Mel Lacey

Jacket design for Darwin and the Queer Origins of Life: A History of Sex and Science by Ross Brooks. It features a historic, drawn image of a gynandromorph gypsy moth, with distinctive female patterning on its left side and male on its right. Against a black background, the image and text (title and author's name) are brightly rendered in a spectrum of colours resonant of the Progress Pride Flag.

My first book, Darwin and the Queer Origins of Life, will be published by Yale University Press on 11 August (UK) and 8 September (US). Please help spread the word! 🙏

UK: yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300... @yalebooks.bsky.social 🏳️‍🌈📚🐵

US: yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300... @yalepress.bsky.social 🏳️‍⚧️ 🗃️🦋

Check out our most recent publication. New undergraduate students use of social media forms an integral part of their studies, with different groups being used for different functions @dave-thesmith.bsky.social @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1042/ETLS...

Game Changer: Exploring the Role of Board Games in the Lives of Autistic People - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders This mixed methods paper reports findings from three studies examining the overlap between autism and hobbyist board gaming. The first was a quantitative survey of over 1600 board gamers, showing…

Game Changer: Exploring the Role of Board Games in the Lives of Autistic People link.springer.com/article/10.1... #BoardGames #Autisim #GameBasedLearning

Night view of Belfast City Hall illuminated with colourful lights, promoting registration for Annual Conference 2026 at ICC Belfast from April 13-16.

Annual Conference is the UK's largest annual gathering of microbiologists. Register now to secure your spot: microb.io/AC26Register #Microbio26

Visual description: Invitation for people to discover the Microbiology Society's new journal: Microbiology Horizons. In the image, the cover design of Microbiology Horizons is also visible, emphasising cutting-edge microbiology research and solutions.

We are delighted to announce Microbiology Horizons, the new title connecting microbiology with data science, engineering, social science and other disciplines to address global challenges. Read the full announcement: microb.io/4o8FyuX

Happy to share our latest research about undergraduate students as role models for new scientists.

shura.shu.ac.uk/36347/1/Lace...

For over 25 years, science and discovery centres have been at the heart of inspiring millions of people to explore, question, and be part of UK science and technology.

But they're seriously under threat… 1/3

We're working on building a #ViCEPHEC25 starter pack, which you can find here. Starter packs let you follow a group of people at once.

Message if you'd like to be added/removed - this is very much a work in progress. go.bsky.app/FffPieC

Figure 1: "Individual dogs and their trained objects. All 12 dogs successfully trained to retrieve two objects using object names as verbal referents." They're presented in a grid as adorable pups with their two trained objects.

Do dogs really understand words or are they just responding to inflection & body language?

This 2018 study using fMRI brain-mapping says they *DO* understand our words.

I'll explain, but first, let's acknowledge the adorable participants, 12 dogs who were trained at home to retrieve two objects.

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr @farhanagokhool.bsky.social (University of Bedfordshire) as our second keynote at #UKSTEMConf25!
She’ll share her insights around maths anxiety, and how inclusive, empathetic support can break down barriers for underrepresented & neurodiverse STEM learners.

Advertising about the Microbiology Society's 80th Anniversary, inviting people to publish their microbiology articles with us, the call to action is "Submit Today"

The Society has supported the microbiology community for 80 years. Now we invite you to get involved by submitting your research, helping to shape the future of science and innovation. Publish with us - microb.io/Publishing-f...

Erin Brady shared how in depth qualitative analysis of students' experiences can be shared through stories #ukstemconf25

My take homes:
1) Longitudinal interview data is awesome
2) need to be careful tell students the stories of other, as we speak from own lens
3) stories let students feel seen

Dylan Jones gives an holistic view of decolonising the BMS curriculum #ukstemconf25

May take homes:
1) listening to students is essential
2) staff are onboard
3) lack of diverse medical images is massive issue

Becky Barnes et al taking about how to support students with exams #ukstemconf25

My take homes:
1) evaluation of exam skills is key
2) mock exams are really useful
3) give students expalmars of exam answers of different grades
4) what are students doing with all the exam questions they request

First subject talk of the day #UKSTEMConf25. Chris Love talking about student self support.

My take homes
1) transitioning to HE requires different study skills
2) students can be taught self evaluation & study skills theories in an accessible way
3) this can be scaffolding into to subject module

Super excited for the #LSTeachingInnovationAwards #UKstemconf25

Innovative work from Holly Matthews et al in using card cards to teach health and safety #ukstemconf25

My take homes:
1) These card games are awesome
2) and an open resource

figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/articles/edu...

figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/articles/edu...

figshare.edgehill.ac.uk/articles/edu...

@annajkirkham.bsky.social starts the lab skills strand with her work on integrating videos into labs.
#ukstemconf25

My take homes are:
1) videos of lab skills can be used by students at different times
2) ask students what videos they'd find helpful
3) film students are great at making videos

Kathryn Dudley next up talking about barriers to uptaking a BMS placement #UKSTEMConf25

My take homes:
1) accessibility of BMS placements is important
2) funding is key
3) travel and cost is a close second
4) those with disabilities and those who are carers are less likely to apply

Great first subject talk #UKSTEMConf25 by Sam Johnson. Using the self-efficacy framework to better understand first year students to better. My take homes:
1) mastery is success as well as practice
2) stress is important
3) students need skills/ framework to manage stress and time management

I’m happy to share that our latest paper 📜 is now online.

Embedding Generative AI as a digital capability into a year-long skills program. | Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice doi.org/10.53761/fh6...

Check out our latest paper: doi.org/10.53761/fh6...
We co-designed our MSc programme to embed AI skills, confidence and ethical understanding.

This couldn’t have happened without our amazing student co-authors: Dami, Skye, Charlie and Chinenye
@dave-thesmith.bsky.social @nigelfrancis.bsky.social

True story ⤵️

Super proud to be part of the ##UnravellingBiofilms workshop at the #FoFD @festofdebate.bsky.social.

We were chats to folks about sewage fungus, river pollution and our hopes for the Don and her catchment... whilst crafting!

#Crochet #NeedleFelting #SciArt

@sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social

They've grown up so fast.... and now the nest is empty 😔.

They did really well though, 6 fledglings from 8 eggs

AMR remains a serious and growing challenge, despite the UK’s National Action Plan. The Microbiology Society continues to champion evidence-based policy and expert engagement. Find out more here: microb.io/3VrnC3m

External Event Grant Funds are available to support eligible members presenting work at scientific or education meetings, short courses or training events relevant to Microbiology.

External Event Grant Awards of up to £750 are available for eligible members as a contribution towards the costs of registration, travel, and accommodation to attend an event beginning in the period 01 Sept – 31 Dec 2025. Apply now before the deadline 01 July at 23:59 BST- microb.io/453Lo8W

Babies!

Applications for Outreach and Engagement grant are now open. Eligible members can apply for up to £1000 to support relevant science outreach or public engagement initiatives. Apply before the deadline 01 May 25 at 23:59 BST. Apply here: microb.io/OutreachandE...

This is a lovely and well considered @microbiologysociety.org paper introducing and comparing three different citizen science projects.

I'd strongly recommend a read for those thinking of starting a #CitizenScience project as well as folks interested in #PublicEngagement and #Outreach