National microscopy society aims to boost science in Wales
A national Society to support microscopy in Wales and strengthen scientific collaboration across the country is launching in Cardiff next Tuesday (19 May).
Cymdeithas Figrosgopical Cymru/The Welsh Microscopical Society (WMS) will officially come into being at a special networking event on Tuesday, at Cardiff University. The meeting will bring together microscope users, researchers, industry representatives and other key stakeholders. Chief Scientific Advisor for the Welsh Government, Professor Jas Pal Badyal FRS, will also be speaking at the launch.
The aim of the Society is to unite the microscopy community across Wales, showcase national research infrastructure and foster collaboration across research, industry, education, and public engagement.
“Unlocking potential”
Wales has significant microscopy expertise distributed across major institutes, but until now, has lacked a regional national network such as the RMS, Microscopy Society of Ireland (MSI) or Scottish Microscopy Society (SMS).
The idea for the WMS grew out of a question posed by a Welsh - American RMS member: how can we help make Wales a scientific powerhouse? The country is often an undervalued and less well-known part of the UK in terms of what is available for the scientific community, and there is significant potential to be unlocked as a result.
Myfanwy Adams, a post-doctoral scientist and founding committee member for the WMS, said: “Microscopy and its associated imaging technologies underpin research and innovation across numerous sectors. Establishing this society is critical to unify a highly skilled but geographically dispersed community.
“Wales already has exceptional expertise and facilities. We hope to create a platform that supports collaboration, strengthens advocacy, and helps develop the infrastructure, visibility, and long-term resilience needed to support research and development across the life sciences, physical sciences, and wider STEM landscape in Wales.”
Next steps
The WMS is being launched with administrative support from the RMS, but is envisaged as an independent, member-based Society, with its own decision-making body. Those attending the launch either in person or virtually, will become part of a growing database of interested members, and further work to increase the new society's membership base will take place in due course.