We recognise a need to consider promoting protistology through engaging the public. To this end, our meeting will be interactive and informative, covering two interconnected themes:

Citizen Science, having the public engage with data collection and analysis, and
Public Engagement, providing tools for introducing protists to promote public understanding.

On day 1, we will have two keynote speakers and an interactive workshop. Then, on day 2, we invite students and postdocs to give short talks on their work, presented as if they were speaking to the public*.

Programme

Tuesday, 24th September 2024

11:00 -12:00

12:00 -13:00

13:00 -13:15

13:15 -15:00

15:00 -15:30

15:30 - 16:30

Registration and networking (with refreshments)

Light lunch

Welcome from Protistology-UK president

Keynote Talks

Georgia Ward - Citizen Science

Rod Dillon - Public Engagement: The Charismatic Protist

Refreshments

Pitching the Importance of Protists

This will be a facilitated workshop where small groups will discuss and develop strategies for pitching the importance of protists and protist research to different audiences (e.g., schools, local communities, interest groups, and charitable societies). Each group will deliver their short pitch for feedback and discussion during the following session.

Drinks Reception and Workshop Presentations

Conference dinner at the Strathmore Hotel

16:30 - 17:45

19:00

Wednesday, 25th September 2024

9:00 - 9:30

9:30 - 10:15

10:15 - 11:00

11:00 -11:30

11:30 - 12:30

12:30 -13:00

13:00

14:00

Welcome refreshments

Bettina Sonntag & Sabine Wanzenboeck

Student and PostDoc Talks

These will be 3-5-minute talks using no more than two PowerPoint slides, with “the public” being the required audience.

*See notes on presentations below.

Refreshments

Student and PostDoc Talks (continued)

Closing Remarks

Light Lunch

Museum Tours

*Day-2 talks (for students and postdocs).

Keeping with our theme, we ask that all these presentations based on project work are aimed at the public; in the following categories:

1. primary school,

2. secondary school,

3. community members with no science background,

4. decision-makers with no science background.

Talks will be no more than 5 minutes long (less if you wish to address questions) and must not use more than 2 PowerPoint slides. We will strictly adhere to this format!

Summary submission

The DEADLINE for abstract submission is the 31st August, 2024.

Please submit your summary to Protistology UK.

Please note: Title in Bold, Institutional affiliations, then summary, max 150 words.

When registering to present a talk, please indicate who your target audience is and what category your talk is aimed at. Talks will be no more than 5 minutes long (less if you wish to address questions) and must not use more than 2 PowerPoint slides. We will strictly adhere to this format!

When registering for a presentation you will be asked to provide a title and a 150 word “Summary” of your work. This is not an “abstract”. Rather it is a summary of the work you will present that is aimed at your target audience.

There are many resources on-line that provide guidance on how to present to the public. Here are a few: https://www.arunrichard.com/blog/present-to-general-audience; https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmsctech/162/162.pdf; https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/per/?page_id=6236

Registration

How to get there - details here.

Registrations are now open here!

Early bird (until 30th August 2024)

Non-students

Students

£ 120

£ 60

Regular (from 30th August 2024)

Non-students

Students

£ 170

£ 120

Meals

The conference registration includes refreshment breaks, lunch, and drinks reception, but not dinners.

Conference dinner: £45.

Please note that due to the venue's size, the conference dinner is limited to 40 people, so please register early for availability.

Hotels

Please consider booking a hotel as soon as possible. Premier Inn Hotels in the London area are good value for money, although other budget hotels are also available.

Here is a list of more affordable hotels for those on a small budget.

Visa letters

Can be supplied by Dr Anastasios Tsaousis or through P-UK.

Paramecium Press

P-UK Autumn Meeting participants can purchase Paramecium Press children's books at a discounted price!

Aggi and the Mystic Boots (£5.59)

Blake's Small Adventure (£6.29)

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