A great couple of days at the #BIGEvent26! The BSI team has been exploring new ideas in public engagement and science communication, while connecting with communicators from across the STEM community. Lots of inspiration to take forward! 🧬 @big-stem-network.bsky.social

I’ve got the inevitable nagging feeling I’ve forgotten something but very excited to be back to my old stomping grounds in York for @big-stem-network.bsky.social #BIGEvent26!

Billiam: I've Missed Something

Alt: Man speaking with text saying I've Missed Something

static.klipy.com

I wrote a thing as part of our Vaccine Engagement Day blog series at @britsocimm.bsky.social #CelebrateVaccines

British Society for Immunology@britsocimm.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Our new blog explores how vaccination programmes evolve, focusing on the introduction of the MMRV vaccine #CelebrateVaccines In 1988, combining 3 vaccines into 1 helped drive UK uptake above 90%. Now, MMRV builds on this progress... Read more 👉 vist.ly/4xr7h

Incredibly tough read but fasinating piece of 'creative non-fiction' exploring the consequences of a measles infection. Really different way to explore the immunological concepts and real-life effects www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

This Is How a Child Dies of Measles

When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak

theatlantic.com

BIG Event 2026 Registration is Open Now! Join us at the National STEM Learning Centre 15-17 July for top quality skills sharing, networking and our famous Best Demo competition! Early bird tickets and our bursary scheme are now open, with early bird closing 31 March! www.big.uk.com/BIGEvent2026

BIG Event Registration launches tomorrow! We're so delighted to share that the BIG Event will go on sale tomorrow, with Early Bird tickets, and the Bursary scheme, launching at 10am GMT. This is the cheapest way to attend, so mark your diaries, and book ASAP! www.big.uk.com/BIGEvent2026

Me, in the drinks cupboard at Christmas, and I have a plate full of cheese and crackers

PSA

UK children to get chickenpox vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella jab

UK children to get chickenpox vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella jab

NHS to administer combined immunisation in move in line with approach in US, Canada, Australia and Germany Children in the UK are to be immunised against chickenpox at the same time as measles, mumps and rubella. The NHS across the UK’s four home nations will administer a combined vaccine to young children to protect them against all four diseases from Friday. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls

Didn't think that when I joined my local running club in Morley a couple of years ago for some company out running that I'd end up with a bunch of new friends and doing a silly route in the shape of a Reindeer's head!

With the inevitable cancellation of trams in WY, at least we have a top quality, functioning bus network. Oh wait, I had a two hour wait (with a 9 month old baby) to get home on Friday afternoon as multiple buses just didn't turn up with zero explanation. Good job everyone.

Gareth Dennis@garethdennis.uk · 8mo ago

Remember when HS2 to Leeds was cancelled by the NIC's shitty maths and fundamental lack of expertise, and Leeds was thrown the bone of "you'll get trams" and I said those would never be delivered? Yeah, as I was saying...

Last week it was John Robins and Elis James, tonight it’s @threebeansaladpod.bsky.social. It's a comedy podcast live vibe tastings kinda week #RingTheCrabBell

Our new guide to vaccinations during pregnancy is now available! We've been working really hard on this over the past few months and we hope it is a easy to read and engaging guide that provides key information and answers common questions. #ImmunoSky 🧪 #SciComm

British Society for Immunology@britsocimm.bsky.social · 12mo ago

✨We’ve just launched our new guide to #vaccinations during #pregnancy! Understand how immunity changes, which vaccines the NHS recommends, and how they protect both parent and baby during pregnancy and beyond. Download a copy for trusted information: bit.ly/4fuRqVw

🇬🇧 The first UK data on the effectiveness of #RSV #vaccines in #pregnancy is in! 👶🏽 391 babies with RSV vs 146 controls 🧪 RSV vaccination in pregnancy was 72% effective at preventing RSV in babies, if given >2 weeks before delivery #MedSky #ImmunoSky #ObGynSky

Bivalent prefusion F vaccination in pregnancy and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in infants in the UK: results of a multicentre, test-negative, case-control study

In the real-world setting of the first season of vaccine implementation in England and Scotland, maternal RSVpreF vaccination was effective and equivalent to trial settings in reducing the risk of hos...

thelancet.com

The out of office is on and my work laptop is hidden away which means my Shared Parental Leave has officially started Very excited (and lucky) to have 3 and a bit months going on adventures with the boy!

