Bad Bugs, Zombies, Nordic Noir and ‘When it Changed’: Engaging the public using literature Joanna Verran Professor of Microbiology, School of Health Care Science [email protected] • Outcomes – expectations from audience? • Four speakers will describe their activities – (4 x 10min) • Question/answer/discussion • Possible activities – Developing and running a bookclub (JV) – The dos and don’ts of public engagement (KC) – Storytelling and creative writing (SF) – Conversations (JH) Bad Bugs Bookclub • Teaching and research – Encouraging cross- disciplinary thinking – Utilising skills to enrich student portfolio – Microbiology and art – Microbiology and literature • Bad Bugs Bookclub – Scientists and non-scientists read novels where infectious disease forms part of the plot – Non-scientific environment – Encourage discussion on accuracy, currency, relevance of microbiology to the novel and to everyday life – Potential for using the novel in education – Combine bookclub meetings with important dates in the science/microbiology calendar – Meeting report and reading guide on website www.hsri.mmu.ac.uk/in theloop The Hot Zone • Film screening (Outbreak) and discussion 2009 National Science Week (Manchester Museum) • Bookclub meeting (The Hot Zone by Richard Preston) • Screening repeated at British Science Festival (2010) Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks Manchester Science Festival 2009 Trip to Eyam preceding bookclub World AIDS Day • World AIDS Day 2009, community quilt project, tv documentary screening – Dorian by Will Self – student project (AIDS Sutra) • 2010, launch of SGM HIV booklet, bookclub – Dracula by Bram Stoker • 2011 MMU AIDS Banner exhibition at Manchester People’s History Museum – 28 stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen • 2009 - Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell – Guided walk • 2010 – World Water Day • Street Philosopher by Matthew Plampin World Malaria Day 2010 • Malaria Migrations, microbiology and music • Student art, research project presented • Calcutta Chromosome by Amitav Ghosh Science of the Undead • Transmission and epidemiology of infectious disease illustrated through zombies, vampires and werewolves • Manchester Childrens’ Book Festival, 2010; Twilight by Stephenie Meyer • Manchester Science Festival 2011; • ‘I am Legend’ by Richard Matheson and (3) film screenings • World War Z by Max Brooks • Zombie Institute of Theoretical Studies lecture (Oct 25th) • Pubquiz and outbreak simulations (October 25th) • The Hot Zone • Year of Wonders • The Andromeda Strain • Mary Barton • The Calcutta Chromosome • Dracula • The Satan Bug • The Street Philosopher • Star of the Sea • Toxin • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks • I am Legend • World War Z • 28 stories of AIDS in Africa .