Centre for Inflammation Research

Public Engagement News – 2017

Read about our 2017 public events and activities

Public Lecture on 'Vitamin D: hope or hype?'

Karen Chapman introducting Richard Mellanby and Iris Mair speakers of 'Vitamin D: hope or hype?'
November 2017: Richard Mellanby and Iris Mair delivered a public lecture on the role of Vitamin D in health and disease as part of the "Let’s talk about health" public lecture series run by the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine.

Denny and the T-team Fight Cancer

Children at Dunbar Science Club holding T-cells (four foam balls each with a different gold receptor model at the surface)
November 2017: Researchers from the MRC CIR went to Dunbar Science Club to explain how our own body protects us from infection and how future treatments for cancers might work.

Proteus pop up at Edinburgh International Book Festival

A pop-up gallery showing different images of Proteus science displayed on a wall, alongside an interactive exhibit.
August 2017: Proteus attended the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival for the very first time between 22-24 August 2017.

Bone Cancer Research Trust - Strictly Come Researching

Image of Dr Carsten Hansen receiving Bone Cancer Research Trust award
July 2017: Strictly Come Researching pump prime award for the project entitled "Targeting the Hippo Pathway for Osteosarcoma Therapy" presented to Dr Carsten Hansen and collaborators.

Science Insights 2017

Science Insights
July 2017: The MRC Centre for Inflammation Research was delighted to be involved in Science Insights 2017

Inaugural Centre Away Day Trainee awards for "Excellence in Public Engagement": Cathy Hawley and Iris Mair

Presentation of Awards
June 2017: Trainee awards for "Excellence in Public Engagement" were presented to Cathy Hawley and Iris Mair at the inaugural MRC Centre for Inflammation Research at the University of Edinburgh Away Day on 29 June 2017.

"Supercytes – the immune cell standoff" Teacher Training: MRC Festival of Medical Research event

Image of participants at MRC Festival Supercytes event
June 2017: The MRC CIR ran a free interactive workshop to introduce "Supercytes" (our new game-based schools' resource, focused on immunology and inflammation) to teachers working in Edinburgh and Lothians schools.

"Thinking Like a Scientist" – primary school workshop

Primary 5 pupils trying an experiment
June 2017: Donald J Davidson ran a workshop on "Thinking Like a Scientist" for East Linton Primary School P5’s Science week.

Pint of Science – Sex in Our City

Phoebe and Richard presenting research in Reproductive Biology to the public in the Pint of Science 'Sex in Our City' event
May 2017: PhD student Phoebe Kirkwood delivered a presentation about her research in Reproductive Biology as part of Edinburgh’s 'Pint of Science' public engagement event.

Mary Erskine’s Secondary 1 pupils visit

Image of a school child looking down a microscope
May 2017: Mary Erskine’s S1 pupils visit the CIR to learn about inflammation research

Day in the Life of a Researcher at Edinburgh – Talk to students at Northallerton School and Sixth Form College

MRC Centre for Inflammation Research and Northallerton School and Sixth Form College logos
May 2017: Discussion with students at Northallerton School and Sixth Form College on Scientific Research at Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Café Scientifique: Surprising Targets for Harmful Air Pollution Particles

Image of Cafe Scientifique logo
May 2017: The Edinburgh Café Scientifique hosted an informal discussion on the health effects of air pollution with Professor Ken Donaldson, Dr Mark Miller and Dr Craig Poland, University of Edinburgh.

CIR at the Edinburgh International Science Festival 2017

Image of children playing with a ball pool
April 2017: The CIR participates at the Edinburgh International Science Festival with the Amazing Immunology workshop

Scottish Schools Education Research Centre Training : Supercytes

March 2017: The Centre's new educational resource 'Supercytes' was presented to High School biology teachers at a Scottish Schools Education Research Centre CPD Training event.

George Heriot’s school visit to give pupils an insight into animal research

Facts and Figures
March 2017: Scientists discuss animal welfare and ethics with sixth form pupils.