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International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place every year on 3 December, during UK Disability History Month. Both look to highlight the challenges faced by Disabled people. Member, Iga Wieczorek, has provided insights on her personal experiences, those of others and what needs to change.

LGBTQ+ STEM Day takes place annually on 18 November to celebrate and highlight the work and barriers of LGBTQIA+ people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). 

This year, we caught up with Members Panel member, Liam Cremona. He shared his insights and journey as a Gay person working in STEM. 

Celebrated annually during the month of October in the UK, Black History Month recognises the contributions, culture and history of Black people. This year, we spoke to Onalenna Neo, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK, who shared her experiences as a Black scientist and reflected on the vital role of Black representation and visibility in the science.  

South Asian Heritage Month takes place annually from 18 July to 17 August. The awareness month was started by the South Asian Heritage Trust, which seeks to elevate the prominence of British South Asian history and heritage in the UK. This year’s theme is ‘Roots to Routes’, which honours the journeys and experiences that have shaped South Asian identities across generations. To celebrate this year’s theme, Society Impact and Influence Committee member, Dr Arya Gupta shares his story and career journey so far.

June is Pride Month; a month that celebrates and honours those within the LGBTQIA+ community and recognises their ongoing fight for equal rights and acceptance. During this year’s Annual Conference, held in Liverpool, UK, the Microbiology Society’s member-led group, Queer in Microbiology, hosted their fourth LGBTQ+ Networking Event, in collaboration with the collective artists group, Flow.Walk.Drag. Champion, Rebee Penrice-Randal, reflects on their experience at the event and the importance of such events in ensuring microbiology is inclusive and accessible to all.

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is an annual event that takes place on 17 May to raise awareness of the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community and celebrates its diversity. This year’s theme, ‘the power of communities’, shines a light on the strength, unity and resilience within LGBTQ+ groups around the world.

To mark the day, this year we caught up with member and Champion, Daniel, to discuss his experiences at the LGBTQ+ social event, held at the Society's Annual Conference 2025.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness on digital accessibility and inclusion for disabled people and those living with impairments. To mark the day, we caught up with member, Kathryn Burdon, to discuss their experience as a BSc student diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event that celebrates Deaf identity and raises awareness of the Deaf community, its language, culture and history.

This year, it takes place from 5–11 May and to mark the week, we caught up with Members Panel member and Journal of General Virology  Editor, Sharon Brookes, to discuss her experiences as a microbiologist who has experienced hearing loss for most of her career.

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The day is aimed at achieving gender equality and empowerment for women and girls by promoting full and equal access to and participation in science.

This year, we caught up with Society Champion, Dr Orla Sherlock, to discuss her experiences as a woman working in microbiology and find out more about the outreach work she has been doing. 

South Asian Heritage Month takes place 18 July to 17 August. The awareness month was started by the South Asian Heritage Trust, which seeks to elevate the prominence of British South Asian history and heritage in the UK. This year’s theme is ‘Free to Be Me’, aiming to showcase and embrace the rich narratives of South Asian communities. To celebrate this year’s theme, Society Champion Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes shares his story and career journey so far.

The month of July marks Disability Pride Month –  a month dedicated to celebrating difference and diversity among the disabled community. To highlight this awareness month, we caught up with retired member, Sharon Brookes, who has worn many Society hats during her career. Sharon shares her experience navigating academia with a disability, and gives advice to others with disabilities working in science.

In aid of The International Day of Women and Girls in Science Clare spoke to Professor Iruka Okeke and Professor Judith Armitage to discuss women in science. In this episode they discuss the importance of mentors, promotions in academia and the inequalities of maternity leave and Clare gains valuable insights from Judy and Iruka's impressive careers.  

Each year, Dyslexia Awareness Week gives us a chance to take some time to reflect and learn about the everyday challenges people can face when they have dyslexia. In this episode, Adam, (who has dyslexia himself) speaks to Dr John Munnoch, who was diagnosed with dyslexia around the age of 8, to discuss how he has been challenged within the field of microbiology. John also explains how he has found his own way of learning, and how he has benefitted from the support of his family, friends and colleagues throughout his career.