Page 35 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2023

RESEARCH NEWS

RVC takes a leading role in Knowledge

Exchange by connecting capabilities to tackle

infectious diseases

n the 2019 edition of Eclipse, and Tropical Medicine, The London • Mathematical modelling and decision-
we first reported on the launch of School of Economics and Political making tools for public health
The Bloomsbury SET Knowledge Science, SOAS – University of London, • Using machine learning and big
IExchange programme, involving the Infection Innovation Consortium data to understand challenges of
universities in London – and in the 2021 (iiCON) at the Liverpool School of infectious disease
edition, we celebrated extending our Tropical Medicine, together with
partnership to include colleagues at the colleagues from the London International • Taking a Citizen Science approach
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Development Centre. to measure the occurrence of
As the programme closes, we reflect on From 2018-2022, working in partnership resistant bacteria in selected
the key role the RVC played in enabling with academia, industry, policymakers, mammals and wildlife
collaboration between universities, and practitioners internationally, this • Arts and humanities approach to
and with external stakeholders, to consortium enabled research and the tackling infectious diseases and AMR
progress translational research related translation of knowledge into wider
to interdisciplinary animal and human benefits for society. Additionally, a varied series of events and
health challenges. training were used to upskill colleagues,
Alongside STEM-specific projects whilst highlighting examples of our
The Bloomsbury SET (Science, on infectious disease and AMR, the translational research capabilities and
Economics, Technology) innovation Bloomsbury SET programme also connecting our researchers with industry.
partnership brought together higher supported interdisciplinary teams from the Sandpit events also aimed to harness
education institutions (HEIs) with a consortium to focus a social science lens creative thinking and innovative ways to
strong reputation in creating an enduring on issues, through knowledge exchange approach a problem, bringing together
impact from their research to collaborate projects that utilised innovative visual art, academics and industry professionals
on addressing global challenges of design and storytelling methods. from different disciplines.
infectious disease and antimicrobial
resistance (AMR). More than £5 million of the programme Under the RVC’s leadership, the
budget was used to directly support consortium has achieved wide-ranging
This £6.9 million programme, awarded a range of projects, based both at the outputs and ongoing impacts, which will
through Research England’s Connecting RVC and at HEIs across the consortium. continue to result in further benefits in
Capability Fund, was led by the Types of activities funded included: combatting infectious disease and AMR.
Knowledge Exchange team within the
Research and Innovation Office at • ‘Product’ development (e.g. new To find out more, visit
the RVC. Partners in the programme vaccines, diagnostics, disease control rvc.uk.com/the-bloomsbury-set
included The London School of Hygiene equipment, and drug candidates)

Photo: Peter Holloway 35