This is a session on effective communication and translating science, where you’ll learn how to present your research clearly and confidently to a range of audiences. From salary negotiation and handling tough questions under pressure, to creating impactful visuals and participating in outreach like Soapbox Science, this session will cover practical tools to elevate your communication skills.

Whether you’re giving a talk, or breaking down complex ideas, come gain insights that will help your science connect and inspire and try out what you have learnt by drawing and presenting your work at the end of the session.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites stop responding to antimicrobial medicines. It is deemed to be the next pandemic, and stringent actions need to be taken to mitigate it. It is closely linked to the One Health concept involving humans, animals and the environment, hence its prevalence can be widespread if adequate measures are not taken as surveillance and to mitigate its spread.

The AMAST (AMR in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary) Network coordinates the agri-food trans-disciplinary community engaged in AMR activities covering crop, livestock and aquaculture sectors.  The network will engage in interactions with industry, trade associations, policy makers, and academia involved in food production. It is led by Dr Matthew Gilmour (Quadram Institute) and Dr K Marie McIntyre (Newcastle University). AMAST is one of the eight networks on AMR funded by UKRI under its Transdisciplinary Network to tackle AMR.

The AMAST (AMR in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary) Network is dedicated to protecting the future of our food systems and public health by addressing antimicrobial resistance through collaborative, innovative research and action.

In the AMAST Network we bring together farmers, scientists, food producers, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to develop practical, evidence-based solutions for optimising antimicrobial use while maintaining productive and sustainable food systems.

One of the activities as part of AMAST will be a Panel Discussion about AMR at the Early Career Researchers (ECRs) conference organised by the British Soil Science Society (BSSS) in Manchester.

The Panel Discussion brings together experts who will share their experience in managing AMR from an academic, practitioner and policy perspective. The Panel Discussion will be an engaging dialogue amongst experts who will highlight their approaches in tackling AMR including challenges and opportunities whilst engaging with the audience in Q&A session. This session will be informative as it will cover aspects ranging from R&D, practical solutions, policy interventions covering UK and international aspects. As this session is organised as part of an ECR event, the career journeys of the panellists will naturally provide an excellent example for the aspiring scientists and practitioners who will be in the audience.

Ruben has more than 20 years of experience in determining nutrient dynamics in soils associated with application of organic amendments such as compost, manure, slurry, sewage sludge, biochar and digestates. His work explores the resource efficiency and reliability of organic amendments as alternative sources of fertilisers to reduce demand on inorganic fertilisers to promote regenerative agriculture. His research covers development of novel fertilisers including organo-mineral fertilisers (OMF). Whilst OMFs offer exciting opportunities there are challenges in it related to AMR involving use of manure as part of the feedstock. He is also member of the National Environment Research Council (NERC) Peer Review College and sits within the Advisory Board of Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA). He is technical committee member for the British Standard Institute CII/37 – Fertilisers and related chemicals and the European Committee for Standardization CEN TC 260/WG 8 – Organic and organo-mineral fertilizers.

Lisa began her career in agriculture as a practicing veterinarian where she worked in mixed practice for 4 years and established a successful herd health club with clients. She then moved to Bristol University to complete a PhD exploring a participatory, farmer-led approach to reducing antimicrobial use, which went on to win the Antibiotic Guardian Awards for research. Lisa then had a brief jolly working in New Zealand helping dairy farmers and vets practice responsible medicine use and before becoming Head of Livestock at Innovation for Agriculture, where she ran several knowledge exchange projects at European and local level. Lisa now works at the Royal Agricultural University where she splits her time between teaching and doing applied farmer-led research on sustainable farming methods, such as breeding ruminants, composting slurry and managing wastewater, as well as social science projects on understanding the impacts of cultured meat and improving the sustainability of the broiler sector.

Elwyn is the chairman of the British Egg Processors association (BEPA) and Chief Financial Officer for Oaklands Farm Eggs Ltd., a company with over 28 years of successful egg production and marketing, recognised internationally as a Centre of Excellence for egg production. In addition to his role at Oaklands Farm, Elwyn is also a Director of Griffiths Family Foods Ltd., Griffiths Green Enterprises Ltd., and other farming businesses. The Griffiths family is now in its third generation of farming, with a proud heritage spanning more than 65 years. The company also operates five rearing sites across the UK, producing day-old chicks under the British lion eggs code of practice; reflecting its commitment to animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.

Phil Taylor graduated from the University of London Wye college with a first in Plant Sciences. He then did a PhD at John Innes institute before taking on various post docs ultimately landing a permanent post at the University of Hull. However, at the age of 34 his career took a major change and left academic life to become a farmer. He farmed for 15 years growing top fruit, potatoes and combinable break crops both conventionally and organically. Then he underwent another change or career and began working for CABI. At CABI he has been influential in the Plantwise programme providing training and support to agricultural extension services in low and middle income countries and has developed training in crop diagnosis and biosecurity.

Tim is a farmer turned farm advisor, supporting others on their transition towards regenerative and biological systems of production through his advisory organisation Earth Farmers. He has over twenty years of farming experience under his belt. More recently he transformed a high input conventional arable farm into a thriving regenerative organic system within three years, utilising plants, biology and the management of livestock. His focus is on soil health across the physical, the mineral and the biological.

Mandy has had over 30 years of veterinary experience in farm animal work. Initially in farm practice, she then completed a PhD then spent time developing vaccines for farm animals. She established a veterinary pathology service and was a senior lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College. Her expertise, and research focus, is in diseases of farm animals and their control including responsible antibiotic use.