Very happy to be re-elected Secretary and excited to see what the next 12 months holds for @big-stem-network.bsky.social!

BIG - STEM Communicators Network, UK @big-stem-network.bsky.social · last yr.

Executive Committee Results 2025 Thank you to everyone who put themselves forward to be part of exec, this amazing group of volunteers are what makes BIG able to run every year! Congratulations to those who have been duly elected, your freelance team are excited to work with you all!

Well, it's been a bit of a whirlwind and our event manager has struggled to find time for social media But here's a highlight for you! The winners of this year's Best Demo Competition, in joint 1st place, are @kathrynboast.bsky.social and @petergallivan.bsky.social

Our latest data shows an increase in the number of pregnant women getting vaccinated against #WhoopingCough. Vaccination rates in England climbed from 59% in May 2024 to nearly 73% in March this year. Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/n... #EpiSki #MedSky

🚀 Exciting update! A new team of 5 Editorial Board members and 10 Content Editors is leading the refresh of the BSI's BiteSized Immunology. The updated resource, with fresh content for learners & educators, launches early next year. See the new team ➡️ bit.ly/4nbLzI9

🌟 Beetlestone Award 2025 🌟 The Beetlestone Award Organising Committee is delighted to announce the 2025 winner of this prestigious Award, given for leadership and legacy in Communicating Science, is Dr Katie Steckles.

Stopped at a service station with a truly outstanding choice of where to get your coffee. • Costa Coffee (shop) • Costa Express (booth next to shop) • Costa Express (in WHSmiths opposite the shop) • Costa Coffee (drive thru) What is the business model here?!

🚹 Report: #PaternityLeave policies vary in Europe but the UK's offer is "one of the worst in the developed world". 🇬🇧 2 weeks at £187.18 a week 🇪🇸 6 weeks with full pay 🇩🇰 24 weeks at full pay 🇸🇪 10 months: First 390 days up to SEK47,750 (£3,590) a month. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

How UK paternity leave compares to the rest of Europe

Most dads in the UK get two weeks off work after their baby is born, but dads in many European countries get more.

bbc.co.uk

Cracking first Fathers Day. Saw some animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, ate Popeyes for tea in the drive so we didn’t disturb the boys nap and then he did a poo so big it leaked out of his nappy and onto me. Perfection.

a man with long curly hair and a beard is eating a piece of cheesecake

Alt: a man with long curly hair and a beard doing a chefs kiss

media.tenor.com

At the BIG Event 2025, we're doing things a little differently! Let's dive into some of the changes Session Themes - We've got 4 dedicated tracks of themed content across all our sessions, so you'll be able to focus on the topics which suit you! This will be clear on the web and in our brochure!

Carb loading (eating a takeaway) ahead of the big race tomorrow (a local parkrun). I'm basically a professional runner at this point.

Did you know you can join the BIG Event from anywhere in the world? The majority of our sessions will be run as hybrid, including the world famous Best Demo Competition! For just £75, you get access to all of these sessions and the resources that come with them! www.big.uk.com/BIG2025

also you all need to see this, because this is something I don't think *anybody* could predict for where this ad goes

Career opportunity ALERT! 🚀 Become a BSI BiteSized Immunology Content Editor or join the Editorial Board to oversee content for one of our most popular resources. Gain valuable experience in science communication & content creation. Apply by 23 May: bit.ly/42A4zru