Our Projects
We work on a multitude of projects – both local and global – in collaboration with members of the public, community organisations, arts organisations, and more.
Glasgow Science Festival
Launched in 2007, Glasgow Science Festival (GSF) has grown to be one of the largest science festivals in the UK. GSF takes science events to venues across the city where we engage with around 100,000 people, from all ages and backgrounds, through the June festival and tens of thousands more through our community projects.
Hub Mondays
Hub Mondays take place every second Monday at our Byres Community Hub and are open to all. Come along and take a tour of the building, grab a tea or coffee, and network with university staff, community members, and local organisations on topics related to Health & Wellbeing.
Explorathon
Explorathon is a Scotland-wide festival with the aim of “Making Research Real”. It’s run by a partnership of Scottish universities and celebrates the research happening in our universities through a dynamic programme of free public events. MVLS staff and students play a key role in the programme every year.
Unseen Hands: Putting Lived Experience at the Heart of Research
Unseen Hands is a collaborative project between the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, and Waverley Care. It brings together virologists and people living with blood-borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis, to foster engagement, participation, and the sharing of lived experiences. By breaking down barriers and encouraging open dialogue, the project aims to address stigma and inform research practice.
Living Lab
The Living Laboratory aims to inspire, inform, and empower people to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of healthcare. We do this by connecting with communities through interactive workshops and hands-on activities that bring the science behind our projects to life.
Our team also raises awareness of diverse STEM career paths, helping students access learning and skills development opportunities to turn their aspirations into reality. We are committed to collaborating closely with local residents, community groups, and housing associations to ensure their voices shape the innovative healthcare solutions we develop.
Germs Galore
Germs Galore is a community engagement project run by Dr Tansy Hammarton, which teaches children and young people about how germs cause disease and how best to treat them. It provides insight into what goes on in a lab, allowing children to mimic some of the real-life processes used by scientists.
Amplify Public Engagement Training Programme
Amplify is a funded training scheme with the Glasgow Science Centre, which tasks our researchers with producing a public-facing exhibit or public engagement activity related to their academic area. The winner of the first phase of the Amplify project, ‘Bat Viruses: Behind the Scenes’ is now an exhibition which is running at the Glasgow Science Centre, investigating viruses carried by bats which can infect humans.
Parasite Street Science
Parasite Street Science is a project which aims to increase awareness of African Sleeping Sickness – a disease caused by parasites – through the means of street theatre. The team have delivered participatory theatre performances across Scotland, and in communities in Malawi – together with local medical staff, performers, and members of the community.