Vaccine Student Research Network Conference 2024

The Vaccine Student Research Network has recently hosted its inaugural conference at South Kensington campus.

The Imperial Vaccine Student Research Network aims to bridge academic disciplines by bringing together students from across the College to share ideas and research on vaccine-related topics. This approach recognises the value of interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. In the following piece, Network members share their reflections on the group's first conference, which showcased this cross-disciplinary ethos in action.

Last September marked a significant milestone for the Imperial’s Vaccine Student Research Network as it held its inaugural Annual Conference. True to the network's core principles, this event was entirely student-centred, with students taking the lead in both organising and participating. This approach embodied the network's commitment to fostering student-driven initiatives and collaborative learning in the field of vaccine research.

In early 2023, Dr. Maggie Trela was awarded funding by the Graduate School to establish the Vaccine Student Research Network. The network unites students from across the college working in fields related to vaccines, including students from the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Natural Sciences and the Business School, with a representative Student Network Manager within each faculty. The Vaccine Student Research Network's first conference provided a valuable platform for students to break out of their usual research circles. This event encouraged networking and cross-disciplinary collaboration, bringing together students from various departments across the College to share ideas and insights on vaccine research.

The conference was primarily organised and run by student network managers and Imperial students, offering them a rare early-career opportunity. It featured over 12 oral presentations from student researchers. Students also gained valuable experience by chairing sessions and serving on the PhD student-led organising committee (Simon Daniel, Narges Mohammadi, Krunal Polra), enhancing their professional development, and was supported by the academic staff (Prof Christopher Chiu, Dr Jack Olney, Prof Faith Osier, Prof Nilay Shah and Prof Robin Shattock).

The Network’s one-day in person conference took place in the Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington, drawing over 40 student researchers from across the College. Attendees provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, emphasising how valuable the network and its activities are for enhancing research student education and professional growth. After the event, we spoke with Student Network Managers from the Faculty of Engineering, and the Business School to gather their perspectives on the conference's outcomes and impact.

Narges Mohammadi, PhD student and Student Network Manager in the Business School

On the 10th of September, we hosted the Vaccine Student Research Network conference, a highly anticipated event that brought together students and faculty from across Imperial College. As the network’s student manager for the business school since September 2023, I had the privilege of co-organising this conference, which featured over 40 participants from diverse departments. The experience was both challenging and rewarding, allowing me to develop essential skills in coordination, and communication.

Vaccine research encompasses a wide range of topics, from clinical science to policy and economics, and facilitating meaningful discussions required us to carefully manage agendas and expectations. Despite these challenges, the conference proved to be a remarkable success. The diversity of the audience sparked rich discussions, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing complex global health issues.

This event not only provided invaluable networking opportunities for myself and my peers but also fostered a sense of community among students from different departments. By bridging the gap between business, science, and healthcare, we were able to see firsthand how our unique skills and perspectives can contribute to impactful solutions. For the student community, it was an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research while gaining insight into the critical role of management in organising events that connect diverse fields of research on healthcare topics. Overall, organising this event helped me grow as a leader, and it reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling pressing global health problems.

Simon Daniel, PhD student and Student Network Manager in the Faculty of Engineering

I really enjoyed the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the conference we organised. It was a joyful event, with exceptionally engaging and interactive Q&A sessions. Compared to other conferences I have attended, this one had a genuine sense of learning and exchange. As a speaker, I appreciated the opportunity to answer questions beyond my area of expertise and to openly discuss the challenges in the PhD journey with other students.

The event brought together highly curious students, experienced researchers, and academics. I was especially impressed by the maturity and talent of the master’s students, as well as their ability to communicate with a diverse audience. Many novel research projects were presented, and it was refreshing to witness such open discussions at early stage of discoveries.

The diversity of research topics and the variety of talks were also remarkable. Bringing together students from different departments added novel perspectives, allowing us to place vaccine research within a broader context and making new connections between vaccine immunology, development and production. A standout moment was the keynote presentation by Prof. Chris Chiu from the Department of Infectious Diseases. He delivered an accessible and insightful talk on challenge trials in the vaccine field, showcasing the groundbreaking research being conducted at Imperial College and its tangible impact.

Overall, this first event was fulfilling for me as a speaker, attendee, and organiser. It has inspired me to stay engaged with this growing student community and contribute to its development.

The Vaccine Student Research Network would like to extend thanks to the Graduate School and Thermo Fisher Life Technologies for enabling this successful and engaging event, which has significantly enriched the research education of students at Imperial.