Education/training
Learning, teaching and training approaches for the molecular life sciences
The FEBS Education 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
In short, the FEBS Education Committee carries out these missions through the FEBS Education Ambassadors, FEBS Education Committee Seasonal Webinars, FEBS Education Workshops, FEBS-sponsored Ambassador Education Events, FEBS Network, and education activities at FEBS Congresses as well as events run jointly with FEBS bodies such as the Advanced Courses Committee, the Working Group on the Careers of Young Scientists, and the Working Group on Integration.
FEBS Education Events 2021
FEBS Education Committee Seasonal Webinars
This series is aimed at disseminating evidence and best practice examples related to teaching and learning in the molecular life sciences. Every 4 months, FEBS Education Committee hosts a free webinar with distinguished speakers on education.
Spring webinar:
‘The pandemic brain: science and strategies for optimal learning’, Janet N. Zadina, USA
10 March 2021
Summer webinar:
‘How to improve the evaluation of Technology Enhanced Learning interventions', John Sandars, UK
2 June 2021
Autumn webinar:
‘The STEM loop: how a teaching and learning department can support science education in universities’, Jim O'Mahony, Ireland
2 December 2021
FEBS Education Ambassadors Meeting
The 5th FEBS Education Ambassadors Meeting took place as a virtual half-day event on 20 May 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic (see picture below). For more information about FEBS Education Ambassadors, see the section after events.
FEBS Education Joint Workshop
A Biochemical Society and FEBS Training Event: Evolving Molecular Bioscience Education
This joint workshop, organized with the Biochemical Society (UK), took place as a virtual event on 27–28 May 2021. It included lectures, group discussions and poster presentations for best practice and novel ideas in molecular bioscience higher education. More details here.
Education Activities at the FEBS Congress
FEBS Education Committee organized three activities at the virtual 45th FEBS Congress:
(1) A FEBS Education plenary lecture from Bruce Alberts on 'Why science education is more important than most scientists think'
(2) FEBS/IUBMB Education Sessions:
Session 1 – Learning and the brain: Translating the science of learning to educational practice
July 6; Chairs: Ferhan G. Sağın, Turkey; Angel Herráez, Spain
• 'Exploring new horizons in education: using multiple pathways to enhance and energize science instruction', Janet Zadina, USA
• 'Implementing cognitive science and discipline-based education research in the undergraduate science classroom', Ido Davidesco, USA
• Small-group discussions
Session 2 – You should... I should… – Let’s clarify our roles and responsibilities in PhD education
July 7; Chairs: Jerka Dumić, Croatia; Jason Perret, Belgium
• 'Expectations of professionalism in doctoral education in an ever-changing academic world', Robert Harris, Sweden
• 'The postdoc experience - hopes, fears, expectations and reality', Geula Hanin, UK
• Panel discussion
(3) Posters on education
FEBS-sponsored Event of FEBS Education Ambassadors
Better skills for better jobs: Excellent Lab Book for an excellent career
Organizers: Igor Stuparević, Morana Dulić and Nino Sinčić (University of Zagreb, Croatia); Antonija Jurak Begonja (University of Rijeka, Croatia)
Online event I 11–12 November 2021
Evidence based teaching in your classroom: catalysing student engagement in the biomolecular sciences
Organizers: Manuel João Costa and Rui Oliveira (University of Minho, Portugal)
Online event | 17–18 November 2021. For more information visit the Joint FEBS/SPB/UMinho Symposium site.
FEBS Education Ambassadors
FEBS Education Ambassadors is a unique structure in which FEBS Constituent Societies have one appointed member as a representative. Education Ambassadors use a special mail group, as well as the FEBS Education Platform and the FEBS Network to exchange ideas and communicate all issues on education. The Ambassadors also meet once a year for a 1.5-day event, sponsored by FEBS, to share progress and ideas on educational issues across Europe.
An Education section in FEBS Open Bio
Following a proposal from the FEBS Education 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. For further details, including about the appointed Editors, peer review and how to submit, see the FEBS Open Bio editorial announcing this initiative. Publication costs will be covered by FEBS.
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. The Educator channel is overseen by a member of the FEBS Education Committee. If you would like to contribute a post to the FEBS Network, please contact [email protected]
Resources, reports 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 Committee and supplements general information on the FEBS website, serving to disseminate FEBS education activities and to share resources.
The work of the FEBS Education Committee is reported to FEBS Council and in the FEBS Annual Report. Occasional reports also appear in FEBS News. For enquiries on FEBS Education events (focused on pedagogical issues), please contact Prof. Ferhan G. Sağın, Chair, FEBS Education Committee, via the Contact Us section of the website. For members of the Education Committee, click here.