Hon FRSB

Beginning the week was an RSB member-exclusive event; a talk by academic entomologist George McGavin Hon FRSB outlining his fascinating career. Delivered with enthusiasm and good humour, George spoke of his experience of academia (having been a professor at the University of Oxford for 30 years) prior to shifting to a career in wildlife television with the BBC’s Natural History unit. He discussed his first-hand experience of these two different career routes and the rewarding nature of both kinds, before members – with over 150 in attendance – were given time to ask questions. An event recording will be available to RSB members soon.

Stills from George McGavin Hon FRSB's online talk

Science and Stormont

The RSB NI Branch Outreach Champion Award was presented to Yasna Najmi for her doctoral work on studying the effects of green tea on gum disease at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Science and Stormont event in Belfast.

Awards Ceremony and networking event

The RSB’s annual Awards Ceremony took place at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in South Kensington, London with more than 100 guests in attendance – the most highly attended RSB Awards Ceremony to date. Awards were presented to the winners of several RSB competitions including: Photographer of the Year and Young Photographer of the Year; BioArtAttack (2D); Apprentice of the Year; School Biology Teacher of the Year; and the Higher Education Biology Teacher of the Year. The President’s Medal was presented by the RSB’s President Professor Sir Ian Boyd FRSB to Dr Richard Briggs MBE CBiol FRSB and Dr Paul Brooker FRSB for their invaluable contributions to the Society and the wider field of biology. The evening also saw the unveiling of our new digital series ‘Biology for a Better Tomorrow’ in collaboration with media company Content With Purpose.

RSB Chief Executive Dr Mark Downs CBiol CSci FRSB (left) and RSB President Professor Sir Ian Boyd FRSB (right) with some of our award winners 

STEM schools talk

Winner of this year’s School Biology Teacher of the Year, Dr Ali Bune, chaired the STEM Schools Talk for school students. Featuring scientists from the worlds of molecular modelling, coral reef research, and studying wildlife from space, the aim was to introduce students to different areas of biological study, and to showcase inspiring role models. Over 150 participants were in attendance, many of whom were classrooms full of students, which was a two-fold increase on last year’s attendance. Students were also given the opportunity to have their questions answered.

Arun Pandurangan, Senior Research Associate in the Heart and Lung Research Institute, Department of Medicine, at the University of Cambridge, gave the first talk focusing on how molecular modelling is used to understand proteins and antimicrobial resistance.

Miranda Lowe CBE FRSB, Principal Curator at the Natural History Museum, then spoke on coral reefs, the threats they face, and the role of museums in understanding them.

The final speaker was Dr Peter Fretwell, leading scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, whose talk shone a spotlight on studying wildlife from space. In particular, he has been documenting and researching penguin colonies based on satellite images of guano distribution. Satellites are also proving key to studying whale and walrus populations, which are otherwise difficult to chart.

An event recording will be available on our YouTube channel soon.

Behind the Scenes at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

As part of the RSB Plant Health Series, an exclusive visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was organised for the latter half of Biology Week. Attendees – over 60 in total – had the opportunity to visit one of the UK’s most important botanical research institutes, participate in guided tours, and engage with experts in plant health.

There were several speakers throughout the day giving talks, the first of whom was Professor Jeremy Pritchard, Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Professor Pritchard introduced the RSB Plant Health Series and the Plant Health Professional Register, highlighting their role in building the UK’s plant health capability, capacity, and resilience.

Louise Gathercole, Suzanne Sancisi-Frey, and Alexandra Ash from the Centre for Forest Protection also shared CFP’s plant health research and their plans for education and training before Kew’s own Dr Laura Kelly then discussed her team’s genomic approaches for tackling threats to ash trees.

Special thanks to the brilliant teams at Kew’s Quarantine Unit, Herbarium, and Fungarium for giving attendees a look behind the scenes at their incredible work. Despite the slightly drizzly English weather, the day was enjoyed by all.

Alexandra Ash from the University of Southampton giving a talk during the Kew visit

Spelling Bee competition

After a brilliant inaugural year last year for the RSB’s Spelling Bee, the competition returned this year with over 240 schools participating from around the world. The Spelling Bee competition is an RSB Outreach and Engagement Grant Scheme funded activity, run by Jon Hale, Assistant Head, at Beaulieu Convent School Jersey.

This year’s winners were:

Year 7: Amina Khan from Bolton School, Greater Manchester
Year 8: Laasya Chukka from North Cestrian School, Altrincham
Year 9: Naina Kurup from Red House School, Teesside
Year 10: Ria Nainu from Herschel Grammar, Berkshire
Year 11: Saksham Rana from Herschel Grammar, Berkshire
Year 12: Micah Cartwright from New-Bridge Integrated College, County Down, Northern Ireland
Year 13: Amelina Rahman from Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School, Hertfordshire

Congratulations to all the winners and all the schools that took part and many thanks again to Jon Hale for organising a great event again.

Initiatives to get involved with post-Biology Week

Despite Biology Week being over for another year, there are still many ways to get involved.

Royal Society of Biology travel grants

The RSB’s travel grants are now open. This is an opportunity for AMRSB and early-career MRSB members of the Royal Society of Biology to apply for a travel grant of up to £1,000 to support future travel in connection with biological study, teaching, or research. The funding can be put towards learning new lab and field techniques, gaining professional development skills, and networking with academics. Applications close on Friday 24 January 2025.

BioCraft competition

The BioCraft competition (previously BioArtAttack 3D) is now open to entries. Create a biology-inspired 3D artwork from recycled, or other, materials. Submit a photo of your artwork for entry by Monday 4 November.

The Memory Game is still available to take part in, and the third series of our A-Z of the Biosciences videos has just launched, showcasing different careers in the biosciences and recently recommended by The Sunday Times.

This year’s #IAmABiologist campaign launched during Biology Week as part of our Biology for a Better Tomorrow series with CWP. Follow us on Instagram for weekly videos showcasing a day in the life of biologists across the biosciences.

Save the date

It’s been an eventful and enjoyable week full of events and meeting new people all coming together for their involvement in the biosciences. Next year’s Biology Week will take place in Autumn 2025 – we hope to see you there!

With thanks to BBSRC for ongoing support of our work including this year’s Biology Week and CWP.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew