Prof Hilary Lappin-Scott, OBE, visiting MBI from Cardiff University

President of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies presents an afternoon of talks and discussion on 27th November, 2019

MBI WIS | NOV 2019

Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE is a British microbiologist whose field of research is microbial biofilms. In 2009, Hilary was elected as the second female President of the Society for General Microbiology (SGM) in 70 years and served in this role until 2012. In September 2019 she was elected as President of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), being the first President from the UK. Lappin-Scott received the honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 New Years honours list.

Hilary Lappin-Scott did her postdoctoral work at the University of Calgary, Canada, in the group of Bill Costerton, a pioneer in biofilm research. She moved to a faculty position at the University of Exeter in 1990, where she became a personal Chair in Microbiology in 1999. She has supervised 50 PhD students, edited 7 textbooks and published extensively in the area of microbial biofilms.

Prof Lappin-Scott’s first talk will be a Junior Career Seminar from 2 pm to 3.15 pm (talk and discussion), entitled A life in STEM research, from PhD days to being a learned society President! 

Her second talk will be a Women in Science Seminar from 4 to 5.30 pm (talk and discussion) entitled What works (and what doesn’t work) to increase inclusivity in STEM. A Happy hour and networking opportunity will follow from 5.30 pm onwards at the level 10 foyer, T-Lab.

Professor Lappin-Scott was also Swansea University’s lead for the Equality and Diversity agenda for Athena SWAN and has ensured that every STEM subject has at least a Bronze award. She presented a TED lecture in 2016 titled “MOVE OVER BOYS: Why we need more girls/women in STEM Careers” about gender equality in science. She was awarded the WISE Hero Award by HRH Princess Anne, in 2016, and the Womenspire Chwarae Teg STEM PIONEER Award in 2017, recognising her work in promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) amongst girls and women.

All are invited to this event!