Research infrastructure day for medicine, pharmacy and life sciences

The purpose of the day was for researchers in medicine, pharmacy and life sciences to learn more about and get better acquainted with the 35 research infrastructures located in Uppsala, all of which offer high-quality service and support to researchers. While greater awareness and utilisation of the infrastructures could boost our research, it also strengthens grant applications.

Tove Fall, Deputy Dean for Research Infrastructure, was involved in organising the day and prepared the programme with the Research Infrastructure Committee and SciLifeLab in Uppsala.

How did it go?
“It was a very successful day where the infrastructures got to demonstrate what they do to researchers and each other. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from those who attended. They particularly appreciated getting a broad overview and discovering resources they were not previously aware of. We also received many positive comments about the format – short and clear presentations – and about the good atmosphere.”

Was it a good event and what did you do?
“After the welcoming address from the managements of Medfarm and SciLifeLab Uppsala, ultra-short presentations from representatives from the infrastructures were interwoven with inspirational lectures from researchers. During the breaks, there were opportunities to look at exhibitions and to network. During the final panel discussion, we talked about the rapid professionalisation of the infrastructures over the past decade, with employed specialists and clear service offerings. Members of Medfarm’s Research Infrastructure Committee (FISK) moderated the day exceptionally well.”

Is this something you would recommend that other disciplinary domains do?
“In Q&R 2024, for example, it emerged that it would be good to have better knowledge about what the research infrastructures can contribute to the disciplinary domains. I think we need a range of initiatives to get the word out. A day like this is one good way. We’re happy to share our experience with the other disciplinary domains.”

Any ideas and tips you would like to convey to others who are thinking of organising a similar event?
“Book your date well in advance, and put together a committed team to plan and implement the day. In this, the experience of SciLifeLab’s event staff was invaluable. And give very clear instructions to the speakers. It was interesting to ask the infrastructures to nominate researchers themselves as inspirational speakers, and to contribute questions to a quiz. However, we had to run the quiz digitally afterwards due to technical problems on the day.”

Ulrika Hurtig