University’s Public Engagement Lead awarded prestigious fellowship

17 Feb 2017

Dr Sheena Cruickshank is one of 15 chosen by world's largest general scientific organization

The University’s Academic Lead for Public Engagement in Research Dr Sheena Cruickshank has been selected as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Public Engagement Fellow.

The AAAS, the world’s largest general scientific organization, seeks to advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people.

Sheena, a Senior Lecturer in Immunology at the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, is one of 15 infectious disease researchers from across the globe chosen for their leadership and excellence in their research careers, and interest in promoting meaningful dialogue between science and society.

They are the second cohort of the Alan I. Leshner Leadership Institute for Public Engagement with Science and will convene in June at AAAS headquarters in Washington, DC for a week of intensive public engagement and science communication training, networking, and public engagement plan development.

After the training, they will return to their institutions with resources and connections to develop and implement public engagement activities, opportunities for training other scientists in their communities, and increased capacity for public engagement leadership. AAAS staff will provide ongoing support and continuing professional development throughout their fellowship year.