Colleagues from academia, public health, government, the NHS and industry came together in Liverpool last week for The Pandemic Institute Scientific Meeting 2025, a two-day gathering focused on advancing partnership working for pandemic preparedness. Hosted at the Victoria Gallery & Museum, Liverpool, the event showcased the some of the recent research funded by The Pandemic Institute, as well as policy thinking, exploring the role industry plays, and the ongoing work in diagnostic, therapeutic, and vaccine readiness.

The opening day featured a keynote from Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is currently playing a key role in the delivery of Exercise PEGASUS – the UK’s largest-ever pandemic simulation. Professor Hopkins emphasised the critical role of academia in shaping pandemic preparedness, highlighting the need for science to be embedded at every stage of prevention, detection, and response.

“Predicting pandemics and epidemics is hard. We can model, we can monitor, we can map risk. But biology always surprises us. Academia has important roles to play in almost every single aspect of pandemic preparedness and response.”

She also underscored the importance of working in genuine partnership.

“We hold the tools; we hold the knowledge. What matters is how we use them effectively together. The Pandemic Institute meeting provides an opportunity to strengthen our collective approach to pandemic preparedness, and ensure we are ready to face the challenges of the future.”

Further sessions explored innovations in disease detection and diagnosis, advances in therapeutics, and the role of industry and academia in ensuring vaccines are developed, manufactured, and distributed equitably.

Professor Tom Solomon, Director of The Pandemic Institute, said:

“The last two days have shown just how much can be achieved when experts from across disciplines come together. The discussions, from the lab bench to community engagement, reflect our shared mission of making sure Liverpool – and the UK – is at the forefront of pandemic preparedness. Seeing the progress made by TPI investigators in collaboration with some of our major partners like CSL Seqirus, Dstl, and UKHSA was really encouraging.”

Alongside lab-based research, the meeting explored communication and public trust, recognising that effective response relies not only on tools but also on people. On day two, Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health at Liverpool City Council, gave a talk on the importance of open, honest, and inclusive communication with the public.

“Pandemic preparedness is not just about PPE, vaccines, mass testing centres, and surveillance – it’s about clarity, credibility, and connection. Because in a crisis, the right message, delivered the right way, can be as powerful as any medicine.”

“Pandemic Preparedness isn’t just about stockpiling PPE – it’s about stockpiling trust. We can’t wait for a crisis to start speaking clearly. The time to build trust is before the first case. The most powerful message is not the loudest – it’s the one that’s heard, understood, and trusted.”

The conference closed with a panel discussion on inclusive public health communication, exploring lessons from recent health emergencies and practical approaches for ensuring communities are heard and supported in times of crisis. We’d like to thank all the attendees, speakers, poster presenters and   sponsors who came and made the event so memorable.