Outreach and EDI

BeCurious - 13th May 2023

Each year the University of Leeds hosts BeCurious Live, a family-friendly event showcasing the research happening across the university. This year, 1,600 attended the event, which is the largest audience since the event began.

The YBA lab stall 'What have plants got to do with it?' was dedicated to plant cell walls, and was hosted by current and visiting lab members. An interactive plasmodesmata model provided children with the opportunity to gain an understanding of plasmodesmata and their regulatory mechanisms. In addition, children were able to examine tomato plant cells up-close under a microscope. And finally, a clay modelling activity revealed more about plant cells and their structure.

GarNet Webinar (5/5/2020)

Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso presented the research of the group in the first GarNet webinar attended by more than 400 people.

A recording is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ9lZzksnsU

Equality and Inclusion

Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso is the equality and inclusion coordinator for the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds and member of the Athena Swam committee.

We undertake a number of activities to engage the community in promoting the value of Diversity in Science and act as a voice for the minority groups.

Engage by following our twitter page @faces_of_FBS and check our website

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in Plant Sciences

We are proud founders and supporters of Black in Plant Sciences. A network to connect, celebrate, and cultivate UK-based Black Plant Scientists. The aim is creating a community that provides support to existing and aspiring plant scientists, celebrates their achievements, and mentors the next generation to increase diversity.

Connect at https://blackinplantscience.org/

Twitter: @BlackInPlantSci
LinkedIn: Black In Plant Science UK

For general enquiries, partnerships and collaborations:
Please email us at: info@blackinplantscience.org

The Cultural Institute, Creative labs and Plasmodesmata

A video of the event can be accessed here.

Watch from minute 12 and tell us what you think!

Engaging the scientific communities

Following an award from the Newton Fund and the British Council, the Legumes for Life workshop was celebrated from 2-4 of May, 2018 at the beautiful Stiαs Centre in Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Y. Benitez-Alfonso participated in this workshop and created a Blog to share with all the scientific community.

Check our journey at Legumes for Life 2018

Engaging industrial networks

We are active participants in the BBSRC Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy Network LBNet

We have also recently secured funding from EPSRC Impact Acceleration Accounts to work with the global company Futamura.

Stay tune for more news!

Reaching to the general public and building the next generation

We contribute to events such as Discovery day, University Open days, Fascination for Plant Day, etc. to engage with the public and communicate our research. Do not forget to stop by our stands! There is always something exciting!

We are always open to suggestions for more engagement opportunities. If you have an idea please connect with us by sending an email to y.benitez-alfonso@leeds.ac.uk