Purpose of the UK Pandemic Sciences Network
The UK’s science and innovation led approach to COVID-19 has delivered major national and global benefits at record speed. This has leveraged expertise and capabilities from across a wide range of leading UK universities, academic institutions, and life science companies. To build upon this and improve responsiveness to future pandemic risks we are forming a UK Pandemic Sciences Network.
The UK Pandemic Sciences Network (UKPSN) brings together the UK’s leading universities and pandemic science research teams to support the delivery of the 100 days mission and improve pandemic preparedness both in the UK and globally. The ultimate purpose of the network is to help protect people and society from epidemic and pandemic infectious diseases through scientific discovery and innovation.
The Pandemic Institute will be hosting the UK Pandemic Sciences Network Annual Meeting on 5-6 September 2023.
For more information on the meeting and the network, please email contact@thepandemicinstitute.org.
Key People
Cambridge: Sharon Peacock, Derek Smith
Crick: Steve Gamblin
Edinburgh: Moira Whyte, Kenneth Baillie
Glasgow: Massimo Palmarini
Imperial: Wendy Barclay, Paul Kellam, Azra Ghani, Graham Cooke
LSHTM: Graham Medley, John Edmunds
Liverpool: Tom Solomon, Matthew Baylis, Calum Semple, David Lalloo, Emily Adams
Oxford: Peter Horby, Sarah Gilbert, Miles Carrol, David Bartle
Warwick: Matthew Keeling
Scope
The UK Pandemic Sciences Network brings together the UK’s leading universities and pandemic science research teams to support the delivery of the 100 days mission and improve pandemic preparedness both in the UK and globally. The ultimate purpose of the network is to help protect people and society from epidemic and pandemic infectious diseases through scientific discovery and innovation.
The UK Pandemic Sciences Network will focus on building collaboration and prioritisation across the UK to ensure impact in strategically important areas, guided by the overarching framework of the 100 days mission to respond to future pandemic threats.
In addition, the Network will:
• Support the UK pandemic sciences community to establish more connections and enhance collaboration, both directly and with other related disciplines.
• Act as a convening body and focal point for academic interaction with HM Government, the UK Health Security Agency and industry.
• Produce an annual state of the nation report on what is happening in UK pandemic sciences, including ongoing horizon scanning and identification of gaps and opportunities in UK pandemic science provision.
• Deliver an annual UK pandemic sciences conference and regular training/seminar series to support connectivity and skills development
• Establish urgent response or task and finish groups to tackle specific / emerging issues
Governance
The Network will be governed by nominated representatives from member organisations through three core committees:
• Management board: Responsible for overseeing the operations and activities of the Network
• Events forum: Responsible for the planning and delivery of conferences and Network events
• Scientific Advisory Board: Provides direction on the Network priorities and responsible for horizon scanning and delivery of scientific reports.
The Network meets in person on an annual basis. The Pandemic Institute are hosting the forthcoming meeting for 2023 on 5-6 September. For more details please email contact@thepandemicinstitute.org.
PARTNERS
