Grant reports

Catch Them Young: Vulture Workshops, May to November 2025

Dr Egbeja Tsobaza Idris MRSB, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Nigeria 

In Anyigba, North Central Nigeria, primary school pupils were given the chance to explore the fascinating world of hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) through an interactive conservation education programme. These birds, essential scavengers in local ecosystems, face growing threats from illegal wildlife trade and chemical poisoning. Pupils learned how vultures help maintain ecosystem health by efficiently disposing of animal carcasses and preventing the spread of disease.

Through hands-on activities, they created posters and art projects illustrating vulture ecology, while discussions and quizzes reinforced key scientific concepts. Memorable facts captured their imagination, such as how a single vulture can consume an entire carcass in just a few hours. Teachers reported remarkable engagement, noting that pupils asked thoughtful questions about the threats vultures face and eagerly shared new knowledge with peers and family. The learners gained confidence in identifying hooded vultures and understanding their ecological importance, and connected scientific concepts with real-life conservation challenges, actively participating in group activities and discussions. Local educators also gained knowledge and teaching resources, ensuring lessons on vulture conservation continue beyond the programme.

The initiative helped to highlight significant opportunities for future conservation efforts in Anyigba and neighbouring communities, looking at how expanding educational programmes to additional schools and integrating local youth into citizen-science monitoring can strengthen the protection of hooded vultures. Collaborations with community leaders, wildlife authorities and conservation organisations could also establish long-term stewardship and increase awareness of broader environmental issues, creating a lasting culture of wildlife protection in the region.

By engaging young learners today, we are cultivating a generation that appreciates the wonders of biology, understands the threats facing wildlife and is empowered to take positive action for the environment.

RHUL BioSoc networking event, March 2025

Luke Banks, secretary of the Biological Science Society at RHUL

The annual Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) BioSoc Networking Event explored the world of biological careers and was split across two days.

Organismal Day started with a talk on timber by Henry Jennings from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Georgina Monday, a lab technician at the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International, looked at biopesticides, and Konstantinos Panagiotidis from the UK Health Security Agency spoke about the intersection of biology and public health. The day finished with an inspiring talk by Callie Broaddus, the executive director and founder of youth-led conservation charity Reserva: The Youth Land Trust.

The Molecular Day shifted the focus to medical and molecular biology. Speakers included Alessandra Devoto, senior lecturer in plant science at RHUL; Deepthy Ebenezer, a trainee clinical scientist on the NHS Scientist Training Programme; Jenny Shelton, a molecular biologist at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; and Matthew Pearson, a molecular biology PhD student at RHUL.

This year we also held an activity session with every speaker, the aim being to use critical thinking in real-world situations.

Thank you to our lecturer Walter Lucchesi and the other BioSoc committee members, all of the speakers and attendees, and to the RSB for funding help.

AMR-Xperience: Bioscience Skills and Community Awareness Program, November 2025 

Tosin Senbadejo AMRSB, Fountain University, University of Ghana

During World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2025, 21 undergraduate students participated in an intensive hands-on microbiology and AMR workshop at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Ghana. The AMR-Xperience 2025 programme introduced participants to core scientific concepts underlying antimicrobial resistance while enabling them to generate and interpret real microbiological data.

Students investigated the antimicrobial properties of locally available foods (ginger, garlic and onions), isolated environmental bacteria from soil and water, and used culturing approaches to assess the effect of hygiene practices on microbial presence on the hands. These activities introduced key AMR themes, including phenotypic resistance, microbial ecology, bacterial load, aseptic techniques and mechanisms through which everyday practices contribute to infection control.

The atmosphere throughout the event was energetic and exploratory, with students expressing a strong sense of discovery as they examined their cultured plates, discussed unexpected colony growth, and asked thoughtful questions about bacterial behaviour and infection pathways. The open day featured participant presentations, a debate on antimicrobial stewardship led by the AMR Group, and interactions with visiting secondary school students and early-career researchers. By the end of the programme, participants reported increased awareness of AMR as a global health challenge and a stronger motivation to pursue further study in microbiology, bioscience and public health. Thanks to the AMR Research Group and the RSB.

Beescape: Bees, landscapes and wellbeing, May to October 2025

Professor Sharon Brookes, visiting professor at the University of Surrey and Moredun Research Institute Board

Over the summer and autumn last year, a bee habitat, landscape and community wellbeing project took place encompassing 16 activities in collaboration with community interest company Hive Helpers. From citizen science data collection on World Bee Day and bee safaris to a range of talks and workshops, 132 members of the public benefitted from involvement with activities.

The citizen science data collection took place at Runfold Ridge and Farnham Community Farm, with 148 records spanning 13 bee species and 32 forage plant species being collected. The data has been uploaded for use by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

There were seven talks, including on how looking after bees can support our wellbeing and society. Four workshops covered subjects such as wildflower identification, a wildflower seed collection session, meadow management and honey processing. Attendees of all ages went on local bee safaris as part of Farnham Walking Festival and Runfold Ridge BioBlitz, recording 39 invertebrate species. Other activities included a garden visit, herb festival, a heathland walk and a field trip to Blacknest Fields nature recovery site.