OVERVIEW

The FEBS Education and Training Committee has the mission of promoting biochemistry and molecular biology education and training at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. To realize this objective:

1. We provide leadership in training activities to increase the knowledge and skills of educators
2. We support and encourage the development of innovative teaching methods and educational resources
3. We organize activities and workshops designed to strategically improve education in the molecular life sciences
4. We disseminate good education policies, exchange ideas and share good practices through FEBS Education Ambassadors
5. We distribute grants to support educational activities
6. We arrange education sessions at each FEBS Congress

FEBS Education Events

The FEBS Education and Training Committee supports a range of events, described below, to meet its objectives. Please also visit the Education events page for specific details on upcoming and recent FEBS Education events.

FEBS Education and Training Joint Workshops

These are workshops of up to 2 days that can be co-organized with FEBS Constituent Societies to promote high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate education in the molecular life sciences in different countries of the FEBS area. These can cover various topical issues, including postgraduate education, problem-based learning, designing laboratory practicals, and key scientific skills. For Constituent Societies interested in hosting such education workshops, the Society President, or FEBS Education Ambassador for the Society with the President, should contact Prof. Ferhan G. Sağin, Chair, FEBS Education and Training Committee, via the Contact section of the website to discuss training needs.

FEBS Education and Training Supported Society Events

FEBS offers up to €2000 Euro to support up to four in-person education events a year organized by members of FEBS Constituent Societies, such as an education session at the Society’s national congress, or face-to-face training. In the case of online courses, the support is up to €750 Euro. The main organizers can be any member of the Society. For 2025 events, there are two calls: 15 December 2024 for events taking place Jan–Jun 2025, and 15 June 2025 for events taking place Jul–Dec 2025. Applications for this funding must be made to the FEBS Education and Training Committee via this application form. See this FEBS website news post for more details on the 2025 call.

FEBS Education and Training Conference

This is a biennial Molecular Life Sciences Education and Training Conference held for the first time in 2024, at Antalya, Türkiye. The aim of this 3 day event is to bring together senior and junior scientists and educators from all over the world to share their expertise and learn from each other.

The conference provides an innovative and welcoming forum to discuss the pressing need for educational transformation in response to rapid technological advancements, societal shifts, and the changing scientific landscape. The learning opportunities include panel discussions, plenary lectures, invited talks, specialized satellite symposiums, certified FEBS Education and Training Academy workshops, regular workshops, short presentations, and poster presentations. You can read an overview of the first FEBS Education and Training Conference, written by one of the participants for the FEBS Network’s Educator channel.

FEBS Education and Training Seasonal Webinars

These are online events usually held 4 times a year (spring, summer, autumn and winter webinars) with the aim of raising awareness and sharing good practices in undergraduate and postgraduate education in the molecular life sciences. These events are open to everyone interested and they are usually advertised on the Education events page and other FEBS platforms and social media.

FEBS Education and Training at other events

• Education sessions at the FEBS Congress, occasionally jointly delivered with other organizations.
• Committee members may additionally contribute on education matters at other FEBS-supported events such as the FEBS Young Scientists’ Forum and FEBS Advanced Courses.

FEBS Education Ambassadors

FEBS Constituent Societies appoint one member as a representative to be part of the Ambassadors. They communicate through online platforms and meet in person to exchange ideas on all issues on education and participate in joint development of education-related initiatives.

FEBS Education Award

On its 60th anniversary year, FEBS has launched the prestigious FEBS Education Award to highlight and honour an educator with a distinguished teaching and training career path in the field of molecular life sciences. Exemplary dedication to enhance the quality of student learning and experience along with a track record of applying impactful and innovative approaches in advancing learning and teaching within the realm of molecular life sciences are the main pillars. Through this award, FEBS not only aims to recognize and celebrate sustained and continued excellence and impact in molecular life sciences education and training but also to inspire others in fostering engaging, creative, and transformative educational experiences for students. Nomination is by a FEBS Constituent Society or self nomination along with a support letter of the Society.

We are delighted to announce the inaugural recipient of the FEBS Education Award is Prof. Robert A. Harris, nominated by the Swedish Society for Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (SSBBMB). Read the news post about the recipient here.

FEBS Education Academy

This initiative champions excellence and innovation in science and research by fostering education and training skills of current and future educators in the molecular life sciences. By combining excellent teachers, innovative, executive style teaching formats, interactive and online learning tools, the Academy designs and delivers a variety of in-person and online training programs which provide the cutting-edge knowledge and skills necessary for delivering innovative and effective teaching & training in all disciplines of life sciences.

An Education section in FEBS Open Bio

Following a proposal from the FEBS Education and Training Committee, the open access journal FEBS Open Bio began a new section devoted to original and valuable publications in biochemical and molecular life sciences education. The overall aim of this initiative is to foster good educational practices, stimulate the development of innovative teaching methods, and disseminate advice on educational techniques and resources. Find further details and recent articles, on the FEBS Open Bio education section.

An Educator channel on the FEBS Network

One section of the FEBS Network is dedicated to blog-style posts on teaching approaches and resources for lecturers and tutors in the molecular life sciences, as well as announcements on education activities.  If you would like to contribute a post to the FEBS Network Educator channel, please contact [email protected]

Resources and enquiries

For resources from FEBS Education events, please visit the FEBS Education Platform at: www.febs-edu.eu. The FEBS Education Platform is maintained by the FEBS Education and Training Committee and supplements general information on the FEBS website, serving to disseminate FEBS education activities and to share resources.

For enquiries on FEBS Education events (focused on pedagogical issues), please contact Prof. Ferhan G. Sağın, Chair, FEBS Education and Training Committee, via the Contact section of the website. For members of the Education and Training Committee, click here.