The University Flagship Programme ‘One Student, One Campus, One Life – Action on Antibiotic Drug Resistance’ are holding a number of events to mark World Antibiotics Awareness Week and European Antibiotic Awareness Day.

The events include:

• Tuesday 14 November – Professor Joanna Verran will deliver a seminar entitled ‘Be careful where you touch: antibiotic drug resistance and surfaces’. Professor Verran is a microbiologist and Head of Science Communication and Engagement, in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University.

You can sign up via Eventbrite.

• Wednesday 15 November – Come along to one of our student-led information stands to explore how much you know about antibiotics, pledge your support for Antibiotic Guardians and find out the unsettling truth about how clean your hands are. Look out for the orange t-shirts at the following locations: Alan Turing Foyer, Reynold Foyer, Stopford foyer, Jean McFarlane.

• Thursday 16 November – Staff, students and the public are invited to attend our panel discussion to explore ‘Antibiotic Drug Resistance: a focus on the environment’. Chair Professor Kay Marshall will be joined by a number of guest speakers:
  • Professor Cliodna McNulty, Head of Primary Care Unit at Public Health England will discuss ‘Antibiotic use learning from and educating the public’
  • Dr Andrew Singer, Senior Scientist, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology will consider ‘Linking the environment to the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance’
  • Dr Gwyn Jones, Chairman at Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) will discuss ‘The role of agriculture in action on antibiotic resistance’.

You can sign up via Eventbrite.

Roger Harrison, co-lead for the project comments: “The World Health Organisation and the Department for Health believe the rate of deaths due to antibiotic resistance will overtake cancer by 2050. Last year we showed that the University can unite on this global issue, and take positive action to help reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics. This year we launch our Flagship Programme and show how every student and member of staff must respond. Complacency is not an option!”