Bringing Microbiology to schools across the west of Scotland
Published: 2 November 2026
Microbiology staff have been visiting schools across the west of Scotland as part of a new outreach initiative, led by Dr Liam Rooney in collaboration with Professor Nicola Veitch and Dr Ainsley Beaton.
Microbiology staff from the School of Infection & Immunity have been visiting schools across the west of Scotland as part of a new outreach initiative, led by Dr Liam Rooney in collaboration with Professor Nicola Veitch and Dr Ainsley Beaton.
The initiative introduces senior Biology pupils to microbiology and opportunities to study the subject at the University of Glasgow.
Designed to support pupils ahead of the UCAS application period, the visits explore a subject that is not routinely covered in detail within Scottish Higher Biology, Higher Human Biology or Advanced Higher Biology.
The aim has been to give pupils a clearer sense of what microbiology is, why it matters, what studying it at university involves, and where a microbiology degree can take them.
So far, the team has engaged with 20 schools across a wide geographical area, with visits stretching from Mallaig to Motherwell and reaching pupils across a range of school contexts and demographics.
Research-active academics from across Sii have delivered short, accessible sessions introducing pupils to microbiology, university life, current research and career opportunities.
Describing one of the interactive activities used during the visits, Dr Beaton said: "I designed a card-based game where the pupils followed the process of microbiological testing to identify organisms from 'patient samples'.
"Over two schools, six classes of senior biology students took part and enjoyed using the experimental results cards to deduce their mystery organism and give a diagnosis."
Feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive, and further visits are still scheduled ahead of the UCAS deadline in early 2027.
Schools interested in future visits can contact Dr Rooney: liam.rooney@glasgow.ac.uk.
Find out more about studying Microbiology at the University of Glasgow.
First published: 2 November 2026