Public invited to talk on antibiotic resistance
The University of Bradford together with Café Scientifique and The National Science and Media Museum invite members of the public to attend a key lecture, “Antibiotics and the Environment.”
The event will be held on Thursday, 24 November 2022 at the National Science and Media Museum, at 18:30.
Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat to public health. Worldwide, more than 1.2 million people die every year as a direct result of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
In the UK, nearly 180 people a day are diagnosed with an antibiotic-resistant infection.
Dr Kieran Manchester, Assistant Professor at the University of Bradford said: “Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the biggest threats to modern medicine. Without effective antibiotics, medical procedures such as Caesarean sections or hip replacements, cancer chemotherapy, and organ transplantation will become riskier.
"Antibiotic awareness is everyone’s concern. In January 2019, the UK Government launched its five-year national plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance and Universities must play a leading role in this. From research to education, we are creating healthcare professionals of the future, so we have a duty to help tackle this key public health issue."
Awareness campaign
In November each year, European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) and World Antibiotic Awareness week (WAAW) promote public awareness about antimicrobial resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.
Ways to reduce antimicrobial resistance are to use antibiotics sensibly when patients have bacterial infections and to prevent infection by measures such as infection prevention and control, and vaccinations.
The keynote speaker at the event is Dr Laura Carter, an Associate Professor in Soil and Environmental Chemistry and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the University of Leeds. Laura’s research focuses on understanding the fate and uptake of emerging contaminants in the natural environment, with particular focus on soil-plant systems.
The lecture is being held in honour of Professor Kevin Kerr, a former consultant microbiologist and honorary professor at the University of Bradford.
It is free to attend. Register for a place at the Cafe Scientifique website.
