The Pandemic Institute has held the first meeting of its new Public Steering Group, opening up a discussion around emerging infections and pandemics.

The first meeting, held in The Spine Liverpool, was run in collaboration with Glenn Skelhorn from The Thinker Hub CIC, who run community discussion groups focussing on ‘big’ questions and themes. The Covid-19 pandemic underlined the importance of public opinion and communities in the response and recovery of society, and this group aims to create a direct connection between the public and pandemic research. The meeting began with a presentation by Director Professor Tom Solomon CBE, which looked at the history of Liverpool as place of excellence in infectious diseases research and also the work of The Pandemic Institute including our five main research pillars and plans for a new Pandemic Preparedness and Response facility. The group then worked together to decide on topics around pandemics and emerging infections they think will be important to discuss going forward.

The group will meet four times a year to discuss current research from The Pandemic Institute, and also topics set by the group, including how we can better prepare for future emerging infections and pandemics, how to decide what information can be trusted, and what research we should prioritise particularly around how communities respond to and recover from pandemics.

The group is currently fully subscribed, but if you are interested in future opportunities please get in touch on [email protected], or sign up to our newsletter below.