Iryna Yakovenko. Photo: Mattias Pettersson
As we see now, democracy requires constant engagement and care, and science, deeply intertwined with it, is no exception. Recent political events and challenges seen during COVID-19 times have highlighted the importance of guarding both. As misinformation spreads quickly, scientists play a crucial role in upholding truth and ensuring that the research continues and thrives.
I am Ira, a postdoc in the Molecular Biology Department and Clinical Microbiology Department. I am developing microfluidic-based single-cell methods for bacterial whole-genome sequencing and single-cell telomere length measurement. Originally from Ukraine, I did my PhD back in Israel. While in Ukraine, I was involved in science popularization, participating in Science Days lectures and working as a biology tutor. My time in Israel was intense and coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, so my science communication efforts, apart from occasional social media posts, were on pause. Last summer, I was lucky to attend a summer school in science communication in Leiden, Netherlands, which sparked back my passion for bringing science to the public.
The school lasted only a week, but it was so packed with activities and inspiring like-minded people that it made time feel eventfully extended. I left with new understanding, fresh motivation, and connections that will stay. When you are in the lab, focused on experiments, writing grants, publishing, and facing failures, it is easy to lose sight of the excitement that first drew you to science. While among the participants of the school – PhDs, postdocs and professors from different fields and countries having different goals but united by the same urge of spreading science, encouraged by others, you suddenly look at your work and go: “Oh, that is cool! That is why I do this!”.
The school’s programme included lectures from science communication experts, ranging from museum professionals to grant writers and startup founders. We also worked on a team project and presented it. And, of course, there was plenty of time for networking and perhaps even saving a local man after falling off his bike – beware while in the Netherlands, people are biking fast!
All students at Leiden summer school in communication gathered for a group photo. Photo: private
As for me, the impact from the summer school has remained. I now take almost every opportunity to present my work locally or at conferences, and occasionally even win prizes. I am also returning to teaching, now here, at Umeå University, something I enjoyed before. I am also an active member of the Umeå Postdoc Society, where we organize many events for postdocs, some of which engage postdocs in spreading their science to the local public.
However, my biggest dream is to publish a popular science book in my field of interest. I would love to publish it in Ukraine, where, despite the war, the book industry and cultural life thrive. I hope it will flourish even more against all odds.
I encourage you to stand up for the truth, communicate science and keep reminding yourself why you are doing it!
PS. The registration to Leiden Summer School in Science Communication 2025 is open and takes place 7-11 July. The deadline to register is 28 March.
Iryna Yakovenko
Postdoc at Johan Henriksson lab and Laura Carroll lab
