Simon Carding speaking at the Assembly Rooms in Norwich

We support a culture of public engagement, reflecting the central importance of food and health to everyone’s life.

Supported by the institute’s specialist engagement and communications team, scientists are encouraged and supported to engage with the public, schools, patient groups and primary, secondary and community care groups.

The Quadram Institute building embeds engagement with the public and patient groups within our working environment on a day-to-day basis, presenting us with exciting opportunities to listen to the needs, aspirations and concerns of the tens of thousands of visitors, patients and trial participants that attend the Quadram Institute each year, and share our science. We want to create an environment for all of our visitors that triggers curiosity, inspires and educates.

Within the Quadram Institute building and grounds we have a reception, café, atrium and garden, where stakeholder communities, researchers and clinicians can come together for two-way dialogue, creative engagement, art-meets-science collaborations and science communication.

We build upon these engagement opportunities to forge links with appropriate organisations to facilitate wider public dialogue at the national and international level.

Quadram in the community

Our staff present talks to local and national community groups and associations on a range of food and health related topics relevant to our research programme.

  • If you would like a member of staff to give a talk on a particular issue or to speak in general about our work please email info@quadram.ac.uk

An event held in Norwich gave the public a chance to hear about some of the biomedical research being undertaken on the debilitating condition ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis).

The event was jointed hosted by ourselves and Invest in ME Research, a charity promoting biomedical research and education into ME, which is aiming to establish a UK centre of excellence, to improve ME diagnosis and coordinate research into treatments and cures.

Crowdfunding by Invest in ME and supporters has enabled PhD studentships hosted at QI and UEA, as well as sponsoring medical students to learn more about ME and promote future research.

Our scientists regularly visit schools, following invitations, or through interactions with organisations such as the Teacher Scientist Network or STEMNET.

  • Contact us if you are interested in arranging a visit to your school.

We participate in science festivals, such as the Norwich Science Festival, as well as exhibitions, science cafes, talks and educational activities.

QI and the media

The Quadram Institute encourages and supports its scientists to engage with print, broadcast, trade and online media, as a key way to communicate our science to the widest audience and to provide expert comment and context on issues relevant to our science.

QI on Social Media

You can engage with us and our research on our social media channels, which are a key way of keeping up to date on our news and activities.

Subscribe to our email mailing list

QI Artist in Residence

In 2019 the first Artist in Residence joined the Quadram Institute on a mission to enable scientists and the public to explore microbial science by making art. Jennie Pedley’s residency with the Quadram Institute was funded with money from the government and the National Lottery by Arts Council England, by Norfolk County Council and was supported by the SAW (Science Art and Writing) trust and Norwich Science Festival.

Workshops brought together scientists and the general public in local libraries, schools and in the QI. Jennie presented an exhibition based on these and the entirety of the Quadram Institute’s research at the 2019 Norwich Science Festival. You can join in too! Download or screenshot this image of the gut and doodle on it and share it with us on Twitter or Instagram using #artofthegut What do you see in the image? What would you add? Make it into something, maybe have a look around our website for inspiration, or just add patterns, the choice is yours.

MicroBattle: Microbiology Themed Card Game

MicroBattle Project was funded by the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) Public Engagement Grant 2020-2021.

MicroBattle (µB) is a competitive card game with the aim to win battles of simulated microbial biofilm growth against your opponent. You can choose from many microbes (in the form of Microbe Cards) and many growth conditions (in the form of Battle Cards) and customize your path to victory.

Biofilms mark a dramatic change in the life cycle of many microorganisms.

The Aim of the Game: Take it in turns to reach 15 biofilm growth counters for your microbe before your opponent (2-4 players). A game has three “Battles” – with the best of 3 Battles determining the winner.

To Play the Game:

  1. Download all the folders containing the necessary files.
  2. Consult the Guidebook for details on rules and how to play.
  3. Construct your own MicroBattle Deck using the image files and template within (or use one of the premade card packs).
  4. Print out your deck(s).
  5. Cut and assemble the cards.
  6. Play in person, remotely or against yourself.

MicroBattle 2020-2021 1st Edition (free to download!)

Battle Cards (Zip Folder)

Microbe Cards (Zip Folder)

MicroBattle Game Board

MicroBattle Guidebook

MicroBattle Deck Templates:

Aquatic Microbe Pack

Archaea Pack

Custom Pack Template

Gut Symbiont Pack

Pathogen Pack

Plant Microbe Pack

Soil Microbe Pack