Bac Together in Manchester
In early March 2024 brought all of our project teams together for one last time under the umbrella of the Bacterial Plant Disease Programme. We were hosted at the Manchester Institute for Biotechnology by Duncan Cameron and the Disease Suppressive Microbes team. Although a little hard to find from the outside, once inside we had the run of the spectacular atrium area and adjoining lecture theatre. Over the course of three days we shared science, collected insights and, most importantly strengthened the relationships that have formed over the past 4 years.
The first afternoon was for ECRs only. A key aim of the overarching BPD Programme was to help with training and development for the PhD students and postocs across all the projects. We started by gathering evidence on what impact being part of the programme has made to them. A Slido poll revealed that they most valued the opportunities and experiences the wider programme has provided, although building their networks was a close second. Then, at the request of co-organisers Sara Franco Ortega, Tracey Zeng and Alejandra Ordonez, we spent the rest of the session exploring job options, what it’s like to work in different organisations, and how to stay resilient during career transitions.
The next two days brought together the BPD Coordination team, colleagues from all of our 9 projects as well as guests from Defra, Scottish and Welsh Governments. Research progress is always an key theme and all nine projects shared updates via both presentations and posters. We also unveiled a set of 9 visual research summary documents, one for each project, which provide an easy to digest overview of what each project has achieved. You can download the research summaries here.
However, more important for this final meeting was to capture a sense of how far we have come in four years. Discussion sessions led by Laura Meagher and Mariella Marzano invited projects to reflect on what difference being part of the BPD programme has made, their impact journeys and what the future might hold. The impact session invited the participants to creatively represent their experiences. From snakes and ladders to rollercoasters, there were some impressive artistic skills on show. However special mention goes to the Impactron 5000 which turns the rollercoater of research into a galaxy of impact stars.
The Coordination Team now have the task of turning all the insights into a final report which will be passed on to our funders UKRI, Defra and Scottish Government to help inform future collaborations.
The meeting closed with votes of thanks for all and the premiere of this video which looks back over the four years of the BPD programme with highlights from various activities and all our projects. Many people expressed enthusiasm for continuing to work together in the future so perhaps as one chapter closes, the opening lines of the next chapter are already being written.