You are warmly invited to join us for our colloquium: Beyond the military metaphor: re-imagining AMR. If you would like to attend, please let us know more about you, so that we can ensure a focused, balanced, discussion*.
 
The language we use to frame our relationship with microbes has profound effects. 'Crises' are imminent with the rise of microbial resistance; we face a looming 'apocalypse' as the antibiotics fail to work; we 'fight' disease, and structure public health campaigns around 'military style' campaigns. As we divide microbes into those that are friendly, and those 'superbugs' that are 'enemies' we barely think of the impact that this language has. Yet we as humans we are comprised of viruses, bacteria and fungi such that our bodies are inseparable from these. This way we understand human-microbe relations has had profound effects; but as the antibiotic era draws to an end, we now need new ways of reconceptualising our relationship with microbes.

In this workshop we explore these issues. Through a series of presentations addressing language and microbes from a range of disciplines - social sciences, the arts, microbiologists, veterinary scientists, ecologists, economists, philosophers - we will open a discussion around how we frame our understanding of human-microbe relations. Can we reimagine this relationship otherwise?


We anticipate two sets of outputs from this colloquium:

1) A consensus on on the themes that will form the basis of a position paper intended for publication with a major medical journal;

2) An outline for key concerns / issues to be addressed in future network events

 

Running order of the day:


COLLOQUIUM


13:00 - Soft opening. refreshments and networking.

13:30 - Welcome and introduction.

13:40 - Lightening talks reacting to the provocation.

14:15 - Break into smaller discussion groups.

15:00 - Feed back to main room.

15:30 - Group discussion.

16:45 - Summary of the day. Overview of key themes/threads from the session and expected outputs.

17:00 - Closing remarks and thanks. Invitation to join for a reception at the Old Library.



We look forward to hearing from you, thank-you for your time.


*Please note that filling in the application or eventbrite does not guarantee a place. We will let you know if you are unsuccessful on this occasion.