Annual Conference 2025: upcoming abstract deadline

The Microbiology Society is pleased to announce the winners of our 2026 Prizes, which will be awarded at Society’s Annual Conference 2026 in Belfast from 13–16 April, where the winners will present their Prize Lectures. The winners are nominated by, and selected by, our membership.  
 
The Microbiology Society’s Prizes recognise excellence and are awarded to those making significant contributions in the field of microbiology, based on nominations received from across the membership. Winners are selected for their work to advance understanding of microbiology and champion the contribution made by microbiology, our members and their work in addressing global challenges. 

Every year, we celebrate our thriving microbiology community through our Annual Conference, which provides opportunities to amplify our members’ voices and advance the understanding of microbiology and the ways it can have an impact and influence in the world.

I am delighted to welcome everyone to Annual Conference 2025, which returns this year to Liverpool. I am looking forward to the fantastic opportunity offered by Conference to talk to as many members as possible across the week.

As part of its commitment to nurturing an inclusive and welcoming culture within the microbiology community, the Society launched the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Prize in November 2023 with plans to hold its inaugural award lecture during Annual Conference 2025.

Ahead of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Prize Lecture, Dr. Rebee Penrice-Randal interviewed Dr. I’ah Donovan-Banfield, Dr. Ariangela Kozik, Dr. Nikea Pittman, Dr. Chelsey Spriggs, Dr. Ninecia Scott, and Dr. Kishana Taylor to find out more about how this initiative started and the impact this has had in microbiology and to Black microbiologists.

Each year, the Microbiology Society awards the Translational Microbiology Prize Lecture (formerly the Unilever Colworth Prize Lecture) to an individual who has made a significant contribution to translational microbiology.

Ahead of the Translational Microbiology Prize Lecture, Julia Sanchez-Garrido interviewed Professor David Aanensen to learn more about his career and how it feels to win a Microbiology Society prize.

Each year, the Microbiology Society awards the Fleming Prize to an individual who has made a distinct contribution to microbiology early in their career.

Ahead of the Fleming Prize Lecture, Early Career microbiologist Kasia Parfitt interviewed Professor César de la Fuente to learn more about his career and how it feels to win a Microbiology Society prize.